The receptionist’s smile vanished.

The golden card trembled between the old man’s fingers, but his voice became calmer than before.

The employee looked confused. “Sir, you don’t have to give me anything.”

The old man shook his head.

“You gave me dignity before you knew my name.”

He turned the card over.

The salon fell completely silent.

Embossed across the front was the logo of the largest luxury hotel chain in the city.

The receptionist stepped closer, suddenly pale.

The old man looked at the kind employee and said, “I came here looking for someone honest.”

He placed the card in the employee’s hand.

“My hotels need a new grooming director. The salary starts tomorrow.”

The employee froze.

The receptionist whispered, “Sir… we didn’t know.”

The old man looked at her gently, but his eyes were cold.

“That was the test.”