Chapter 7 - A New Dawn
The morning sun rose over the Prescott estate, painting the sky in brilliant hues of gold and amber. The heavy, dark cloud that had hovered over the mansion for months seemed to vanish with the morning mist.
Downstairs in the sunlit kitchen, the aroma of fresh coffee and buttered pancakes filled the air.
Chadworth sat at the marble island, wearing a comfortable sweater instead of his usual tailored business suit. He was reading the morning newspaper, but his eyes kept drifting toward his daughters, who were sitting at the dining table laughing merrily.
On the front page of the Boston Globe, Sabina Vance’s mugshot was printed in stark black-and-white above a bold headline:
"HEIRESS ARRESTED IN MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR ESPIONAGE SCHEME AGAINST PRESCOTT DEVELOPMENT"
The article detailed the complete collapse of Vance Global Logistics and the federal indictment of Arthur Vance. The scandal had shaken the city's high society to its core, but inside the Prescott mansion, it felt like ancient history.
Rosamund walked into the kitchen carrying a plate of warm, freshly sliced fruit. She looked rested, though a faint bruise was still visible on her wrist where Sabina had grabbed her during the struggle.
"Good morning, Mr. Prescott," Rosamund said politely, placing the dish on the island.
"Good morning, Rosamund," Chadworth said, setting his newspaper aside. He gestured toward the empty chair beside him. "Please, take a seat."
Rosamund hesitated slightly, holding her serving tray. "I still have to finish the laundry on the third floor, sir—"
"Rosamund," Chadworth interrupted gently, his tone leaving no room for refusal. "Sit down. Please."
She slowly set her tray aside and took a seat on the leather barstool beside him.
Chadworth pulled a thick, formal manila envelope from his briefcase and laid it on the marble counter between them.
"Last night, after the police left," Chadworth began, his voice deep and sincere, "I spent hours going through my late wife's personal journals. I found the entries from four years ago where she wrote about your family."
Rosamund lowered her eyes, her lips trembling slightly. "Mrs. Victoria was an angel, sir. She gave my family hope when we had none."
"She wrote that your mother was a woman of incredible dignity, and that you were the most devoted older sister she had ever met," Chadworth continued. "And last night, I watched you risk your safety, your job, and your reputation to protect my daughters from a monster I brought into this house."
"I was just doing what was right, Mr. Prescott."
"No," Chadworth corrected firmly. "You were doing what a true guardian does. And for months, I allowed a liar to insult you, underpay you, and treat you like an invisible shadow in my home."
He pushed the manila envelope toward her.
"What is this?" Rosamund asked softly.
"Open it."
Rosamund unsealed the envelope and pulled out a set of official legal documents bearing the golden seal of the State Judicial Court. As she scanned the top page, her eyes widened in shock.
"This is... an employment contract?" she whispered.
"It's a contract for the position of Director of Household Operations and Personal Estate Trustee," Chadworth explained, a warm smile spreading across his face. "It comes with a base salary of two hundred thousand dollars a year, full health benefits, a private suite in the east wing, and full legal authority over the estate's domestic budget."
Rosamund gasped, dropping the papers onto the counter. "Mr. Prescott... this is... I can't accept this! I'm just a housekeeper!"
"You are not just a housekeeper, Rosamund," Chadworth said, reaching out and gently taking her hands in his. "You are the heart of this house. You saved my family. You saved my daughters' emotional well-being. And you preserved my late wife's legacy."
Before Rosamund could answer, Gemma ran across the kitchen, jumped onto Rosamund's lap, and wrapped her small arms tightly around her neck.
"Please say yes, Rosamund!" Gemma pleaded, looking up with big, bright eyes. "Daddy said if you say yes, you get to live with us forever and ever!"
Lorelai walked over, standing beside her father, looking at Rosamund with deep affection. "We want you here, Rosamund. Not because you clean our rooms... but because you're family."
May you like
Tears spilled over Rosamund's eyelashes, shining like diamonds in the morning sun. She looked at the two girls who had captured her heart, then at Chadworth, whose eyes were filled with profound respect and gratitude.
"Yes," Rosamund wiped a tear from her cheek, a radiant smile breaking across her face. "I'll stay."
