CHAPTER 1 – "The Maid Who Broke the Rules"
"I told you never to touch my child!"
The scream echoed through the mansion before sunrise.
Emma Carter, the youngest maid in the Ashford estate, froze in terror as little Noah cried uncontrollably in her arms. She hadn't meant to break the rules. The six-month-old baby had rolled dangerously close to the edge of the bed while everyone else was downstairs preparing for the charity gala.
Instinct took over.
She grabbed him just before he fell.
But Victoria Ashford, the glamorous wife of billionaire real estate tycoon Richard Ashford, walked in at the worst possible moment.
Her crimson heels clicked across the hardwood floor as she pointed a trembling finger at Emma.
"You filthy maid! Do you think you're worthy of touching my son?"
Emma's face turned pale.
"I... I was only trying to—"
"Enough!"
Victoria slapped the baby from Emma's arms into her own embrace before shouting for security.
Every servant in the mansion gathered outside the bedroom.
Some looked sympathetic.
Others stayed silent, afraid they would be next.
Victoria smiled coldly.
"You've been looking at my husband for months. First you touch my son. What's next? My family?"
Emma burst into tears.
"I've never done anything wrong."
"No?"
Victoria threw Emma's employee badge onto the floor.
"Then explain why you're hiding in my bedroom before dawn."
Emma looked around desperately.
No one defended her.
No one mentioned Noah had almost fallen.
The old butler lowered his eyes.
The nanny remained silent.
Even the security guards refused to speak.
Victoria leaned closer and whispered so only Emma could hear.
"You'll leave this house with nothing... because nobody believes servants."
Then, just as security reached for Emma...
A loud noise came from beneath the enormous king-size bed.
Knock.
Everyone froze.
Another knock.
Then...
A man's hand slowly reached out from the darkness beneath the bed.
Victoria's face turned white.
For the first time that morning...
May you like
She looked terrified.
To Be Continued...
