Episode 3
Katherina sat stiffly in the backseat, her heart pounding so loudly she could barely hear the engine. Michael sat beside her, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses, though the sun barely peeked through the clouds.
The silence was thick until he spoke softly, “They fired you, right?”
Katherina swallowed. “Yes, sir. They said I crossed a line.”
Michael turned toward her. “And what line is that? Saving a man’s life?”
She had no answer.
He sighed and removed his glasses. His face was pale but striking—the same face on magazine covers, the same one she had breathed life into.
“You shouldn’t have suffered for what you did,” he said gently. “I owe you everything.”
The car stopped in front of a massive mansion, surrounded by iron gates. Katherina gasped. She had never seen anything like it.
“Come in,” he said, stepping out. “From now on, you’ll work for me… personally.”
Inside, the mansion was surreal: crystal chandeliers, marble floors, walls adorned with art. Katherina stood near the entrance, afraid to touch anything.
“Lord, I don’t understand… why would I do something like that?”
“Because you saved me,” he replied. “And because…” He paused, lowering his gaze. “I saw something in your eyes when you refused to give up. No one’s ever looked at me like that before. Not even the ones I pay.”
For the first time, Katherina met his gaze. She saw loneliness—deep and sincere.
“You are a good man,” she whispered.
He smiled faintly. “If I am, it’s because of what you did.”
Weeks passed. Michael hired her as his assistant, bought her new clothes, taught her things she never imagined: how to write emails, attend meetings, speak with confidence. The staff whispered behind her back, insinuating she was sleeping with the boss. But Katherina ignored them. She focused on her work, grateful for a second chance.
Yet something changed in Michael. He grew distant, restless, staring out windows for hours.
One night, Katherina found him in his study, sweating and panting.
“Sir! Sir, what’s wrong?” she cried, rushing to him.
He grabbed her wrist tightly, eyes bulging.
“I… I was poisoned, Katherina,” he whispered. “The board… they wanted to kill me for uncovering the fraud.”
She froze. “What?”
Michael coughed, trembling, and handed her a small black USB drive.
“Everything’s here. Don’t trust anyone… not even my family.”
Before she could respond, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed in his arms.
This time, she didn’t wait. She screamed for help—but no one came. The mansion, once majestic, now felt dark and empty.
Then the front door creaked open… and a shadow appeared.
“I warned you, cleaning lady,” a cold voice said. “You should have stayed invisible.”
Katherina’s blood ran cold. Whoever it was… they knew everything.
