A cleaning lady approached a millionaire and told him not to travel with his wife. The next morning, there was a luxury car next to her humble house…

Her breath was shallow, her nerves tingling with adrenaline, but she kept moving forward. She had to. The gates creaked slightly as they pushed them open, but the sound was swallowed by the vastness of the estate.

The mansion loomed ahead, its darkened windows like empty eyes watching them approach. Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, even though the place seemed deserted. Once inside the gates, they moved quickly, sticking close to the shadows as they approached the back of the mansion.

Ryan had given them detailed instructions on where to find the safe. It was hidden in a small study on the second floor, behind a panel in the wall. Getting to it wouldn’t be easy, but it was their only shot.

They entered the mansion through a side door that had been left unlocked, the old hinges groaning in protest as they slipped inside. The interior was just as eerie as the outside. Dark, cold, and silent.

Dust coated the furniture, and the faint smell of mildew lingered in the air. It was clear no one had been here in a long time. Emily’s heart raced as they made their way through the hallways, the floor creaking under their feet.

Every shadow seemed to move, every gust of wind through the cracked windows felt like a whisper of warning. But they pressed on, moving deeper into the mansion, toward the study. When they finally reached the study, James quickly set to work, searching for the hidden panel Ryan had described.

Emily stood by the door, her nerves on high alert as she listened for any signs of movement. Her pulse thundered in her ears, each second feeling like an eternity. There, James whispered, his fingers finding the hidden latch.

The panel slid open with a soft click, revealing a small, steel safe embedded in the wall. Emily’s heart leapt. This was it.

The files that could bring Amanda down. But just as James started working on the safe, the faint sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Emily froze, her blood turning to ice.

Someone was here. James, she whispered urgently, her eyes wide with fear. Someone’s coming.

James cursed under his breath, his hands working faster to crack the safe. Emily’s heart pounded in her chest as the footsteps grew louder, closer. They were running out of time.

Finally, with a soft click, the safe door swung open. James grabbed the files inside, stuffing them into his bag just as the footsteps stopped outside the study door. We need to go, Emily hissed, her voice barely audible.

But before they could move, the door creaked open, and Emily’s worst fear was realized. Amanda stood in the doorway, her eyes cold and calculating, a cruel smile curling on her lips. Well, well, she said, her voice dripping with venom.

Looks like the little maid finally learned how to play. Emily’s breath caught in her throat as Amanda’s cold eyes bore into her. The smug, cruel smile on Amanda’s face sent chills down her spine.

The room felt like it had shrunk, every shadow looming, every exit blocked. Emily had been preparing herself for this moment, but nothing could have readied her for the reality of facing Amanda like this, alone in the darkened mansion, no one around to help. James stood frozen by the safe, the files clutched in his hands.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. It was clear Amanda had expected this, maybe even planned it. She always seemed to be a step ahead.

Well, I have to say, I’m impressed, Amanda continued, her voice slick and smooth as she stepped further into the room. I knew you were getting bold, Emily, but I didn’t think you had it in you to break into my family’s estate. Emily’s pulse raced, every instinct screamed at her to run, but there was no way out.

Amanda blocked the door and behind her, a shadow moved, Ryan lurking just out of sight. He had betrayed them, of course he had. The moment they’d left the bar, he must have gone straight to Amanda.

James took a step forward, his face a mask of barely controlled anger. This ends here, Amanda, we have the evidence, your lies, your crimes, they’re all coming out. Amanda let out a low, mocking laugh.

Oh, James, she purred, shaking her head slightly, you always did have such a naive view of the world. Do you really think a few old papers are enough to stop me? I’ve been playing this game for years, you think I’m going to let a you take me down? Emily’s hands balled into fists at her sides. You killed my father, she said, her voice steady but laced with fury, and now you’re going to pay for it.

Amanda’s smile faltered for a brief moment, a flash of something dark and dangerous crossing her face. Your father was a fool, she spat, her tone suddenly sharp. He thought he could outsmart my family, he thought he could expose us, take us down, but we handled him, just like I’m going to handle you.

Before either Emily or James could react, Amanda snapped her fingers, and Ryan stepped into the room, his expression cold, his eyes filled with regret, in his hand was a gun. Emily’s heart dropped. I didn’t want it to come to this, Ryan muttered, his voice low, as if he were apologizing, but Amanda, she doesn’t leave loose ends.

James tensed beside Emily, his eyes darting between Ryan and Amanda, he wasn’t stupid, he knew this was about survival now. You don’t have to do this, Ryan, James said, his voice calm, steady, you can walk away from this, we can protect you. Ryan’s gaze flicked toward Amanda, uncertainty crossing his features.

For a split second, Emily saw the hesitation in his eyes, he wasn’t a killer, not really, he was just as trapped as they were, but Amanda stepped closer to him, her voice dripping with venom. Ryan, if you don’t take care of this, I will, and believe me, it’ll be a lot messier if I do. Ryan’s grip on the gun tightened, his jaw clenching, Emily’s breath was shallow, her mind racing, trying to think of something, anything, that could get them out of this alive…