The billionaires Maid

A Dangerous Welcome

Clarissa, now bearing Erica, moved carefully through the grand halls of the Anderson mansion, her footsteps were silent on the glittery marble floors. The design of the house was indeed overwhelming, even to someone who had sure tasted between wealth and poverty. The chandeliers were sparkling like diamonds and the walls were decorated with priceless expensive artworks. It was a mansion built under the pretext of lies and secrets, a perfect fit for the family she had solely sworn to destroy.

As she approached the dining room, she braced up her posture , following the efficient, composed appearance that had become her second life. The Andersons were seated already , a picture of an unapologetic elegance. Isabella sat at the head of the table, her icy looks scanning through everyone like a queen assessing her court. Damian, across from her, looking like he was lost in thoughts , his fingers drumming an uneven rhythm on the table. Michael was absent, as usual, leaving his chair always empty.

“Ah, Erica,” Isabella’s voice sounded through the room, drawing Clarissa’s attention. “You’re early. Good. I like the punctuality in my staff.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Anderson,” Clarissa replied, her tone sounding respectful . “I wanted to make sure breakfast was in order.”

Isabella narrowed her eyes, twitching her lips into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I hope you’re finding everything to your liking here. Our household can be you know…. demanding.”

Clarissa nodded her head, keeping her expression simple . “I’m here to do my job, ma’am.”

Isabella studied her for a moment , then nodded. “See that you do so.”

Clarissa turned her attention to Damian, who had finally looked up from his seat. There was a dark shadow behind his eyes, something darker and more complicated than the cold appearance he usually showed the world. Their eyes met briefly , and for a few seconds, she saw something that could have been a flash of recognition or suspicion.

“Erica, right?” Damian asked in a low tone , almost hesitant, just like Isabella with a commanding tone.

“Yes, Mr. Anderson,” Clarissa responded smoothly. “Is there anything I can help you with sir?”

Damian shook his head. “No, just… make sure the reports I asked for are on my desk by noon. I need them for a meeting.”

Clarissa nodded and turned to leave, but Damian's eyes were fixated on her for a moment longer than necessary. It made her skin prickle. She could feel him trying to study her with his eyes, like he was searching for something that didn’t quite understand.

As Clarissa left the dining room, she couldn't help but feel that she was being watched, not just by Damian, but by the very walls of the mansion itself. Everything felt like it was under a cage, and every step she took seemed to echo louder than it should have.

In the hallway, she ran into Nancy, one of the few staff members she had managed to befriend since she decided to take on this role. Nancy was an older lady, with kind eyes and a weary smile, a housekeeper who had seen more than she could ever think of.

“Good morning, Erica,” Nancy greeted, with a warm tone. “How’s it going so far? The Andersons, are they beginning to give you a hard time yet?”

Clarissa smiled slightly, grateful for the way Nancy made everything seem normal. “Nothing I can’t handle. Isabella’s as sharp as ever, though.”

Nancy chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, that one’s always got something up her sleeve. And Damian… well, he’s a tough nut to c***k . But he’s not the worst of them, believe it or not.”

Clarissa eyebrow raised. “Who is, then?”

Nancy looked around, lowering her voice. “Michael. He is such a charmer, but don’t let his looks fool you . He has a way of making people do things without them even realizing it . He’s always watching, and at the same time waiting. You just have to be careful around him.”

Clarissa nodded, keeping the information. She already knew Michael was dangerous, but Nancy’s warning added a new layer of caution. The Andersons were a tangled complicated web, and she was slowly making her way through the strands, but each step forward came with its own risks.

As the day went on, Clarissa kept herself busy with the tasks assigned to her, using the routine to keep her mind focused. She organized reports, handled calls, and made sure that everything ran smoothly, all while keeping her ears open for any useful piece of information. Damian was in meetings for most of the morning, his voice occasionally sounding through the doors of his office, sharp and commanding. Isabella was always moving like a ghost through the mansion, her presence felt more than you could see her, as she kept a close eye on everything happening within her reach.

By late afternoon, Clarissa was alone in the study, going over some files she had carefully pulled from Damian’s desk. They were business documents, looking plain at first glance, but Clarissa had learned to read between the lines. There were transactions that didn’t seem to add up, deals that seemed too good to be legit. Volkov’s name was absent, but his influence was all over the paperwork. Damian was surely involved, knowingly or not, and the deeper Clarissa dug, the more she realized that the Andersons were up to their necks in the same dangerous game her father had been playing.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She quickly put the files away and quickly turned just as Damian entered the room. He looked at her, and for a moment, Clarissa felt that suspicious look again.

“ Is everything alright?” he asked, with his carefully controlled tone.

“Yes, sir,” she replied, keeping a neutral expression. “Just finishing up with the reports you requested for.”

Damian nodded, but his eyes didn’t leave her. “Good. Just remember, Erica — in this house, appearances are everything. It’s easy to get lost in the details.”

Clarissa smiled politely, with her mind racing fast. “I’ll sure keep that in mind, Mr. Anderson.”

As Damian left, Clarissa slowly exhaled, feeling the pressure of the mansion’s walls closing in around her once more. She was playing a very dangerous game, one that required her to balance on a razor’s edge. But she was too determined to win. The Andersons had no idea who they were dealing with, and as Clarissa continued with her work, she decided to keep it that way for as long as it takes.

The clock was ticking, and every second counted brought her closer to her goal.