Chapter 3 - THE SHADOW IN THE HALLWAYBefore Thomas could reply, Sophie rubbed her eyes and walked out of the bedroom, clutching the edge of her oversized shirt. She looked at Thomas, then at Rose.
"Is the lady's family here?" Sophie asked softly.
Thomas looked down at the little girl, his hard corporate expression melting instantly. He crouched down to her eye level. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm her son. And because of you and your mommy, she's safe. Thank you."
"Can she stay for breakfast?" Sophie asked innocently. "We have more soup."
Thomas’s throat tightened. He looked at Marianne, seeing the dark circles under her eyes, the worn-out shoes, and the quiet pride that refused his money. He realized that a check wouldn't fix what was broken here. Dignity couldn't be bought; it had to be honored.
"We aren't going to have soup for breakfast," Thomas said, standing up and reaching for his phone. "We are going to the grand dining room at the Drake Hotel. All of us."
"No," Marianne protested. "We're not going anywhere. Please, just take your mother home."
"I am taking her home," Thomas said firmly, his eyes locking onto Marianne's with a intensity that made her breath catch. "And you and Sophie are coming with us. Consider it a thank-you note that you cannot reject."
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As Thomas gently helped Rose toward the door, he didn't notice the sleek, black sedan idling across the snowy street. Inside that car sat Harrison Vance, Thomas’s ruthless corporate rival and minority shareholder of Whitmore Enterprises, watching the apartment building with narrow, calculating eyes.
"So," Harrison muttered to his driver, tapping a finger against his steering wheel. "The elusive billionaire’s mother was hiding in a slum with a common cleaning woman. This is going to make wonderful press before the shareholder vote next week."
