Chapter 9 - The Ultimate Protection
Dominic didn't look at them like a boss looking at his staff. He looked at the little girl with profound, earth-shattering gratitude and deep, unshakeable respect.
"You saved my life tonight, Lily," Dominic whispered softly, his deep voice carrying a fiercely protective, warm affection.
Lily peeked over her white pillow. "Are the monsters gone?"
"The monsters are permanently gone," Dominic promised quietly, a fierce, unbreakable vow. "They will never come back."
He looked up at Maria.
"You don't clean this house anymore, Maria," Dominic stated flawlessly, his voice carrying undeniable authority. "You are now the Executive Manager of this entire estate. I am tripling your salary, and you are both moving into the master guest suite upstairs. You are permanently under the protection of this family."
Maria gasped, tears of pure, overwhelming joy and relief falling over her cheeks. The massive, suffocating weight of poverty and fear completely lifted from her shoulders.
In the months that followed, Dominic completely overhauled his entire security detail, ensuring that no corrupt soldier would ever step foot in his mansion again. He ruled his empire with absolute, disciplined authority, building an impenetrable fortress of loyalty around the people who actually mattered.
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A year later, the dark, terrifying hallway was a completely different place.
👉 What final, cinematic image will close the story?
