Chapter 1 - The Disguise
Eleanor adjusted the thick, black frames on her nose.
The glasses felt heavy, but they were the perfect disguise.
She looked at her reflection in the rearview mirror of her hired sedan.
Her normally pristine hair was tied back in a damp, messy knot.
A simple, gray maid's uniform replaced her tailored designer suits.
Today, she was not Eleanor Vance, the billionaire matriarch of a real estate empire.
Today, she was just Maria, a temporary housekeeper.
She stepped out of the car and looked up at the grand mansion.
She had purchased this estate for her son, Daniel, just six months ago.
Daniel was a good man, but love often made him blind.
He had recently proposed to Chloe, a woman Eleanor had only met briefly.
Something about Chloe’s overly sweet facade had always felt wrong to Eleanor.
She needed to know exactly who her son was marrying.
Eleanor walked up the sweeping marble steps and knocked on the heavy oak doors.
A few moments later, the door swung open.
Chloe stood there, draped in a luxurious green satin slip dress.
She wore a dazzling diamond necklace that Eleanor immediately recognized from the family vault.
Chloe scowled at the older woman standing on the porch.
"You're late," Chloe snapped.
"I apologize, miss," Eleanor said, keeping her head bowed and her voice soft.
"The agency sent me to cover the weekend shift."
Chloe rolled her eyes and stepped aside.
"Whatever."
"Just get inside and don't track dirt on my Italian marble."
Eleanor stepped into the grand foyer, absorbing the familiar layout of her own property.
"Where should I begin, miss?" Eleanor asked respectfully.
Chloe crossed her arms, her manicured nails tapping impatiently against her skin.
"The floors need scrubbing."
"And don't use a mop."
"I want you down on your hands and knees."
Eleanor felt a sharp flash of anger but quickly suppressed it.
This was exactly the kind of test she had come here to perform.
"Of course, miss," Eleanor replied.
She walked toward the utility closet, knowing exactly where it was located.
"Wait," Chloe barked.
"How did you know where the closet is?"
Eleanor paused, realizing her slight misstep.
"I memorized the agency floor plans so I wouldn't disturb you, miss," Eleanor lied smoothly.
Chloe narrowed her eyes but quickly lost interest in the conversation.
"Just get me a bucket of ice water first."
"The air conditioning in this massive house is terrible."
Eleanor nodded and headed to the chef's kitchen.
She filled a heavy metal bucket with cold water and ice cubes.
The metal chilled her hands, but she carried it steadily back to the foyer.
Chloe was busy taking selfies near the crystal chandelier.
"Your water, miss," Eleanor said, setting the bucket down carefully.
Chloe didn't even look up from her phone screen.
"Move out of the frame, you're ruining the aesthetic."
Eleanor took a step back, silently observing the young woman's vanity.
If this was how Chloe treated the staff on a normal day, Daniel was in serious trouble.
Eleanor reached deep into her uniform pocket.
Her fingers brushed against a small, discreet voice recorder.
She secretly flicked the power switch on.
May you like
A tiny light blinked, confirming it was capturing everything.
The real game was about to begin.
