They Set Up The Poor Mechanic On A Blind Date As A Prank—but The Ceo’s Daughter Said, “I Like Him”…
The CEO’s Verdict
A man in his 60s, distinguished in a simple but expensive suit, had appeared behind Brad. He looked remarkably like Victoria, with the same sharp intelligence in his eyes.
He stated.
“My granddaughter’s three years old.”
“If you have something to say to her, you’ll say it to me first.”
Brad stammered.
“Mr. Ashford.”
“I didn’t know you were here.”
Robert Ashford replied.
“Clearly.”
“I was having a business dinner in the private room.”
“I came out to say hello to my daughter and granddaughter and instead found this—what would you call it, Victoria?”
Victoria answered.
*”A prank gone wrong, something like that, Dad.”
Victoria moved to stand beside Emma, who immediately grabbed her mother’s hand again. Robert Ashford looked at Jake, assessing him in a way that made Jake stand straighter.
Then he extended his hand.
“Robert Ashford.”
“And you are?”
Jake replied.
“Jake Morrison, sir.”
*”I own Morrison’s Auto Repair.”
Robert said.
“Ah, Morrison’s.”
“I know your shop.”
“You fixed my driver’s car last month.”
*”He said you were honest and did excellent work.”
Jake said.
“Thank you, sir.”
Emma piped up.
“Grandpa.”
“This is Jake.”
“We had dinner with him.”
“He’s nice and not fake and I like him.”
Robert Ashford’s face broke into a genuine smile.
“Well, if Emma likes you, that’s the best character reference you could possibly have.”
“My granddaughter is an excellent judge of people.”
He looked at Brad with undisguised contempt.
“Unlike some.”
Brad pleaded.
“Mr. Ashford, this was just supposed to be a joke—”
Robert interrupted.
“At an innocent man’s expense.”
*”A way to mock someone for not being born into wealth.”
*”Tell me, Brad, what do you think your employer would say about this incident?”
Brad went pale.
“My employer?”
Robert explained.
“You work for Kensington Consulting, don’t you?”
*”They handle some contracts for Ashford Technology.”
“I’m quite good friends with their CEO.”
*”I’m sure he’d be interested to know how his employees spend their free time.”
Brad stammered.
“Mr. Ashford, please—”
Robert commanded.
“Get out of my sight.”
“And if I hear you’ve tried anything like this again with anyone, you’ll find out exactly how small I can make your professional world.”
Brad and his friends couldn’t leave fast enough, practically tripping over each other in their hurry to escape. Robert Ashford turned to Jake.
Robert said.
“I apologize for their behavior.”
*”Unfortunately, there are still people who think wealth makes them superior to others.”
“My daughter and I know better.”
*”I started Ashford Technology with $50 and a dream.”
*”I was exactly where you are now—working hard, building something, being looked down on by people who’d never worked a day in their lives.”
Victoria said.
*”Dad.”
“Jake and I were planning to see each other again.”
“Maybe you could join us for coffee sometime.”
*”I think you two would get along.”
Robert said, shaking Jake’s hand again.
“I’d like that.”
“Any man my”
