THEY HUMILIATED THE PLAIN HOUSEKEEPER—UNTIL THE BILLIONAIRE MAFIA KINGPIN PUT A BILLION-DOLLAR DIAMOND ON HER FINGER AND MADE THE WORLD BOW TO HER!

Midnight.

The private rooftop garden of the Marcel penthouse was bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights and candlelight.

The city of New York sprawled below them like a carpet of glittering jewels, quiet and peaceful under the iron rule of the Marcel family.

Mara stood near the edge of the glass railing, holding a flute of champagne, the cool night breeze playing with her hair.

Dante walked out, holding two warm crystal glasses, stepping behind her and wrapping his heavy velvet jacket around her bare shoulders.

"Are you happy, my empress?" Dante asked softly, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close against his chest.

Mara turned in his arms, looking up into the handsome, scarred face of the man who had given her everything—who had seen her when the entire world treated her like dust.

"I have never been happier," Mara said softly.

Dante smiled, reaching down to take her left hand, kissing the billion-dollar diamond that sparkled under the Manhattan stars.

"They thought you were just a plain housekeeper," Dante chuckled softly, his eyes filled with endless devotion and fierce love.

"And what am I now?" Mara asked with a playful, radiant smile.

Dante leaned down, his lips brushing hers in a tender, eternal promise.

"You are the queen who conquered the king," Dante whispered. "And this city is our kingdom... forever."

And as the city lights burned bright against the midnight sky, the plain housekeeper who once hid in the shadows ruled the world in the arms of the man who loved her beyond life itself.