A Thorn in the Rose Garden

A grand mansion stood in the heart of the ancient city, surrounded by a beautiful rose garden. The mansion belonged to Alec, a wealthy and influential merchant, known for his kindness and honesty. But not all that the eyes see is always true. Hidden behind his friendly smile and generous demeanor was a darkness only few could perceive – a darkness rooted in betrayal and greed.

Among all the housekeeping staff in Alec’s mansion was a beautiful young woman name Ella, who had faithfully served him for years. Ella was quiet, diligent and observant yet she held the most glorious smile and undying spirit. Ella often went unnoticed by those around her. Ella’s presence in the mansion was like a shadow—always there, yet never truly seen. She was one closest to Alec, knowing a lot about his business and personal affairs. “I can trust you more than any other staff with documents and any other work.” Alec would say to her.

She had heard about her childhood from Alec once. How Alec’s family including his parents and younger sister had passed away in a fire on the property. He was misfortunate to have lost everyone and survived to live alone grieving in this cruel world. His words would pierce Ella’s heart. One could only imagine his pain. “But, soon after I saw a new hope in life”, Alec continued. The new hope, was Ella. “Ricardo, one of the servants brought you back to me. You were injured and your parents were nowhere to be found. We wondered how you were left on the streets but no answers were found.” It was a possibility that Ella was the daughter of one of the cooks or cleaners who passed away in the fire. Alec said she reminded him of his sister so he took her in, letting her live in the mansion. Later she grew close with few people around the house and continued to work for Alec in his mansion. Ricardo was killed behind the mansion just few days later in a robbery gone wrong.

Ella grew into a woman of strength and subtle grace. She had heard whispers among the servants about Alec’s ruthless dealings in the marketplace, but her loyalty to him remained steadfast - until the day she discovered the truth.

One stormy evening, Ella stumbled upon a hidden passage in the mansion while cleaning. Curiosity led her down the dark corridor to a small, dusty room filled with old scrolls and ledgers. As she sifted through them, her heart sank. The documents detailed years of deceit, blackmail, and treachery orchestrated by Alec. The fire that had killed his family was no accident. It was an act of revenge by Alec himself, angry over a business deal gone wrong. Ella assumed it to be a ploy in order to inherit a fortune from them. The most shocking truth she found shattered her.

Alec had destroyed her own family as well. Rage and grief swirled within her. Ella realized that her whole life had been a lie, her loyalty misplaced. She had been serving the man who had destroyed her family. The betrayal cut deeper than any wound.

Determined to avenge her parents, Ella devised a plan. Over the next few weeks, she quietly began to sow seeds of doubt among Alec’s business associates, hinting at his dishonest dealings. She spread rumors of his cruelty and greed, ensuring that they reached the right ears. All the while, she maintained her facade of the loyal servant.

The roses in the mansion’s garden began to wilt, a dark omen that seemed to foreshadow the doom that was coming. Alec, preoccupied with a new business venture, noticed the change in his garden but brushed it off as a simple gardener’s mistake. He had no idea that the real storm was brewing much closer to home.

One evening, a grand banquet was held at the mansion. The city’s elite gathered to celebrate Alec’s latest successful venture. The wine flowed, and laughter filled the halls. But as the night wore on, a hush fell over the crowd when a group of city officials entered, led by the chief magistrate. They approached Alec with stern faces.

The chief magistrate spoke, his voice booming across the hall, “You stand accused of fraud, extortion, and conspiracy. Your crimes have been brought to light by the testimonies of those you have wronged.”

Alec’s face paled. “This is preposterous! I am a respected man of this city!”

The magistrate raised a hand, silencing him. “Enough. You will have your chance to defend yourself. But know this: the evidence against you is damning. Your accounts are in shambles, and your allies have abandoned you.”

As Alec was led away, his eyes scanned the room in disbelief. They fell upon Ella, who stood quietly at the back, her face calm but her eyes burning with a fire that he had never seen before. In that moment, he understood. It was her. The quiet servant he had underestimated had orchestrated his downfall.

Months passed, and Alec was found guilty of his crimes. Stripped of his wealth and status, he was exiled from the city, his name tarnished forever. The mansion, his remaining wealth and property was duly signed and given away to the next rightful heir of his family, Eleanor, Alec's little sister.

Alec tried to kill his family, years ago, successfully killing his parents, but his little sister survived as she was then with her babysitter. They both survived with few injuries. Ricardo found Eleanor and recognized her and brought her to Alec, who instead of being happy was shocked to see her alive. He slipped up and Ricardo found out about his intentions. Alec hired goons and ended Ricardo’s life. Ricardo and Alec were the only people who knew the truth about Eleanor. Alec now introduced Eleanor, his sister to the world as an orphan Ella, who later in her life ended up serving her brother as his maid.

The mansion, now abandoned, stood as a monument to his greed and betrayal. Eleanor, free from the shackles of her past, left the mansion for good. She took with her a single rose from the garden, now in full bloom once more, as a symbol of her triumph over the man who had taken everything from her. She walked away with her head held high, ready to start a new life on her own terms, her heart no longer burdened by the weight of betrayal, but filled with the strength of her hard-won revenge.