But in the darkness, my eyes remained wide open, fully alert.
I’d already seen through the security cameras that the orange juice Mom brought was drugged.
I’d been waiting in my room, gambling on whether she would actually go through with giving me a spiked drink for the sake her adopted daughter.
She did. And I drank it.
But as soon as she left, I rushed to the bathroom and forced myself to throw up everything.
Now, hearing the soft click of my bedroom door closing, I sat up and checked my drawer–my SS Card was gone, just as I’d expected.
But I just settled back into bed and slept until late morning.
When I finally went downstairs for breakfast, Martha, the housekeeper who ran the kitchen, gave me a sidelong glance.
Your breakfast, miss,” she muttered, practically throwing a cold plate of eggs and toast in front of me before turning to leave.
Stop right there,” I called out coldly. “What exactly is this supposed to mean?”
knew that ever since I’d argued with my parents on my first day back, all the household staff had started looking down on
- ne.
They didn’t realize I was actually the reason for this family’s good fortune.
During the past six months, they had come to see only my parents and Mallory as their true employers.
Especially after I reclaimed my rooms, they assumed I had stolen Mallory’s belongings and showed me even less respect–they lidn’t even properly prepare my meals.
Not only was my food carelessly made, but it was already cold when served to me, with utensils just tossed onto the table.
Martha rolled her eyes at my question. “Eat it or don’t. Your parents said not to spoil you.”
held her gaze steadily. “Since you clearly don’t want to do your job properly, you’re fired. Go pack your things.”
Without breaking eye contact, I called the house manager. “We need two new kitchen staff. Make sure they’re loyal and have PROPER attitudes.”
When Martha realized I was serious about firing her, panic flooded her face. “Miss Riley, if you don’t like the food, just tell me! I’ll make something else right away–please don’t fire me!”
She had assumed the power in this household belonged to my parents and Mallory. She thought they were the ones signing her paychecks.
She had no idea I was the one truly in control.
And I knew she’d been accepting bribes from Mallory specifically to make my life difficult.
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“I already gave you one chance.”
I replied evenly, unmoved by her sudden change in demeanor.
“You need to understand which money is acceptable to take and which isn’t. More importantly, you shouldn’t forget what your
actual job is.”
Martha nearly fell to her knees begging, causing a scene that drew the attention of other staff members.
But her pleas made no difference–she left with her belongings in disgrace.
This display sent a clear message to the rest of the household staff: disrespecting me would not be tolerated.
Mallory witnessed the whole thing and seized the opportunity to play the compassionate one.
“Riley, not everyone is as fortunate as you, you shouldn’t be so harsh.”
“Martha probably struggled to find this job in the first place.”
I shot her a cold smile.
“If you’re so concerned, why don’t you pay her salary yourself? Take her home and treat her like your own mother. I wouldn’t
mind at all.”
I paused deliberately. “Oops! I almost forgot–you’re just a guest in my house, aren’t you? An adopted daughter probably shouldn’t be so generous with other people’s resources.”
Mallory bit her lip hard, her face turning ashen.
Just then, a Bentley pulled up to the mansion. Rhys Valentine had come to visit.
He stepped out of the car as his driver unloaded several gift boxes from the trunk and handed them to me.
“I should have thrown you a homecoming party when you were discharged,” he said with a warm smile. “But you insisted against it.”
I smiled back. “There’s no need to make such a fuss.”
The fact that our family had gone from struggling to wealthy overnight because I saved the Valentine heir was already. drawing enough resentment.
Being more ostentatious would only invite more trouble.
After lunch, Rhys and I took a walk through the garden.
Suddenly, he smiled mysteriously and had his driver bring over an exquisite box–inside was a stunning ivory wedding gown with intricate beadwork that caught the sunlight in a breathtaking display.
The driver explained with a smile: “The Valentine family is one of the most prestigious in the city. They only use the finest things. This wedding dress was specially commissioned by Mr. Valentine from a famous designer and took half a year to complete.”
“Three days from now, I can’t wait to see you walking down the aisle in this,” Rhys said softly.
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Chapter 3
I nodded with a smile, catching sight of Mallory watching us from the terrace, her expression twisted with jealousy.
“I can’t wait either“, with that, I stood on tiptoe and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Surprise flickered across his face before transforming into a complex mix of emotions and finally settling on joy.
On the wedding day, my parents were frantic, unable to find me anywhere.
Mallory, however, seemed completely unsurprised as she glided down the stairs with a smug smile.
‘Mom, Dad, you can stop looking. Riley won’t be attending her own wedding.”
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