Aaron Steel stepped into the private elevator without saying a word.
The silver doors slid shut behind him, shutting out the noise of the hospital.
His assistant, Ethan Brooks, stood quietly beside him, tablet in hand.
No one dared speak first.
Everyone who worked with Aaron knew one thing.
Silence did not make him uncomfortable.
It made everyone else uncomfortable.
A few moments later, Aaron broke the silence.
"The cleaner."
Ethan looked up.
"Yes, sir?"
"The one who spilled the water."
"I've already asked Human Resources to identify her."
Aaron gave a slight nod before returning his gaze to the elevator doors.
It wasn't the accident that had caught his attention.
Accidents happened.
What interested him was her reaction.
She hadn't cried.
She hadn't begged for forgiveness.
She hadn't blamed another employee.
She simply admitted her mistake.
That was... unusual.
Meanwhile...
Celina was still scrubbing the hallway floor.
Her supervisor finally walked over.
"Celina."
She immediately stood.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You were lucky."
"Lucky?"
"If Mr. Steel had complained, you could have lost your job today."
Celina lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
The supervisor sighed.
"I know you're one of our hardest workers. Just... be more careful."
"I will."
As the supervisor walked away, Mia rushed over.
"You survived!"
Celina laughed.
"Why is everyone acting like I escaped a lion?"
"Because you practically did!"
The two women laughed together before returning to work.
An hour later...
Aaron's inspection continued.
Every department head presented reports.
Every manager tried to impress him.
Every executive agreed with everything he said.
Aaron remained expressionless.
Nothing impressed him.
Until...
A delicious smell drifted into the conference room.
Fresh bread.
Warm butter.
Rosemary.
Aaron paused.
"Where is that coming from?"
The hospital director blinked.
"The cafeteria, sir."
Aaron walked toward the kitchen without another word.
The chefs immediately stood at attention.
One by one, they introduced themselves.
Aaron tasted a piece of bread.
His face remained unreadable.
"It's acceptable."
The chefs released a silent sigh of relief.
As Aaron turned to leave, his eyes landed on a small notebook lying on the corner of the counter.
It didn't belong to the chefs.
Curious, he picked it up.
Inside were pages filled with handwritten recipes.
Creamy mushroom soup.
Honey-glazed herb bread.
Roasted garlic chicken.
Apple cinnamon pie.
Every page was carefully written, with little notes in the margins.
"Try adding fresh thyme."
"Reduce the salt."
"Perfect for family dinners."
Aaron frowned.
"Whose notebook is this?"
The kitchen staff exchanged confused looks.
One young cook spoke up.
"I think... it belongs to one of the cleaners."
"The cleaner?"
"Yes, sir. She often writes recipes during her break."
Aaron slowly closed the notebook.
For the first time that morning...
The corners of his lips almost moved.
Almost.
"Return it to its owner."
"Yes, sir."
He handed the notebook back and walked away.
But one thought lingered in his mind.
"A cleaner... who dreams like a chef."
Outside the kitchen, Celina searched frantically through her apron pockets.
"Oh no..."
"My notebook!"
Her heart raced.
She checked the cleaning cart.
The storage room.
The break room.
Nothing.
That little notebook contained every recipe she had created over the past five years.
Tears threatened to form in her eyes.
"It has to be here..."
She whispered desperately.
Little did she know...
The notebook she treasured most...
Had just been held in the hands of Aaron Steel.