“Dont start the caryour husband cut the brakes!” shrieked the maid.
Laura, an elegant woman with a steely gaze, had just stormed out of the manor after a blazing row with her husband, Julian. He was a ruthlessly successful businessman, and for weeks, hed been distant, coldbut today, their argument had crossed a line. Tired of his veiled insults and the way he treated not just her but the staff, Laura decided to drive into town without telling a soul.
What she didnt know was that someone in that house had overheard something chilling. Sarah, the maid, had worked for the family for over 15 years. She was the quiet sortthe kind who heard too much but said little, because in wealthy households, walls have ears and consequences are brutal. That morning, while dusting the study, shed caught Julian on the phone, his tone icy. The words *accident* and *cut the brakes* made her freeze mid-polish.
She tried to dismiss it as a misunderstandinguntil she heard him say, *”Today will be her last ride.”* Heart hammering, Sarah wrestled with fear and urgency. If she accused him without proof, shed lose more than her jobJulian had connections, power, and a suspicious habit of making problems vanish. But when she saw Laura grab the car keys and head for the driveway, she knew she couldnt stay silent.
She sprinted after her, shouting, but the engine roared to life, drowning her out. Laura finally noticed Sarahs frantic waving and slammed the brakes, rolling down the window. “What on earths got into you?” she snapped.
Gasping, Sarah managed, “Dont drive. I know his plan. Julian cut the brakes.”
The silence that followed was heavier than a sack of bricks.
Lauras eyes widened as she processed the words. She glanced back at the manorthere, on the balcony, Julian watched with a smirk that didnt match the moment. “Sarah, if this is some joke, its in appalling taste,” Laura said, though her voice wobbled.
Sarah shook her head violently. “I heard everything. Hes arranged for you *not* to make it to town. Says everything will be *his* then.”
Lauras blood ran cold. She wasnt naiveshed seen Julians ambition, his knack for manipulationbut *this*? She scanned the dashboard for proof, half-expecting wires to dangle like spaghetti.
The butler, lingering by the door, inched forwardbut Julian raised a hand, stopping him dead. That silent complicity sent a shiver down Sarahs spine. Laura waveredtrust the maid whod served her loyally for years, or dismiss it as hysterics?
Sarah pressed on. “Its worse. Hes got people waitingeven if you survive the crash, you wont reach town.”
Lauras grip on the wheel turned her knuckles white. The gates ahead suddenly looked less like an exit and more like a trap. A distant engine growledanother car pulled up behind them. A stranger in a dark coat stepped out. “Everything alright here?” he asked, his voice flat as stale beer.
Sarah tried to block Lauras door, but the mans glare sent her stumbling back. Julian strolled down the steps, rolling up his sleeves like this was just another board meeting.
“Darling, reallyyoure taking a maids nonsense seriously?” he crooned, each word dripping with poison.
Before Laura could reply, the stranger reached under the dashboard. “Done just as you asked,” he mutteredjust loud enough for Laura to hear.
Sarah, trembling, shouted, “Dont let her leave! That car wont stop!”
Julians face darkened. “One more word, and youll never work in this country again.”
Lauras world crumbled. Every glance, every smirk confirmed Sarahs warning.
Thena second car screeched to a halt. A burly man in a suit stepped outDetective Harris. “We had an anonymous tip about a possible murder attempt,” he announced.
Laura staggered out as the mechanic with him popped the bonnet. “Brake lines been cut. No fluid,” he confirmed.
Julian scoffed. “This is absurd! Anyone couldve done this!”
The detective arched a brow. “Funnymy officer heard your *friend* say it was done *to your specifications*.”
The dark-coated man boltedonly to be tackled by another cop.
As cuffs clicked around Julians wrists, Laura turned to Sarah, her voice breaking. “You saved my life.”
Sarah smiled weakly. “You treated me with kindness all these years. Today, I returned the favour.”
Hours later, at the station, Laura gave her statement, ensuring Julian had no loopholes left. Outside, she hugged Sarah tightly. They walked away togetherleaving behind the manor, the wealth, and the man who thought power made him untouchable.
Moral of the story? You never know whos behind the mask. Appearances deceive, but decency? Thats non-negotiable.
