The Billionaire's Maid

Chapter 8: The Mysterious Note

Sophie’s POV

I stared at the note in my trembling hands.

Sophie, don't trust anyone in the Lane family.

My heart pounded.

I read the words again, hoping I had misunderstood them.

I hadn't.

Someone had deliberately hidden this message behind my mother's photograph.

But who?

And why?

I sat on the edge of the bed, holding the photograph tightly.

My mother had always been careful with her belongings. If she had hidden a note, then she must have had a reason.

I looked at the handwriting.

It seemed familiar.

Very familiar.

I searched my memory, trying to remember where I had seen it before.

Then a thought crossed my mind.

Dad.

Could my father have written this?

I immediately shook my head.

No.

My father had changed after my mother's death, but I couldn't imagine him warning me against himself.

Unless there was something he had been hiding from me all along.

I folded the note and placed it inside my pocket.

I couldn't afford to panic.

If someone had left it for me, they might still be watching me.

I looked toward the bedroom door.

The mansion was unusually quiet.

For a moment, I wondered whether I should tell Alexander.

Then I remembered that the note specifically said not to trust anyone in the Lane family.

Alexander wasn't part of my family.

But I had only known him for a short time.

Could I really trust him?

I didn't know.

I placed the photograph inside my bag and hid the note beneath my clothes.

I decided to keep it to myself.

At least for now.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual.

My first thought was the note.

My second thought was my mother.

I got dressed quickly and went downstairs.

Maria was already in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Sophie.”

“Good morning.”

“You look tired.”

“I didn't sleep well.”

She studied me.

“Is something wrong?”

I forced a smile.

“No. I'm fine.”

She nodded, but I could tell she wasn't convinced.

I began helping her prepare breakfast.

A few minutes later, Lily entered the kitchen.

“Good morning!”

“Morning.”

She sat at the counter and reached for a piece of bread.

Maria immediately slapped her hand away.

“Wait until breakfast is ready.”

Lily laughed.

“I'm starving.”

I smiled.

For a few minutes, everything felt normal.

Then Alexander entered.

Everyone became quiet.

He walked toward the coffee machine, glanced at me, and frowned.

“You're here early.”

“I wanted to help Maria.”

“You're supposed to be resting.”

“I need the job.”

He looked at me.

“You won't lose your job because you sleep for another hour.”

I lowered my eyes.

“I'm sorry.”

Alexander sighed.

“I told you to stop apologizing.”

I looked at him.

“I'm trying.”

Lily laughed.

“She's already learning.”

Alexander ignored her.

He poured himself coffee and sat down.

I continued working.

But my mind wasn't on breakfast.

It was on the note.

I needed answers.

After breakfast, I went upstairs to clean Alexander's office.

I stopped outside the door.

I remembered what had happened at my father's house.

His study had always been forbidden territory.

It was also where I had found the money I used to escape.

Now I was standing outside another powerful man's office.

I pushed the thought away and entered.

The room was enormous.

Books filled one entire wall, while another was covered with photographs and awards.

I started cleaning.

As I moved toward the desk, something caught my attention.

A folder was lying partially open.

I didn't intend to look.

But then I saw a familiar name.

Michael Lane.

My blood ran cold.

I stared at the folder.

Why did Alexander have my father's name in his office?

I glanced toward the door.

No one was there.

I slowly reached for the folder.

Before I could open it fully, the door suddenly opened.

I jumped.

Alexander stood there.

His eyes immediately went to the folder in my hand.

Neither of us spoke.

“What are you doing?” he asked quietly.

I swallowed.

“I was cleaning.”

His gaze remained fixed on the folder.

“Were you?”

I quickly placed it back on the desk.

“I saw my father's name.”

Alexander's expression changed.

“You know Michael Lane?”

“He's my father.”

Silence.

Alexander stared at me.

“You're Sophie Lane?”

I frowned.

“I told you that.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?”

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he walked toward the desk and picked up the folder.

“Did you read it?”

“No.”

He studied my face.

I could tell he didn't believe me.

“I only saw my father's name.”

He placed the folder back on the desk.

“Your father and I have business connections.”

“That doesn't explain why you have a file about him.”

Alexander's expression hardened.

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“And you avoid answering them.”

For the first time, neither of us backed down.

Then he sighed.

“Your father has been involved in some business dealings that concern me.”

“What kind of dealings?”

“That isn't something you need to worry about.”

I felt anger rise inside me.

“Everything concerning my father is something I need to worry about.”

Alexander looked at me carefully.

“Why?”

I hesitated.

Because I couldn't tell him about the note.

Not yet.

“Because he's my father.”

Alexander's expression softened slightly.

“You should stay away from certain matters, Sophie.”

My heart skipped.

“Why?”

“Because not everyone who smiles at you wants you to be safe.”

His words reminded me of the note.

Don't trust anyone in the Lane family.

I stared at him.

“Are you warning me?”

“I'm telling you to be careful.”

Before I could ask another question, Alexander picked up his phone.

“I have a meeting.”

He walked toward the door.

Then he stopped.

“Don't enter my office without permission again.”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

He left.

I remained standing in the middle of the room.

Something wasn't right.

Alexander knew something about my father.

I was certain of it.

And now I had another question.

Why?

I returned to my room later that afternoon.

I locked the door and pulled the mysterious note from my pocket.

I stared at it again.

Then I turned it over.

There was something I hadn't noticed before.

A tiny symbol had been drawn on the back.

It was the same symbol I remembered seeing engraved on one of my mother's jewelry boxes.

My breathing became shallow.

I rushed to my bag and searched through my belongings.

There it was.

My mother's old jewelry box.

I opened it with trembling hands.

The symbol on the box matched the symbol on the note perfectly.

I ran my fingers over it.

Then I noticed something strange.

The bottom of the box looked slightly loose.

I pressed it.

A small compartment opened.

Inside was a tiny key.

I stared at it in disbelief.

My mother had hidden a key.

But what did it unlock?

And why had she left it for me?

Before I could think further, I heard footsteps approaching my door.

I quickly closed the box and hid it beneath my pillow.

The footsteps stopped outside.

Then came three quiet knocks.

“Sophie?”

It was Alexander.

My heart began racing.

I quickly stood up.

“Yes?”

His voice came again.

“We need to talk.”

I looked at the hidden key.

Something told me the conversation that was about to happen would change everything.