Chapter 6 - The Billionaire’s Office
Up in the private penthouse office, the morning light streamed through the reinforced glass windows, illuminating an enormous mahogany desk covered in architectural models and financial reports.
Maxwell Sterling sat in his high-back leather chair, reviewing a single sheet of paper.
When a soft knock sounded at the door, he looked up immediately.
“Come in,” he called out.
The door opened, and Grace and Lily stepped inside. Grace wore her neatest, most professional black skirt and white blouse, while Lily wore a simple blue dress with a white collar.
“Mr. Sterling,” Grace murmured, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. “Thank you for seeing us.”
“Sit down, Grace. Please,” Maxwell said, gesturing to the two leather armchairs facing his desk. He leaned back, steepling his fingers together as he studied them both. “I wanted to talk to you away from the lawyers and the executives. Just the three of us.”
Grace sat down rigidly, but Lily looked around the office with calm, analytical curiosity, taking in the books, the globe, and the city view.
“Grace,” Maxwell began, his voice surprisingly warm. “You’ve worked for the Sterling Grand for nine years. Your personnel file says you’ve never received a single disciplinary warning, you’ve covered shifts for ungrateful managers without complaint, and your supervisors noted that you have an extraordinary eye for operational efficiency.”
Grace blinked, caught off guard. “I just... I try to do my job well, sir.”
“Your job was never big enough for your capabilities,” Maxwell corrected gently. He shifted his gaze to Lily. “And neither is this hotel for what your daughter is going to achieve one day.”
He pulled a thick folder from beneath a stack of reports and slid it across the desk toward Grace.
“Effective immediately,” Maxwell said, “the educational trust for Lily is fully funded and legally locked in. But that’s not all. Grace, I am appointing you as the new Guest Relations and Operations Coordinator for the entire North American Sterling division. A proper office, a salary that reflects your actual value, and a schedule that lets you be a mother without working yourself to exhaustion.”
Grace stared at the folder. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over her lashes. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“Is there a problem?” Maxwell asked with a faint smile.
May you like
“No, sir,” Grace whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I just... I don't know how to thank you.”
“You don't need to thank me,” Maxwell said, standing up and walking around the desk to look out at the Manhattan skyline. “You earned it. Both of you.”
