The Matriarch's Ultimatum

~VALERIE'S POV~

The knock on my door came at precisely three o'clock in the afternoon, when the mansion was at its quietest.

Donovan had left for an emergency board meeting an hour ago, Leo was napping, and most of the staff were occupied with their afternoon duties.

I wasn't expecting anyone.

When I opened the door, Miriam Vance stood there like a perfectly composed predator, her silver hair glea