01/14/2026
đ˛ A billionaire fakes sleep to test his maidâs son, and the childâs reaction leaves him speechless.
Mr. Malcolm Greyford looked asleep, but he was far from it. His eyes stayed shut, his breathing calm, his frail frame slumped into the burgundy velvet cushion of his favorite armchair. Anyone entering the room would believe he was dozing peacefully. In reality, Malcolm was fully alert.
At seventy-five, with a fortune built from hotels, shipping fleets, and major tech firms, he trusted no one. His mind, though aged, was still sharp and suspicious. His children visited rarely, and when they did, they asked about inheritance. Business partners smiled to his face, then plotted behind him. Even old employees had stolen from him whenever they sensed weakness. Malcolm had grown certain that people would always choose greed if given the chance. And today he felt like proving it again.
Rain slammed hard against the libraryâs windows. The fireplace added a soft glow. Everything was arranged the way Malcolm wanted. A thick envelope sat on a small mahogany table beside him. The flap was open. Five thousand dollars in crisp bills peeked out deliberately, as if forgotten by an aging man losing track of his wealth.
The test was ready.
He heard the door open. Brianna stepped in. His new maid. Three weeks on the job. Tired face, dark shadows under her eyes, a woman carrying more worry than her young age should allow. Malcolm knew she was a widow. Her husband had passed in a factory accident two years earlier, leaving her with debts and a seven-year-old boy named Milo.
Schools were closed for storm repairs, and with no money for childcare, Brianna begged the head housekeeper, Ms. Dudley, to let her bring Milo. She promised he would sit still. Ms. Dudley agreed reluctantly with a stern warning. If Mr. Greyford discovered the child inside the manor, both of them would be out.
Malcolm heard Briannaâs steps, then the tiny footsteps of a child.
âMilo, stay in this corner,â she whispered anxiously. âSit quietly. Donât touch anything. Mr. Greyford is sleeping. If you wake him, Iâll lose my job, and we wonât have anywhere to sleep tonight.â
âI understand, Mother,â Milo answered softly. The tone of fear caught Malcolmâs attention.
âIâll go polish the silverware,â Brianna murmured. âBe good, please.â
âI promise,â Milo replied.
The door closed. She left. Now it was just Malcolm and the boy. A heavy silence settled. Malcolm waited for trouble. A broken vase. Running footsteps. Anything. But nothing came. Milo did not move an inch.
Minutes crawled by. Malcolmâs neck stiffened from pretending to sleep, but he stayed committed. The boyâs next action would reveal everything. Read more in Comment or Most relevant -> All Comments đ¨ď¸