Elena sat comfortably in the large, cozy sitting room, the soft hum of music playing faintly in the background. The sun filtered gently through the open windows, lighting up the room with a warm golden glow.
Opposite her knelt the quiet and ever-dutiful maid, who now seemed to be something more, a surprising Chess champion.
Elena let out a laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Again? You're unbeatable, Agnes!"
Agnes gave a shy smile, holding the cue nervously. She hadn't wanted to play at first. When Elena had begged her to join, she had hesitated, worried what Ford might say. It was against house rules for staff to mingle too closely, especially not in such a relaxed way. But Elena had promised no one would get in trouble.
"Don't worry," she had said with a wink. "Ford won't sack you. I'll talk to him."
Still, even now, Agnes played with caution but her eyes kept flickering toward the hallway, as if expecting Ford to walk in at any moment.
