Chapter 2 - The Trap Springs
Chloe finished posing and finally put her phone down.
She stared critically at the bucket of ice water resting on the floor.
"I said I wanted a bucket of ice water, not a puddle in my foyer," Chloe complained.
She carelessly nudged the metal bucket with the toe of her expensive stiletto.
A small wave of water sloshed over the rim, spilling onto the polished marble.
Eleanor knelt down immediately, pulling a dry cloth from her apron to clean the mess.
"Please be careful, miss," Eleanor said quietly.
"The marble is incredibly slippery when wet."
Chloe sneered, stepping closer to the kneeling woman.
"Are you attempting to give me orders, Maria?"
"No, miss," Eleanor replied, keeping her gaze directed at the floor.
"I am merely looking out for your safety."
Chloe grabbed the metal handle of the heavy bucket.
With a sudden, aggressive motion, she heaved the remaining icy water directly at Eleanor's chest.
The freezing liquid soaked instantly through Eleanor’s thin gray uniform.
She gasped sharply, the shock of the cold water stealing her breath for a fraction of a second.
Freezing water dripped from her dark hair and ran down the thick lenses of her glasses.
Eleanor slowly stood up, her wet shoes squeaking slightly as water pooled at her feet.
Before she could utter a single word, Chloe’s hand whipped across the air.
The resounding slap cracked loudly against Eleanor’s cheek.
The harsh sound echoed up into the vaulted ceiling of the vast foyer.
Eleanor’s head jerked to the side from the forceful impact.
Her skin stung, radiating heat that contrasted sharply with the freezing water clinging to her clothes.
"I own this house now," Chloe hissed venomously, stepping directly into Eleanor’s personal space.
"Learn your place."
Eleanor did not flinch, nor did she cry out.
Her hand subtly slipped into her wet uniform pocket.
Her thumb found the glowing button on the hidden voice recorder, ensuring the device was still securely capturing every word.
She slowly turned her head back to face the younger woman.
Eleanor calmly reached up and wiped the dripping water from her chin.
Her expression remained completely unbothered, calculating, and dangerously calm.
"Daniel," Eleanor called out, her voice projecting clearly through the massive house.
"Come down, please."
Chloe laughed, a harsh and arrogant sound that bounced off the walls.
"Daniel is working in his study," Chloe taunted, crossing her arms.
"He doesn't care about a pathetic, clumsy maid."
Heavy footsteps suddenly pounded against the hardwood of the upstairs landing.
Daniel appeared at the top of the grand staircase, looking highly alarmed by the unexpected shout.
He rushed down the carpeted steps, the open collar of his white shirt shifting under his sharp blue suit.
"What's going on down here?" Daniel demanded, his eyes darting wildly between the wet housekeeper and his fiancée.
The moment Daniel entered the room, Chloe’s entire demeanor shifted.
Her arrogant sneer vanished entirely, replaced in a split second by wide, terrified eyes.
She let out a dramatic, breathless gasp and pointed a trembling finger at Eleanor.
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"Daniel!" Chloe cried out, her voice cracking with manufactured panic.
"This crazy woman just attacked me!"
