My Housekeeper Tried to Replace Me with Her Daughter Chapter 02

My Housekeeper Tried to Replace Me with Her Daughter Chapter 02

Marlene froze mid-step, one foot half in her shoe. “Fine, then I’ll bring her the day after tomorrow.”

I held her gaze. “You don’t need to come back. Ever.”

Marlene whipped around.

“You’re firing me?”

“You can’t do that!”

“Everett hired me. He respects me!”

“A spoiled little rich girl like you doesn’t get to run this house!”

Marlene had both hands on her hips.

I ignored her, pulled out my phone, and opened Venmo.

“You worked twenty-five hours this month at eighty dollars an hour. That comes to two thousand dollars.”

I entered the amount and authorized the payment.

My phone chimed.

Marlene’s phone buzzed.

“There’s your money. Paid in full. Don’t come back.”

She pulled out her phone and checked the screen. Saw the deposit. Her jaw clenched.

“Fine. You win for now. But this isn’t over.”

She stomped back in and started shoving her things into a bag, cursing under her breath the whole time.

I folded my arms and kept watching her.

When she was done, she hauled the overstuffed bag to the front door.

I held out my hand. “My house key.”

Marlene’s face twitched. She dug into her pocket, yanked out the key, and threw it on the floor.

“What are you so proud of? You’re nothing but a gold digger living off your husband. Karma’s coming for you.”

I slammed the door in her face.

She’d been coasting on the salary I paid her for years. No other clients, no other income.

She’d never find another gig this cushy.

We’d see who really ended up paying for it.

The next morning.

I headed out for a morning walk.

I’d barely stepped out the front doors.

A cluster of neighbors was talking under a tree. The second they saw me, they went quiet.

Every pair of eyes locked onto me.

I turned to go, and their whispers followed, just loud enough for me to hear.

“That’s her. She seems so put-together.”

“You can never tell with people. I heard she treats her housekeeper like a slave and barely feeds the poor woman.”

“And it’s not just the temper. I heard she’s got some sugar baby on the side, spending her husband’s money on him, too.”

“That poor husband. He seems like such a good man.”

I turned around. Every single one of them glanced away.

I kept walking toward the gates of Maple Crest.

Near the guardhouse, two security guards stood smoking. They spotted me and leaned toward each other, muttering.

One of them smirked at me as I passed.

I didn’t give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

I already knew who was behind this.

Marlene had always gossiped with the other staff and bored housewives around Maple Crest.

She’d had all the time in the world to turn people against me.

I’d deal with the rumors later. For now, I ordered an Uber to BrightNest Home Services in downtown Bellwether.

Twenty minutes later, I sat in Camille Mercer’s office and took a sip of water.

“She crossed the line. Bad attitude, sloppy work, and she’s been spreading rumors about me all over Maple Crest.”

Camille’s smile dropped.

She sat up straighter.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Ashford. That’s completely unacceptable. I’ll remove her from our roster immediately.”

I nodded.

“I need someone new as soon as possible. Someone professional.”

Camille pulled a folder from her drawer.

“I’d suggest Ms. Whitaker. She’s an experienced executive housekeeper and very detail-oriented. She’s actually available this afternoon, if you’d like her to come by for a trial run.”

I agreed.