"Marcus's future in-laws are coming tonight to formally propose. Stay in your room and behave yourself. Don't you dare cause me trouble." Vivian Caldwell stared at her daughter, her eyes packed with disgust and cold disdain.
Elara Sinclair lowered her head, her gaze dim and lifeless. She only answered softly, "Got it."
Vivian was holding a storm inside her chest. Every time she thought of having a daughter who had done time, she wanted nothing more than to bury that shame forever. But then she remembered her stepdaughter was about to marry into the powerful Ashford family, and just like that, her mood eased up a lot.
"I'll have someone bring you food later. And remember, don't go wandering around." Only after seeing Elara nod obediently did Vivian finally turn and leave.
When the footsteps faded into the distance, Elara shut the door and stood there in silence for a moment. Then she slowly looked around the servants' quarters.
The room was small, but it had everything needed for daily life.
Elara had lost her father when she was little. At five, her mother Vivian remarried Leonard Caldwell, a wealthy businessman in Haicheng, and stepped straight into a life of comfort and luxury. As for Elara, she had been left behind to struggle through life with her grandmother.
Through the window, the lavish main house gleamed under the lights, almost dazzling. The whole Caldwell household was in chaos tonight, running around like tops. Just from the way Vivian had been so cautious and tense, it was obvious the people coming for the proposal were no ordinary guests.
By the time night fully settled in, Elara was sitting at the table flipping through an old high school English notebook, the pages yellowed with age. Even with the window shut tight, the piano music drifting over from the main house was still crystal clear. The contrast was kind of brutal, because her stomach was growling nonstop. Vivian had clearly forgotten all about sending her food.
Then suddenly, children's laughter and barking came from outside.
"Little Star, catch!"
In the dim light, Elara saw several children in the garden using a drumstick to tease a tall, handsome German shepherd. The dog looked like it had already eaten its fill. It lowered its head, sniffed the drumstick on the ground, then turned away without a second thought. The kids instantly lost interest too. They tossed the chicken leg aside and ran off with the dog.
Elara stared downstairs for a while, lost in thought. Then she quietly pushed open the door and slipped out.
She picked up the drumstick and looked at it. It barely had any salt on it at all. Probably made specially for that German shepherd. Pets weren't supposed to eat food that was too salty, after all. At that thought, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Some people really did live worse than a dog.
All of a sudden, the bushes beside her rustled.
That German shepherd shot toward her like an arrow loosed from a bow. Elara's whole body froze, her heart jumping straight into her throat.
At the critical moment, a deep male voice cut through the air.
"Back."
The tone wasn't loud, but it carried natural authority. The overexcited dog stopped at once, instantly obedient.
Elara was still trying to catch her breath when a tall figure stepped out from behind the flowerbeds.
Standing on the line between shadow and light, the man's features slowly came into focus.
He was dressed in a black shirt and tailored black trousers, formal and immaculate. A refined silver tie pin rested at his collar, and his whole presence gave off the calm, steady pressure of a fully grown man who knew exactly who he was.
"Did I scare you?" He bent slightly, his voice low and smooth. Then he reached out a long, elegant hand toward her. "Here, I'll help you up."
Only then did Elara realize she was sitting on the ground. Her eyes flicked over that distinct, well-shaped hand, but she didn't take it. Instead, she pressed one hand to the ground and got up by herself.
The man didn’t seem bothered. He withdrew his hand and gave the girl in front of him a slow once-over.
"So you’re the new maid the Caldwell family just hired?"