Chapter 3: The Man Behind the Gloves
An uncomfortable silence settled over the courtyard.
Ethan Ashcroft followed Arthur Bennett's gaze toward the mansion windows. Behind the glass, several members of the Board of Directors stood motionless, their expressions unreadable.
For a brief moment, Ethan felt a strange knot form in his stomach.
Then he laughed.
"They're watching because this reception is important," he said confidently. "Not because of you."
Arthur offered a small nod.
"If that's what you believe."
Without another word, he picked up his tools and walked toward the greenhouse, leaving Ethan standing alone in the courtyard.
Something about the gardener's calmness irritated Ethan far more than any insult could have.
Inside the mansion, Richard Holloway quietly closed the curtains.
"He never lost his temper," he observed.
Margaret Collins folded her arms.
"Not once."
Richard looked toward the ballroom where Ethan was once again entertaining investors.
"A person who enjoys humiliating someone with no power will eventually do the same to people who do."
Margaret nodded.
"And that's exactly what worries me."
Behind the estate, Arthur entered the greenhouse.
The warm air carried the scent of jasmine, lavender, and freshly watered soil. It was the only place on the property where complete silence still existed.
He removed his gloves and carefully opened the leather folder.
Inside were several neatly organized documents.
On top lay a single handwritten note.
Everything is ready whenever you decide.
Arthur read it only once before placing it back inside.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"May I come in?"
Arthur smiled without looking up.
"You never have to ask, Daniel."
The greenhouse door opened, and the middle-aged chauffeur stepped inside.
Unlike earlier, his posture was no longer that of an employee.
It resembled someone addressing a respected superior.
"They're becoming suspicious," Daniel said quietly.
"They should."
"The Board has requested a private meeting this evening."
Arthur closed the folder.
"I expected as much."
"They also asked whether you intend to reveal everything today."
Arthur walked toward a blooming white orchid before answering.
"No."
Daniel looked surprised.
"Not yet?"
Arthur gently touched one of the petals.
"A lesson carries more weight when people arrive at the truth themselves."
Daniel smiled.
"You always were patient."
Arthur chuckled.
"Years of gardening will teach anyone patience."
Meanwhile, inside the ballroom, Ethan accepted congratulations from investors as photographers snapped pictures.
"You'll make an outstanding chairman one day," one guest said.
Ethan grinned.
"That's exactly what my grandfather wanted."
Just then, his assistant hurried over, looking unusually nervous.
"Mr. Ashcroft..."
"What?"
"The Board has canceled your afternoon presentation."
Ethan frowned.
"What do you mean canceled?"
"They've scheduled an executive session instead."
"No one told me."
"They specifically requested that only directors attend."
Ethan's smile faded.
"They can't hold a Board meeting without informing me."
"I'm sorry, sir."
The assistant hesitated.
"They already have."
Across the estate, whispers spread among the staff.
Emily found Thomas, the elderly groundskeeper who had worked at Ashcroft Manor longer than anyone else.
"Can I ask you something?"
Thomas looked up from his wheelbarrow.
"Of course."
"Who is Arthur Bennett?"
Thomas froze.
His weathered face suddenly became serious.
"Why do you ask?"
"The Board keeps watching him."
"A chauffeur delivered confidential papers."
"And Mr. Holloway nodded to him."
Thomas glanced toward the greenhouse before lowering his voice.
"When I first came here twenty-four years ago, Arthur was already working these gardens."
"So?"
"I once asked the former owner why he trusted Arthur more than anyone."
Emily leaned closer.
"What did he say?"
Thomas repeated the words exactly as he remembered them.
'One day you'll discover that some people protect a company without ever sitting behind a desk.'
Emily stared at him.
"What does that mean?"
Thomas slowly shook his head.
"I've spent twenty-four years trying to figure that out."
Late that afternoon, Richard Holloway entered the private Board conference room.
One by one, the directors took their seats.
No one spoke.
Finally, Margaret placed a thick envelope in the center of the polished table.
"The independent investigation is complete."
Richard looked around the room.
"Then let's begin."
Margaret opened the file.
The first page contained dozens of complaints against Ethan Ashcroft.
Harassment.
Intimidation.
Abuse of employees.
Financial misconduct.
Each accusation was backed by evidence.
Richard turned another page.
Then another.
His expression grew darker with every document.
Finally, he looked toward the closed conference room door.
"It appears today's incident wasn't an exception."
Margaret quietly nodded.
"No."
"It was simply the first time someone important happened to be watching."
Outside the conference room, Arthur Bennett walked calmly through the garden, watering the roses Ethan had crushed that morning.
He never glanced toward the mansion.
He didn't need to.
May you like
For the first time in years, the truth had begun to bloom on its own.
And by sunrise, the man everyone believed was nothing more than a humble gardener would become the center of the most important decision in Ashcroft Group's history.
