"Miss Bennett." His voice was deep and steady. "I must admit, your call yesterday surprised me."
Laura hugged the folder tight to her chest. "I'm sorry, sir, but I really need help." Her breath shook as she went on.
"My father passed away and left nothing but debts. I have a younger brother. We are about to lose our apartment."
"I see. That is difficult. I'm sorry for your loss."
He took a step closer, calm and confident. His eyes didn't leave her.
"What do you expect me to do?"
Laura looked around, searching for words. She cleared her throat.
"You could lend me the money to pay the apartment. In return, I could work for you. For as long as it takes."
Knight frowned.
"That would take years. At best, you would work your whole life for me, just for one apartment. And what about the rest? Your brother's expenses? Your future?"
His words cut deep. Even if she saved the apartment, her brother could still end up in an orphanage.
Tears spilled down her face. Right there, in front of the man her father hated most, Laura broke.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Knight, but I really don't know what else to do."
He paced the room, watching her with a strange mix of sternness and empathy.
Laura cried harder, unable to stop.
Finally, he spoke.
"Laura, your father was never my enemy. I always saw him as a friend, maybe the best friend I had. But he came to believe I was against his company, even against his life."
Laura lifted her face, holding on to every word.
"This may not be the best time for this talk. But the truth is, I owe him. It was with his help that I became who I am today. Even if I accepted your offer, it would only fix a small part of your problems."
He straightened, his voice firmer.
"I will help you. Not the way you expect. But you will owe me. And you will pay, not with money."
Laura blinked through her tears, confused. Yet inside her despair, his words still sounded like hope.
"You said you were willing to do anything, right?"
"Yes, but..."
"Yes, I know. Don't worry." His tone was sharp, but not cruel. "Listen."
"I'll take you and your brother to my mansion. I'll pay every debt, and the ones to come. You will never want for anything again."
"I'll have rooms prepared for both of you. Clothes, shoes, whatever you need, you will have it. I'll give you a credit card with no limit. My house will also be your house. But the price will be high. Are you ready to pay it?"
Laura didn't know what he truly meant. But she knew one thing. The cost of that life could never be money. And he knew she had none.
"Please, Mr. Knight, my parents didn't raise me to be anyone's mistress," Laura said, almost offended by her own thought.
"It's not that, girl. Don't get me wrong. I would never disrespect you or your family. I want to help you. Trust me."
He spoke with confidence, and maybe that was why Laura felt a small relief in his words.
She knew she had no other choice but to accept whatever this man asked of her.
"Alright. I trust you."
"Good. Go home and get ready. At two o'clock my driver will pick you up. Leave your address with the receptionist."
"Thank you, sir."
She stood and walked to the door, while he turned his back, staring at the city through the tall windows.
On her way home, Laura felt relief mixed with fear. She had no idea what was waiting for her, but she knew she had no choice.
When she entered the apartment and closed the door behind her, she broke down again. The tears hurt more this time, heavy with guilt. Guilt for not giving her brother the life their parents had dreamed of.
But she also knew there was no turning back. She had to be strong. She wiped her face with her hands and went to her brother's room.
Ethan was still asleep.
Laura brushed his soft brown hair, kissed his forehead, and began to pack their bags.
From that moment, their lives would never be the same.