The car pulled up to a mansion unlike anything she’d ever seen.
Iron gates, marble pillars, crystal chandeliers. Michael gestured for her to enter.
“From now on,” he said, “you work for me. Personally.”
Inside, Katherina stood near the entrance, afraid to touch anything. The walls were lined with art. The floors gleamed. It felt like another world.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered. “Why would I do something like that?”
Michael looked at her, his voice low. “Because you saw me. Because you didn’t give up. No one’s ever looked at me like that before. Not even the ones I pay.”
She met his gaze. Behind the wealth and power, she saw loneliness.
“You’re a good man,” she said.
“If I am,” he replied, “it’s because of what you did.”
