A Dying Billionaire Begged His Maid to Spend One Night With Him—But His Reason Changed Everything

One month later. Chicago.

The glass tower of Valmont Group headquarters stood tall against the summer sky. Inside the grand board room on the fifty-fifth floor, tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

Stephen Valmont sat at the head of the long oak conference table, surrounding himself with eight senior board members and a team of corporate lawyers.

"We have reached a quorum," Stephen announced, tapping his pen against the table, a smug, arrogant smile playing on his lips. "Given the continued absence of Nicholas Valmont and the fraudulent interference of his domestic employee, I move that we formally vote to liquidate the founder's trust and appoint me as permanent Chairman."

"Seconded," one of his paid-off board members spoke up immediately.

"All those in favor—" Stephen began.

BANG!

The massive double doors of the boardroom were thrown open with a thunderous crash.

Stephen froze, his pen dropping onto the table.

Walking through the doorway was Nicholas Valmont.

He looked magnificent. He wore a bespoke three-piece charcoal suit, his hair cut sharp, his posture immaculate, radiating power, health, and a terrifying, icy authority that made half the board members instantly stand up in shock.

Beside him walked Iris. She wore an elegant burgundy silk dress, her hair styled in soft waves, her chin held high, holding a thick leather briefcase. On her left ring finger, a massive diamond ring sparkled beside a simple silver band under the fluorescent lights.

Behind them stepped Arthur Pendelton and two agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"Nicholas?" Stephen stammered, his face turning pale as paper. "You... you're..."

"Alive," Nicholas said coldly, his voice echoing through the silent boardroom like a death sentence. "And completely cured."

Nicholas walked down the length of the table, stopping directly opposite his uncle. He leaned his hands on the oak surface, leaning in close.

"Did you really think a little corporate maneuvering could destroy me, Stephen?" Nicholas asked smoothly. "While I was recovering in Switzerland, Miss Vance—my fiancée—and Mr. Pendelton were busy collecting evidence."

Iris stepped forward, opening her briefcase and laying a stack of legal files onto the table in front of the board members.

"These are full forensic accounting reports," Iris announced, her voice calm, clear, and commanding. "Over the past three years, Stephen Valmont has embezzled forty-two million dollars from the Valmont pension fund to pay off his personal gambling debts and bribe medical staff at Chicago Hospital to leak private health records."

The board members gasped, turning furiously toward Stephen.

"That's a lie!" Stephen shrieked, standing up so fast his chair fell backward. "She's a maid! She's lying!"

"The FBI agents behind me have the federal warrants, Stephen," Nicholas said dryly. "You're finished."

The two FBI agents stepped forward, grabbing Stephen by his arms and pulling them behind his back, snapping heavy steel handcuffs over his wrists.

"Get him out of my building," Nicholas ordered casually.

As Stephen was dragged out of the boardroom screaming curses, Nicholas turned to face the remaining board members, who were standing nervously, terrified for their positions.

Nicholas walked to the head of the table, pulled out the main chair, and gestured for Iris to sit down in it.

"Effective immediately," Nicholas announced to the room, "Iris Valmont is appointed Vice-Chairwoman of the Executive Board. Any objections?"