Final answer:
Embezzlement is included as a criminal offense, which is a form of financial fraud involving misappropriation of funds. The passage provided shows the character's inner struggle and contemplation over his actions and the implications of possibly returning the stolen money.
Step-by-step explanation:
An employee who embezzled $30,000 from his employer has committed a crime. Embezzlement is a form of financial fraud and is included as a criminal offense, typically involving the misappropriation of funds entrusted to one's care but belonging to someone else. The passage reflects an intense moment of reflection by the character who has committed theft, as he contemplates the gravity of his actions and the potential consequences if he were to return the money.
The struggle indicates moral distress and an acknowledgement of the wrongdoing, which is essential in character development within literature and ethics in a business context.