Chapter 9

Contains spoilers

Overview

Molly and Juan are blindsided when their landlord announces condo conversions, effectively forcing them to buy or leave, and forbids storing the Fabergé egg in the building. Overnight fame escalates as Cheryl exploits Molly’s image and contact details, leading to harassment and crowds at the hotel after the TV episode airs. At the Regency Grand, the appraisers and their showrunner confirm no credible claims to the egg and push for a rapid auction within a week, with soaring value estimates. Molly, overwhelmed, agrees to the swift sale to reclaim normalcy.

Summary

After recalling Gran’s wish to send her to a kind private school and own a small home, Molly and Juan are interrupted by their landlord, Mr. Rosso. He announces long-ignored repairs but reveals he is converting the units to condos, demanding they buy their run-down two-bedroom for about half a million within eight weeks or vacate. He also warns that the Fabergé egg cannot remain in the building. After he leaves, Molly and Juan discuss dreams of owning a small bed-and-breakfast, though Molly is anxious about counting on money not yet realized.

That night, spam calls surge because Cheryl has posted Molly’s photo and is selling her phone number online; Mr. Snow promises to force deletions, but the damage is done. Molly sleeps poorly, fearing that sudden wealth may cost her job and home. In the morning, Mr. Preston arrives to drive them to the hotel, concerned about attention as the Hidden Treasures episode is set to air early. He hints that he recognizes some of Gran’s old items from the shoebox but defers the discussion.

At the hotel entrance, Speedy playfully dubs Molly the “Millionaire Maid,” and Mr. Preston warns him to restrict access. In housekeeping, Molly finds a confrontation: Cheryl has been selling photos of Molly, claiming forged autographs, and previously sold Molly’s phone number. Molly confiscates and trashes the photos, threatens disciplinary action, and sends the team to work, assigning Sunshine and Sunitha to monitor Cheryl.

While working rooms on the third floor with Lily, Molly declines to rewatch the show. Lily voices frustration that people like Cheryl spoil good news, and Molly replies with Gran’s maxim about keeping bad eggs close. An elderly Bee-liever couple then arrives, recognizes Molly from TV, and thanks her for giving “little people” hope, even though their own finds were worthless; Molly and Lily send them off with chocolates and soap.

When Molly takes laundry to the lobby, a crowd swarms her for autographs and questions, and someone rips off her name tag. Mr. Snow extracts her through a staff corridor, apologizing that guests are demanding bookings only if Molly is their maid. He says VIPs are waiting in his office with news about the egg.

In Mr. Snow’s office, Stanley Brown, Barry Beagle, and their showrunner Steve report that extensive research—including inquiries to Serena Sharpe and Jenkins—has found no credible claimant to the egg. They recommend a fast sale while interest peaks and propose holding an auction at the Regency Grand the following week, projecting a price exceeding fifteen million dollars. Overwhelmed, Molly says she wants the ordeal over and her normal life back, and the group locks in the auction for one week.

Who Appears

  • Molly Gray
    hotel maid and protagonist; pressured by landlord to buy or leave, harassed by sudden fame, swarmed by guests; agrees to auction the Fabergé within a week.
  • Juan Manuel
    Molly’s fiancé; supports Molly, cooks for her, shares concerns, and encourages dreaming about a future inn.
  • Mr. Rosso
    landlord; announces condo conversion, demands purchase within eight weeks, forbids storing the egg in the building.
  • Mr. Preston
    Molly’s gran-dad; drives Molly and Juan to the hotel for safety, notes he recognizes items from Gran’s past.
  • Mr. Snow
    hotel manager; handles crisis, stops Cheryl’s posts, protects Molly from crowds, hosts meeting with the appraisers, greenlights in-hotel auction.
  • Cheryl
    maid; exploits Molly’s fame by selling her phone number and photos with forged autographs; reprimanded and monitored.
  • Lily
    maid; works with Molly, voices frustration about exploiters like Cheryl.
  • Sunshine
    maid; confronts Cheryl and helps supervise her.
  • Sunitha
    maid; joins in calling out Cheryl and supervises her.
  • Speedy
    doorman; coins “Molly the Millionaire Maid,” instructed to limit access.
  • Stanley Brown
    appraiser; confirms no credible claimants and pushes for a quick auction at high value.
  • Barry Beagle
    appraiser; supports rapid auction at the hotel next week.
  • Steve
    showrunner; reports ratings surge, research findings, and urges selling while interest peaks.
  • Elderly Bee-liever couple
    guests; recognize Molly from TV, express gratitude and depart early, uplifted despite their own appraisal disappointment.
© 2025 SparknotesAI