The millionaire decided to test the new housekeeper, leaving the safe open and turning on the camera. But after reviewing the recording, he was STUNNED by what he saw…
Leonard lowered his gaze, taking a minute to process what he heard. «Family, children, grandchildren.» All these words caused some internal irritation in him.
It was hard for him to understand why people were ready to drop everything for these, as he considered, meaningless attachments. «I see,» he replied briefly. «When are you leaving?»
«In a week,» Theresa answered softly. «I’d like to finish everything I started so the new person doesn’t have any difficulties.» Leonard nodded, holding back his dissatisfaction.
He didn’t want to waste time searching for a new person, but he understood there was little choice. When Theresa left, he immediately called his secretary, Sarah Kowalski. «Sarah, I need a new housekeeper,» he said.
«Find someone without children and, preferably, without any personal problems.» «So that no one in the family gets sick, moves, or expects grandchildren.» «I need a calm, modest, and responsible woman who won’t bring extra fuss.»
«Understood, Mr. Sullivan,» Sarah replied. «I’ll arrange everything.» Leonard, hanging up, thought: «Family is just trouble.»
«If you want stability, stay away from emotions.» The next day Sarah Kowalski contacted Leonard. «I found a candidate,» she reported over the phone.
«It’s a young woman.» «No children, no family.» «From what I see, an ideal option.»
«Good, schedule a meeting,» Leonard replied dryly. The next morning the new housekeeper appeared in the penthouse. Her name was Olivia.
She was a girl of about 27, modest and shy. She stood at the door, eyes downcast, slightly shifting from foot to foot. She wore a simple gray sweater, a long skirt below the knees, and old-fashioned shoes.
Her dark hair was gathered in a smooth ponytail, and glasses in a thin frame sat on her nose. «Come in,» Leonard said, gesturing to the couch. «Sit down.»
Olivia timidly entered and sat on the edge of the couch, clutching her small bag. «So, you’re the housekeeper,» he began, scrutinizing her carefully. «What’s your experience?»
«I worked in a house for one family,» she answered quietly. «They had a large apartment.» «I cleaned, did laundry, cooked sometimes.»
Leonard nodded. Her modest appearance was reassuring. There was no hint of boldness or pretensions in her.
Everything about this girl screamed her readiness for simple, monotonous work. «Good,» he said. «Cleaning is needed every day.»
«Change the bed linen every two days.» «Special attention to dust.» «I have an allergy to it, so even on the bookshelves and in the corners, everything must be perfect.»
«At the end of cleaning, put on white socks and walk through all the rooms.» «If the socks stay clean, the job is done well.» «If not, wash the floors again.»
Olivia nodded but said nothing. «Is everything clear?» Leonard clarified, noticing her confusion. «Yes, of course, everything is clear,» she replied barely audibly.
When Olivia left, Leonard pondered. «Sarah did well.» «This definitely won’t cause problems.»
But despite her ideal appearance, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to check her. The next day, while Olivia was cleaning, he went into the office, installed a hidden camera, and thought. «If she’s really as modest as she looks, I’ll be at ease working with her.»
«But I still need to check.» Leonard wasn’t used to trusting people, especially those who made too perfect an impression. The next day, after Olivia left, Leonard headed to his office.
He carefully examined the safe standing in the corner. It was a small steel box where he kept cash and several important documents. The safe was for him not so much a necessity as a habit to demonstrate control over everything he had.
Leonard opened the safe and thoughtfully looked at the stacks of bills inside. He took one of them, pulled out several large bills, and tossed them into the most visible spot in the box. Then he left the safe slightly ajar, just enough for anyone to notice the money.
«Let’s see how honest she is,» he thought, closing the office door. In his head, this thought sounded like a challenge. Leonard was used to relying only on himself, and trusting someone new, even in such a simple matter as cleaning, was hard for him.
He recalled how often he had encountered deceit and cunning in business, and now this habit carried over even to trifles. Before leaving the office, he checked the installed hidden camera. Its lens was directed right at the safe and the adjacent desk.
Leonard opened his laptop, connected the camera, and made sure the recording was going. «If something happens, I’ll see it all,» he said to himself with light sarcasm. His next step was just as calculated.
Gathering things for another business trip, he called the driver and headed to the airport. Olivia was supposed to come clean even in his absence, and this was a perfect opportunity to test her. While riding in the car, his thoughts returned to recent events.
He chuckled: «If she’s really honest and modest, I’m lucky.» «And if not, well, then we’ll look further.» In his mind, the plan spun: if the recording showed that Olivia touched nothing, he would stop suspecting her.
And if she did, then everything would be clear. Two days later, Leonard returned to the city. The day turned out exhausting.
After the flight, he felt drained, but still couldn’t relax. As soon as he entered the apartment, his attention was immediately drawn to the ideal cleanliness. The floors shone like mirrors, there wasn’t a speck of dust on the glass surfaces.
Leonard involuntarily noted that Olivia was at least a good worker. Passing through the hallway, he caught a pleasant aroma—a mix of freshness and a light floral scent. Peeking into the bathroom, he found neatly arranged new hygiene products: shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel.
He wondered, since he hadn’t asked to buy anything. «Attentive,» he muttered under his breath, raising an eyebrow. This small observation made him think a bit.
However, he still couldn’t fully relax. His attention kept returning to the safe and the camera recording he had set up. Taking off his shoes, Leonard went into the office….
