Lily: Mom! Look at this bedroom! Is this really our bed?
Claire: Yes, sweetie. Just be careful around the glass tables.
Leo: Come look at my game room, Lily! I have two race car simulators!
Lily: No way! Can I try?
Leo: Yeah, come on!
Claire smiled as the two children ran down the marble hallway of the sprawling penthouse. Her back still ached, but the specialized physical therapy sessions paid for by Marcus were working quickly.
Marcus: They seem to be getting along quite well.
Claire: Lily hasn't smiled like that since her father walked out on us three years ago. I can't thank you enough, Marcus.
Marcus: You earned every inch of peace in this house. However, we have a minor situation standard for this week.
Claire: What kind of situation?
Marcus: My former brother-in-law, Richard, is arriving for a mandatory family trust review with our estate lawyer in ten minutes.
Claire: Should I take the kids to the garden?
Marcus: No. I want you by my side. He needs to understand that my household is unified.
A few moments later, the heavy mahogany front doors swung open. A tall man in an expensive navy coat stepped into the foyer, his eyes sneering as he scanned the room.
Richard: Well, well, Marcus. I see you've already filled my sister's house with hired help.
Marcus: Watch your tone in my home, Richard. This is Claire Miller, Leo's new personal guardian and head of household operations.
Richard: A guardian? She looks like a glorified waitress. Is this where my sister's trust fund money is going? Funding your little charity projects?
Claire: I suggest you keep your voice down, sir. The children are in the next room.
Richard: Don't speak to me, girl! You have no idea who I am or what power I hold over this estate!
Marcus: Touch her or insult her again, Richard, and I will have my security detail throw you off the balcony.
Richard: You think you're clever, Marcus? The court hearing for Leo's sixty-million-dollar estate fund is in two weeks. A judge will never leave a boy with a father who puts him in dangerous public restaurants where glass shatters all over him!
Claire: That restaurant accident was not his fault! And I was the one who protected Leo from every single shard!
Richard: Ah, so you're the hero from the news reports. Tell me, how much did Marcus pay you to throw yourself on the floor for a publicity stunt?
Claire: You think I took physical injuries to my spine for a publicity stunt?!
Richard: Everyone has a price, darling. How much will it take for you to sign a statement saying Marcus was negligent that day?
Marcus: Get out of my house, Richard. Right now.
Richard: I'm leaving. But remember this, waitress—when I win custody of Leo's trust fund next week, you and your little bastard daughter will be back on the street!
Claire: Over my dead body, Richard.