PART 1 — THE MILLIONAIRE’S SURPRISE

At twenty-nine, I had never managed to keep a job for more than a few weeks.

“Why should I spend my life trapped behind a desk?” I told my mother.

“I’m attractive enough to marry a successful man.”

So I always believed someone like Arthur would eventually appear.

I first saw him dining alone in an upscale restaurant.

His gold watch looked expensive, his navy suit appeared custom-made, and every waiter seemed to know his name.

He was older than my grandfather would have been, but I chose not to focus on that.

When his hand suddenly trembled and his wineglass slipped, I hurried over and helped him before the waiter could reach the table.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

Arthur looked at the wine spreading across the white tablecloth.

Then he looked at me.

“Only my pride has been injured.”

I laughed.

He smiled and invited me to sit.

I knew who he was before we finished speaking.

Arthur Vance.

Seventy-eight years old.

Three previous marriages.