Ellie Rowan touched the black strap around Dominic Vale’s left leg just as his cane struck the marble floor.

Three months later.

The Grand Ballroom of the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago was ablaze with crystal lights and live orchestral music.

The annual Chicago Executive Gala was the premier event of the year, gathering the city's top business leaders, philanthropists, politicians, and socialites. But tonight, everyone was talking about one man.

Dominic Vale.

In twelve short weeks, Dominic had completely restructured the Vale enterprise, liquidating all illicit offshore operations and converting the business into a legitimate, multi-billion-dollar maritime logistics empire. The city’s elite, who had once whispered about his dark past in hushed tones, were now lining up to shake his hand.

Dominic stood near the grand marble staircase, looking striking in a bespoke black tuxedo. Walking beside him was Clare Rowan.

Clare looked breathtaking. She wore an elegant floor-length navy silk gown, her blonde hair styled in soft waves, wearing a delicate diamond necklace that Dominic had personally selected for her. Gone was the timid, exhausted maid in the gray work dress. In her place stood the sharp, confident Chief Auditor of Vale Logistics.

And walking right between them, holding both of their hands, was five-year-old Ellie, wearing a tiny white dress with a navy velvet bow.

Society photographers flashed cameras as the trio walked into the ballroom.

"Look at her," a senior senator whispered to his wife nearby. "That's Clare Rowan. She single-handedly uncovered the ten-million-dollar inventory discrepancy in the port audit last month."

"And the little girl?" the wife asked.

"Dominic Vale's goddaughter," the senator replied. "Word is, he put her in his personal will last week."

Dominic pulled out a chair for Clare at the head table, smiling down at her. "You look completely in your element, Clare."

Clare blushed slightly, looking around the magnificent room. "Six months ago, I was folding towels in your guest rooms, terrified of how I was going to pay Ellie's pediatric bills. I still feel like I'm going to wake up."

"You aren't dreaming, Clare," Dominic said gently, placing his warm hand over hers. "You earned every bit of this."

Ellie pulled on Dominic's sleeve. "Mr. Dominic?"

Dominic leaned down. "Yes, little one?"

Ellie reached into her tiny velvet purse and pulled out a small silver object—a sleek, polished metal latch she had found on the table's decorative centerpiece.

"Look," Ellie whispered proudly. "I fixed the buckle."