Dont start the car! Your husband cut the brakes! screamed the housemaid to the millionaire. And dont forget to comment where youre watching from, she added breathlessly. Eleanor, a poised woman with a steely gaze, had stormed out of the manor with her brow furrowed after a heated row with her husband, Alistair. A shrewd and ruthlessly successful businessman, hed been cold and distant for weeks, but today their words had crossed a dangerous line. Eleanor, weary of veiled humiliations and the disdain he showed not just to her but to the household staff, had decided to leave for the city without telling a soul.
What she didnt know was that someone in that house had overheard something horrifying. Beatrice, the maid, had worked for the family for over fifteen years. She was the quiet sortthe kind who knew too much but said little, because in wealthy homes, walls had ears, and consequences were often brutal. Yet that morning, as she dusted the library, she heard Alistair speaking on the phone in a voice like ice. The words *accident* and *cut the brakes* made her freeze.
She couldnt believe her ears. She told herself it must be a misunderstandinguntil she heard him say, clear as day, *Tonight will be her last ride.* Heart pounding, Beatrice wrestled with fear and urgency. If she accused him without proof, shed lose not just her job, but her life. Alistair had connections, power, and a history of making problems vanish. But when she saw Eleanor stride toward the car, keys in hand, she knew she couldnt stay silent.
She ran after her, shouting, but the engines growl and the radio drowned her out. Eleanor turned, confused, as Beatrice stumbled forward, face twisted in panic. She slammed the brakes and rolled down the window. What on earths got into you? Lost your mind? she snapped. Beatrice, gasping, barely choked out, Dont drive. I know his plan. Your husband cut the brakes. The silence that followed was heavier than any explanation.
Eleanors eyes widened as she processed the words. She glanced up at the manor. On the balcony, Alistair watched with a faint smile that didnt match the scene. Beatrice, if this is some sick joke, its not funny, Eleanor said, voice trembling despite her composure. Beatrice shook her head fiercely. I heard everything. Hes planned for you to die before you reach the city. Said everything would fall into his hands then. The words turned Eleanors blood to ice.
Eleanor wasnt naïve. Shed seen Alistairs ambition, his talent for bending people to his will. But shed never imagined hed go this far. If youre enjoying the story, dont forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts. Beatrice tried to yank the car door open, but Eleanor, still doubting, scanned the dashboard as if sabotage would be written in bold.
The butler, lingering near the entrance, took a hesitant step forwardbut Alistair raised a hand from the balcony, a silent command to stand down. That silent complicity sent a chill down Beatrices spine. Eleanor felt torntrust the loyalty of a maid whod served her for years, or dismiss it as a ploy to stir chaos. Beatrice pressed on. Its worse. Hes not acting alone. There are men waiting on the roadmen wholl make sure you never reach your destination, even if you survive the crash.
Eleanors knuckles whitened on the wheel. She stared at the gate like it was a trap she couldnt escape. Her breath hitchedfor the first time in years, she was truly afraid. The distant roar of an approaching car shattered the silence. Beatrice stepped back, but her eyes begged Eleanor not to move.
Eleanor looked up at Alistair again. His smile had vanished. Now his gaze was a cold warning. In that moment, she knewsomething terrible was about to happen, and the wrong choice would cost her everything.
A black sedan pulled up behind her. A man in a dark coat stepped out, face half-hidden. Everything alright here? he asked, his voice flat as a command. Beatrice tried to shield Eleanors door, but the mans glare forced her back. Eleanor felt the air thicken with danger.
Alistair descended the manor steps, adjusting his cuffs like a man preparing for a calculated move. Darling, whats this nonsense? Youd believe the ravings of a disgruntled maid? His tone was smooth, but every word dripped venom. Eleanor opened her mouth to speakbut the man in the coat leaned into the car, muttering, Done just as you asked, before checking beneath the dash.
Beatrices hands shook as she cried, Dont let her drive! That car has no brakes! Alistair whirled on her, face hard. One more word, and youll never work in this country again.
Eleanors world crumbled. Every glance from Alistair confirmed the truth. The butler stood frozen, caught between duty and dread. The man in the coat smirked at Eleanor. Get in and drive, maam. Hes already paid me.
Beatrice broke free of her fear. Eleanor, if you start that car, you wont make it past the corner. Trust mejust this once. Her voice was raw, desperate.
Alistair snarled, Enough! Eleanor, get inside nowor face the consequences. But his words werent concernthey were control.
Then, a second car screeched to a halt. A broad-shouldered man in a suit stepped outa detective. We had an anonymous tip about a possible homicide, he announced. Alistairs mask cracked.
The detective turned to Eleanor. Step out of the vehicle, maam. She obeyed, but Beatrice shouted, Check the brakes! A mechanic from the police car popped the hood. Seconds later, he confirmed, Brake lines were cut. No fluid.
Nausea and relief washed over Eleanor. Now there was proof.
Alistair kept his voice steady. This is absurd. Anyone couldve done this to frame me.
The detective smirked. Funnyone of my men heard your friend here say it was *done as you asked.*
The man in the coat boltedbut an officer tackled him. Beatrice exhaled as Alistairs façade shattered.
Eleanor, voice breaking but firm, faced her husband. I gave you my life, my trustand you repay me with this?
The detective cut in. Alistair Whitmore, youre under arrest for attempted murder and conspiracy.
As the cuffs clicked, Eleanor turned to Beatrice. You saved my life. How can I ever repay you?
Beatrice smiled weakly. You already didby treating me with kindness all these years. Today, I returned the favor.
Hours later, at the station, Eleanor gave her statement, ensuring no legal loophole remained. As she left, she hugged Beatrice tight. Shed not only survivedshed seen the monster behind the mask. Together, they walked away, leaving behind the manor and the man who thought power made him untouchable.
You never know who hides behind a smile. Appearances deceivebut respect and decency? Those should never be negotiable.
