Chapter 3: CEO for a Day
The Monday after April Fool's Day...
LKR Corporation was finally peaceful again.
At least...
That's what everyone thought.
8:15 AM.
Kiefer walked into the executive office carrying his coffee.
Rose was suspiciously quiet.
Lily was typing on her laptop.
Kiefer narrowed his eyes.
"...Why are you two behaving?"
Rose smiled.
"We're always well-behaved."
Lily didn't even look up.
"She's lying."
Just then...
The Chief Secretary entered.
"Mr. Waston."
"Yes?"
"You approved today's event."
Kiefer frowned.
"What event?"
She blinked.
"...CEO for a Day."
Rose suddenly became very interested in the ceiling.
Lily quietly closed her laptop.
Kiefer looked at them.
"...What did you do?"
Rose grinned.
"We thought it'd be fun."
Before Kiefer could ask another question...
The company-wide announcement played.
Attention, LKR Family!
Today's lucky employee...
Will become CEO for one day!
The entire headquarters erupted into cheers.
Five minutes later...
A transparent box filled with employee names was placed in the lobby.
Rose spun it dramatically.
"And today's winner is..."
She reached inside.
Pulled out a name.
Looked at it.
Then smiled.
"Mr. George Thompson."
Silence.
Then...
An elderly janitor slowly raised his hand.
"...Me?"
Everyone clapped loudly.
George had worked at LKR for thirty-eight years.
He had watched the company grow from a small startup into the world's largest corporation.
Rose walked over and handed him a gold visitor badge.
"No."
She smiled.
"A CEO badge."
George laughed nervously.
"I've never even sat in the executive office."
Kiefer smiled warmly.
"Then today is your first time."
Thirty minutes later...
George sat in the CEO's chair.
He looked terrified.
Kiefer stood beside him.
"The first rule."
"There are no wrong questions."
George nodded.
"The second?"
Rose raised her hand.
"If anyone annoys you..."
"You can send them to my office."
Lily looked at Rose.
"Which is conveniently empty most of the time."
Employees laughed.
Throughout the day...
George attended meetings.
Approved charity projects.
Visited every department.
Even signed a few internal documents under Kiefer's supervision.
During lunch...
One manager asked,
"Sir..."
"How does it feel being CEO?"
George smiled.
"I've cleaned this building for nearly forty years."
"I never imagined..."
"I'd one day sit in that chair."
He looked toward Kiefer, Lily, and Rose.
"But today taught me something."
Everyone listened.
"A company doesn't become great because of its building."
"It becomes great because every single person matters."
The cafeteria became completely silent.
Kiefer stood up first.
He applauded.
Soon...
The entire cafeteria joined him.
More than five thousand employees stood together...
Clapping for the man who had quietly served the company for decades.
That evening...
George returned the CEO badge.
"I think I'll stick to being a janitor."
Rose smiled.
"We were hoping you'd say that."
George looked confused.
"Huh?"
Lily handed him a small envelope.
"Open it."
Inside...
Was a letter.
Congratulations.
For your loyalty and kindness...
LKR Corporation is proud to announce your retirement package.
A fully paid house.
Lifetime healthcare.
A monthly pension.
And a vacation around the world for you and your wife.
George's hands trembled.
His eyes filled with tears.
"I..."
"I don't know what to say."
Kiefer smiled.
"You've taken care of this company for thirty-eight years."
"It's our turn to take care of you."
George couldn't hold back anymore.
He hugged all three of them.
"Thank you..."
"My children."
Rose sniffled dramatically.
"I'm not crying."
Lily smiled.
"You cry every chapter."
"I have emotional talent."
As George walked out of the building that evening...
Every employee lined the lobby.
They applauded until he reached the exit.
Because at LKR Corporation...
No one retired as "just an employee."
They retired as family.
And the three founders wouldn't have it any other way .