Chapter 1

I, Susan Jenner, had just arrived home. I started scrolling through Facebook like I always did.

Suddenly, a post asking for help popped up.

I tapped on it. The title made me freeze.

[I'm a housekeeper. My employer sexually assaulted me. What should I do?]

The deion below the post made me frown involuntarily.

[Not long after I started working there, the woman of the house said she was going on vacation. She left me alone in the house.]

[Right after she left, her husband came back.]

The word 'vacation' made me pause.

I had just returned from vacation, and I had also recently hired a new housekeeper.

I continued scrolling down.

[He dragged me into the bedroom. I was too scared to fight back. After doing those things to me, he even warned me not to tell anyone. I'm very scared.]

[I just found out I'm pregnant. The mistress is back too. I don't know what to do.]

[Oh, right. The master said his wife knew about everything when he was sexually assaulting me.]

[Just call the cops already! Don't let those two off the hook!]

[They're actually accomplices? This is way too disgusting!]

[It's been quite some time. It'll be hard to clarify things. I suggest you talk to your employer and demand compensation.]

I continued scrolling down. The poster liked the final comment and replied to it.

[Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try talking to them.]

Right then, our housekeeper, Joanne Wagner, who had been carrying out her cleaning duties, suddenly spoke.

"Ma'am, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."

My heart sank. For some reason, I recalled the post I'd just read. I kept a straight face.

"Go ahead."

Her voice was so soft it was barely audible.

"I'm three months into my pregnancy.

"T-The child is Mr. Levine's."

I froze, and for a moment, the room seemed to spin. That was absurd.

The Mr. Levine she was referring to was my husband, Gary Levine.

I asked almost instinctively, "Do you even realize what you're saying?"

Joanne nodded while tears welled up in her eyes.

"Ma'am, don't worry. I have no intention of ruining your family.

"All I ask is that you give me 500 grand for the child's support, plus another 200 grand as compensation for the harm I've suffered.

"From now on, I'll never bother you or your husband again."

At first glance, her words sounded considerate enough. In reality, she was demanding an outrageous amount of money.

Looking at the seriousness on her face, I found the whole thing laughable.

I knew perfectly well that my husband would never do such a thing.

I steadied myself and stared directly at her before speaking slowly and clearly.

"You're trying to extort me. You won't get a single cent from me!"

Joanne frowned slightly as she looked at me.

"Woman to woman, you should understand. No woman would lie about something like this.

"Besides, that amount of money is nothing to you.

"I don't want to make things ugly either."

I sneered.

"Maybe I can afford it, but that doesn't mean I'm some fool you can take advantage of!"

When she saw that I wasn't backing down, Joanne suddenly raised her voice. Her gaze turned harsh.

"Are you sure you won't pay? Fine. I’ll post it on the forum and every social media platform, and I’ll even contact your company. I won’t leave any of them out!"

I met her gaze. "Go ahead. I'll fight you to the end."

Joanne glared at me fiercely.

"Fine. Let's see whether you're still this tough when we're standing in court!"

With that, she turned around, slammed the door behind her, and stormed out.