"Wait, it's okay," Lily whispered with a reassuring smile. "It's taken care of."
Chapter II: The Iron Rule of Policy
"That's against store policy!"
A loud, booming voice cut through the checkout aisle.
Marching aggressively down the lane was Harold Baxter, the general store manager. Dressed in a burgundy zip-up store jacket, stiff collared shirt, and maroon tie, Baxter prided himself on ruthless corporate metrics and strict enforcement of procedural rules.
"Company rules explicitly prohibit staff from covering customer shortfalls at the terminal," Baxter snapped, glaring at the elderly woman with undisguised contempt before turning his wrath onto Lily. "It encourages panhandling and violates our register protocol."
Lily held her ground, gently keeping the milk in the old woman’s trembling hands.
"She needs it, Mr. Baxter. She hasn't eaten since yesterday. It’s my own personal money, not the store's."
Baxter’s face hardened into a scowl of pure, bureaucratic arrogance. He pointed an accusatory finger at Lily’s chest.