For the next two hours—you’re my wife! He said to the cleaner, taking her on a bet for the deal, but when she spoke—the room went silent…

I don’t look like the wife of a rich man.» «That’s the point,» interjected Michael, who seemed to be starting to understand Alexander’s plan. Our friend wants to prove he can handle any situation, even the most unexpected.

«One hundred thousand,» Alexander said suddenly. «One hundred thousand dollars for two hours of your time. Plus, we’ll buy you a suitable dress and shoes, do your hair and makeup.

All you have to do is dine with me and my client and keep the conversation going. Agreed?» Helen slowly leaned the mop against the wall. Her gaze became firm and appraising.

Something changed in her posture, her facial expression. She suddenly straightened her shoulders and looked Alexander straight in the eyes. «Two hundred thousand,» she said firmly in clear, accent-free English.

«And I’ll choose the outfit myself. No vulgarity.» Alexander blinked in surprise.

The room fell silent. The metamorphosis that occurred with the cleaner stunned everyone present. «Deal,» he finally said.

«Two hundred thousand. The meeting is tonight at eight in the Eleven Mirrors restaurant. My driver will pick you up at seven.

At six-thirty,» Helen corrected him. «I need time to prepare. And I’ll go shopping for the outfit right now.

Give me your driver’s contact.» Alexander nodded, surprised by her assertiveness and unexpected change. He pulled out his card holder and handed her a card with his driver’s number.

«One more thing,» Helen said, neatly tucking the card into her uniform pocket. «How will I be introduced?» «As my wife,» Alexander replied. «Irina Harlan.»

«No,» Helen objected firmly. «If I’m your wife, then I’m Helen. Getting used to a foreign name on the fly is unprofessional.

It’ll raise suspicions.» Alexander looked at her in surprise again. «Fine, let it be Helen Harlan.

But your task is to be convincing. My client is very important to me. And your task is not to screw up,» Helen unexpectedly smirked.

«Because I’m not the only one who knows how to play a role convincingly.» With those words, she nodded, picked up the mop and rag, and headed for the exit. At the door, she turned.

«See you tonight, dear,» she said with such natural intonation that Alexander’s breath caught for a moment. When the door closed behind the cleaner, silence lingered in the room for a while. «Alexander, are you sure this is a good idea?» Nicholas asked cautiously.

«Maybe cancel the meeting? Postpone it to another day?» «No,» Alexander smirked. «Now I’m curious myself what will come of it. It seems our cleaner isn’t as simple as she appears.»

«That’s for sure,» Paul chuckled. «Did you notice how her accent disappeared? And how her posture changed? Maybe she’s not a cleaner at all? Maybe it’s a prank? Hidden camera?» «No,» Alexander replied thoughtfully. «She’s been working in our business center for over a year.

I see her in the hallways sometimes. Always quiet, unnoticeable. Just.

People can surprise. Sometimes.» «Well then,» Michael raised his glass.

«To your experiment, Alexander. And may it not turn into a disaster.» Everyone laughed and raised their glasses.

But deep down, Alexander was already starting to doubt his scheme. Helen Victoria Fletcher left the business center, took off the cleaning company uniform, and neatly folded it into her backpack. Under the uniform was simple but tidy clothing, dark blue jeans and a white blouse.

She quickly put on a light coat, pulled a mirror from her pocket, and critically examined her face. «Well, Helen,» she thought to herself, using the home name no one had called her in a long time, «you’ve gotten yourself into an adventure.» But 200 thousand is almost half a year’s work in cleaning.

For that kind of money, she could play the oligarch’s wife. She headed to the subway, planning her actions on the way. There was so much to do—choose a dress, shoes, accessories, do hair and makeup.

And most importantly—prepare for the role she had to play that evening. Helen wasn’t a professional actress, but once in her past life. She graduated from the philology faculty of Moscow University, played in student theater, and even worked as a tour guide in a museum for a while, where she learned to speak beautifully and competently, holding the audience’s attention.

That was long ago, before the events, before the divorce, before moving to New York, where she started life from scratch, without any support. Now those skills could come in handy. The task wasn’t as simple as it might seem at first glance.

It wasn’t enough to put on an expensive dress and jewelry. She needed to embody the image of a woman accustomed to luxury, to a certain social circle. She needed to understand the psychology of such a woman, her manner of speaking, moving, reacting.

Instead of the subway, Helen decided to take a taxi; today she could afford it. She headed to the Hudson Yards shopping center, where there were boutiques of various price ranges. Time was short; she needed to act quickly and efficiently.

In the taxi, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. «Hello, Susan? It’s me, Helen. Listen, I need your help…