With Victoria gone, the atmosphere inside the vast estate shifted dramatically. The dark cloud of fear and suspicion that had hung over the home for months seemed to vanish into thin air. Marcus held Lily tightly against his chest, walking over to where Elena was kneeling on the floor, gathering herself.
Marcus: Elena... please stand up.
Elena: Yes, Mr. Vance. I'll clean up the foyer right away and prepare Lily's lunch.
Marcus: Stop. You don't need to clean anything right now.
Elena stood up slowly, looking down nervously as she smoothed out her apron.
Marcus: I owe you an apology. A massive, unforgivable apology. I yelled at you when I walked through that door... I thought you let her fall.
Elena: You were scared for your daughter, sir. Any father would have reacted out of shock.
Marcus: That's no excuse. You risked your own body, threw yourself on stone floors, and saved my daughter's life while my own wife tried to take it.
Lily: *Giggles* Elena catch me! Elena fast!
Marcus: She loves you, Elena. She trusts you more than anyone else in this house.
Elena: She's a sweet little angel, Mr. Vance. I couldn't bear to see anything bad happen to her.
Marcus walked over to his mahogany desk, opened his briefcase, and pulled out a personal checkbook along with legal documents for his family trust estate.
Marcus: Starting today, your role in this house is changing. I don't want you sweeping floors or cleaning up after people anymore.
Elena: Sir? Are you firing me?
Marcus: Far from it. I want to hire you as Lily's full-time head guardian and nanny, with a salary three times what you make now. Full benefits, live-in residence, and a guaranteed college fund for your own family.
Elena: Mr. Vance... I don't know what to say. That's too generous!
Marcus: Generous? You saved my entire world today. Money is nothing compared to what you did for my daughter.
Elena: I would be honored to care for Lily, sir. Truly honored.
Marcus extended his hand, and Elena shook it with a warm, genuine smile. Lily reached out from her father's arms, grabbing Elena's hand and giggling happily.
Marcus: Tomorrow, my lawyers will finalize Victoria's divorce papers and file full criminal charges. She will never touch a single dollar of this family's money, nor will she ever come near Lily again.
Elena: Justice was served today, Mr. Vance. And Lily is safe.
Marcus: Thanks to you, Elena. Welcome to the family.
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