The morning sun broke through the tall glass windows of the Leonard Towers, casting a golden hue over the city skyline. At the topmost floor, behind a mahogany desk polished to perfection, sat Alfred Leonard-the man whose name was etched into headlines and boardroom whispers alike.
Thirty-nine, sharp-jawed, and impeccably dressed in a navy Italian suit, Alfred was the picture of control. His empire spanned tech, real estate, and finance, but it was his charm that had made him a legend. Few could match his blend of intellect, ruthlessness, and calm restraint. But for all his billions, the one thing he treasured most was not found in the stock market.
It was his wife-Gloria Leonard.
Gloria was elegant, radiant, and the daughter of a long line of old-money aristocrats. Together, they were the couple everyone envied: poised, powerful, and impossibly in love.
A knock on the door pulled Alfred from his thoughts. His personal assistant, Williams, stepped in.
"Sir, your schedule for today includes the charity board meeting at eleven, lunch with the mayor at The Rialto, and your wife has requested you be home by six. Something about a surprise."
Alfred smirked slightly. "She loves her surprises."
Williams smiled. "She certainly does, sir."
But behind Williams' casual tone was something else-a flicker of tension. He had noticed something strange over the past few weeks. A subtle change in Alfred's focus. A few missteps that were uncharacteristic. Something-or someone-was shifting the atmosphere around him.
Alfred stood and buttoned his suit. "Make sure the driver is ready by ten-thirty. I don't want to keep the mayor waiting."
"Yes, sir."
As Williams left, Alfred walked to the window, sipping from his espresso. The city buzzed below. His empire was thriving. His marriage was solid. His life, it seemed, was perfect.
But what Alfred didn't know was that the perfect world he had built was about to be shattered-by a decision that would seem innocent at first.
The decision to hire help at home.