Billionaire Grandma Pretended to Be a Maid in Her Own Mansion—Her Grandson's Fiancée Made Her Kneel / Chapter 5 / 10

Chapter 5 - Framed in the DarkI immediately pulled a stack of fresh pillowcases from my cart. “I came for the towels, ma'am.”

Vanessa stepped out into the hallway, her face contorted with suspicion. “Then take them and go! This old maid is listening outside the door for the second time today!”

Julian walked up behind her, holding a glass of wine. “Then fire her, Vanessa. Get rid of her now.”

“I can't just fire her—she’ll run to Elijah with everything she heard!” Vanessa hissed. “We need to make her useless. Make her a thief. Nobody believes a thief.”

Julian grinned wickedly. “Give me 10 minutes. I'll turn off the security cameras in the west wing.”

An hour later, the entire staff was summoned to the grand foyer. Elijah stood near the staircase, looking confused and frustrated, while Vanessa stood beside him, clutching her chest as if she were about to faint.

“My diamond bracelet is gone!” Vanessa wailed, pointing at the line of domestic workers. “A $50,000 Cartier diamond line was taken right off my dresser! Everyone, line up!”

Julian began searching through the staff bags resting on the floor. He stopped at Maya’s worn canvas backpack, unzipped the front pouch, and dramatically pulled out a sparkling diamond bracelet.

“Whose bag is this?” Julian shouted.

Maya gasped, stepping forward. “Mine, sir! But I didn't take it! I’ve never seen that in my life!”

“Thief!” Vanessa yelled. “Call the police!”

I stepped out from the line, placing myself firmly in front of Maya. “She didn't take it. She was with me in the linen room all evening.”

Vanessa glared at me with pure hatred. “Then you can go with her! You are fired! Both of you!”

Maya fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Ma'am, if there was a theft, we should call the police and let them take fingerprints—”

“No!” Vanessa interrupted sharply, her eyes darting toward Elijah. “Not this week. Think about the wedding, Elijah. We don't need police sirens ruining our rehearsal dinner. See? I can be generous. Pack your things. You have 10 minutes. And take your soggy medical textbooks with you!”

Elijah looked at Maya, then at me. He looked uncomfortable, but he ultimately remained silent, placing a comforting arm around Vanessa’s waist. “If Vanessa says go, you need to leave.”

Ten minutes later, Maya and I stood outside the massive wrought-iron gates of the estate in the pouring rain, holding our small duffel bags.

Maya sobbed, wiping her face with her wet sleeve. “I did worse than fail. I needed this job... My mom needs heart surgery on Tuesday, and I... I stood up for an old woman I met three days ago!”

I pulled Maya close, sheltering her under my thick wool shawl. “Never apologize for standing up for what is right, child. My grandmother used to say that God sees everything that happens in the kitchens of the rich.”