Chapter 6 - A New Foundation
Two weeks later, the chaos of the federal raid had settled into a quiet, orderly routine at the Hudson Valley estate.
The media circus had faded, replaced by quiet restructuring. Nathan’s assets had been seized, Claire’s corporate shares had been legally annulled under provisions of fraud, and Vance Global was running cleaner and tighter than it had in a decade.
Dominic sat at the massive mahogany desk in his study. The floor safe was open, the true ledgers resting safely within his reach.
There was a soft knock at the heavy oak door.
“Come in,” Dominic said without looking up.
The door creaked open, and Mia entered carrying a silver tray with a steaming mug of black coffee and a plate of shortbread cookies. She set it down quietly on the edge of the desk.
“Thank you, Mia,” Dominic said, finally looking up.
She hesitated, her hands smoothing the front of her housekeeper’s apron. “Mr. Vale... the agency sent over three new candidates for the head housekeeper position. You should review their resumes.”
Dominic looked at the stack of resumes sitting neatly beside his coffee cup. Then he looked up at Mia.
“Do you want to leave?” he asked quietly.
Mia’s hands stopped moving. She looked down at the floor, then back into Dominic’s dark, steady eyes. “Leave? Mr. Vale, this has been my home for three years. Harper goes to school nearby. But after everything that happened... I wasn't sure if you wanted reminders of that... of what happened in the cellar.”
Dominic stood up from his chair, walking around the mahogany desk until he stood just inches from her.
“Mia,” he said, his voice firm and absolute. “You are the only person in this house who proved their loyalty when it mattered most. You didn't run. You didn't break. And Harper has more courage than half my executive board.”
A small, genuine smile finally broke across Mia’s face—a smile that reached her eyes for the first time in weeks.
“Thank you, Mr. Vale.”
May you like
“Call me Dominic,” he corrected softly.
Mia nodded. “Dominic.”
