The Fake Heiress in My Bentley

The housekeeper's daughter just locked me out of my own Bentley.

"Bob, drive," Ella Brooks—the school's untouchable Queen Bee—ordered my chauffeur. She leaned into her boyfriend, Ryan Harrington, shooting me a look of fake pity. "My family already pays her tuition. Charity cases don't get free rides."

A bunch of kids nearby laughed, always eager to kiss up to the fake heiress. Ryan glared at me like I was actual trash. "Maya, if someone puts a roof over your head, show some respect. Know your place."

The tinted windows rolled up. Tires squealed, leaving me choking on exhaust.

I stood on the curb, watching my car speed off. She had hijacked my entire life to play school royalty and snag a wealthy guy, convincing everyone I was the freeloader.

I was so pissed I actually laughed. She mistook my low profile for weakness.

She wanted to play the billionaire's daughter? Fine. Playtime is officially over.

Maya

A few girls behind me scoffed loudly.

"Did she seriously think she could just hop into Ella's car?"

"Ella's family literally pays her tuition. The nerve."

"If it were my house, I would've kicked her to the curb ages ago. Ella's way too nice."

I shot them a look. They just looked away and laughed even louder.

I pulled out my phone and called the estate. When John, our house manager, answered, I kept it short. "Bob left without me. Tell him to turn the car around. Now."

Dead silence on the line for a second. "Right away, Miss Sinclair. I'll have him loop back immediately."

Ten minutes later, the black Bentley rolled up. Ella got out first, already squeezing out fake tears.

"Seriously, Maya? Are you that petty? I was just joking, and you had to go crying to John?"

Ryan got out right after her, glaring at me. "Are you that desperate to take what's Ella's? It's just a car. You couldn't just wait?"

Bob stood beside them, looking pale. When I stared at him, he looked at the ground. "I'm sorry, Miss. Helen told me Ella had priority today. I figured—"

"Since when does Ella run this family?" I cut him off, my voice cold.

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Ella froze. She marched over and grabbed my arm. "Maya, stop it. Everyone's watching." She dropped her voice. "My mom's worked for your family for over a decade. Are you really going to make a scene over a stupid ride?"

I yanked my arm free. I wanted to expose her right there, but I held back. Helen had worked for my family for thirteen years and had taken care of me since I was a kid. Being a single mom after her husband died was hard enough, and I wasn't ready to destroy her life over Ella's cheap stunt.

I shoved past her and got in the car. Ella didn't say another word. She kept her head down the whole drive, furious and typing on her phone.

Helen was waiting at the front door when we got home. She rushed straight to Ella, checking her over like she was actually hurt.

"Are you all right, sweetie? Did someone give you a hard time?"

Then she glared at me. "Maya, she had a tight schedule today. Could you not just let her take the car for once? You've had everything handed to you your whole life. Why throw a fit over one ride?"

I stared at her. I'd known this woman half my life, but right now, she looked like a stranger. "Helen, that is my family's car."

She flinched, then sighed. "That's hurtful, Maya. Your father's last name is Brooks, and so is Ella's. To an outsider, we basically are family. Why do you always have to make things so difficult?"

Ella tugged her mom's sleeve. "Mom. Drop it."

I ignored them both and texted my mom: Helen and Ella are acting crazy. When are you coming back to the States?

Her reply came quickly. Next week. Don't stress, sweetheart. I'll handle it the second I get back.

But Ella clearly wasn't going to wait. She was already rushing to erase me completely and claim this stolen life as her own.