CHAPTER 3 — A Promise Worth More Than Money
Alex purchased every basket of vegetables, peppers, and spices at the stall.
Then he quietly instructed his assistant,
"Pay every vendor whose business was interrupted today."
"No bargaining."
"No publicity."
The assistant nodded.
Within minutes, dozens of surprised shop owners found their entire day's earnings doubled.
Pretty looked suspicious.
"You're trying to buy forgiveness."
Alex answered honestly.
"No."
"I'm trying to repair the damage."
She considered his answer for several long seconds.
"That's... acceptable."
Ify finally found her voice.
"You don't have to do all this."
Alex looked around the market.
"When I was her age," he said softly, "my mother sold vegetables too."
The words stunned everyone.
"She worked until her hands bled."
"I promised myself that if I ever became powerful, no hardworking person would suffer because of me."
Pretty blinked.
"Then... somewhere along the way..."
"You forgot?"
Alex lowered his head.
May you like
"Yes."
For the first time in years, he admitted it aloud.
