Elena Jones and I became orphans on the same day.

Her parents are killed in a mass murder, and my father—the killer—is executed on the spot.

For a month straight, Harborfield's most notorious playboy waits outside the courthouse, intent on keeping Elena.

However, she throws his black card right back at him, like a headstrong heroine straight out of a movie. "The Mr. Carter I admire is refined and noble. How could he have a nephew like you? I'd rather starve than accept anything from a thug."

He lets out a sharp, amused laugh and crooks a finger at me. "A death row convict's daughter and a thug make a fitting pair. I'll back you. Are you willing?"

While clutching the ten-million-dollar IOU my father left behind, I nod without hesitation.

Later, he orders me to get into his uncle Daniel Carter's bed. "With all that sin on your shoulders, you're an even better match for him. That way, Elena will finally give up on him for good."

I looked at the drunken Ryan without saying a word.

Five years had passed, and everyone in Harborfield knew I was Ryan Carter's kept woman.

I graduated without a hitch and joined his company, all while mastering the etiquette of high society and perfecting every accomplishment expected of an heiress.

Ryan spent so much on me that even my hair gleamed with a rich, healthy shine.

People at the company often said Ryan was deeply devoted to me, grooming me as if I were his future wife.

Under his careful indulgence, my past became something no one dared to mention again.

But with Elena Jones' return, Ryan suddenly remembered exactly who I was.

When I stayed silent, he frowned, transferred another million to my account, and asked, "Is that enough? My uncle might have a fearsome reputation, but he's loyal. If he sleeps with you, he'll take responsibility. He's a good match. Don't tell me you plan on clinging to me forever."

Over the past five years, I had heard more than enough about Daniel Carter to know exactly what kind of man he was. Through sheer ruthlessness, he had secured the Carter family's grip on both Harborfield's high society and its criminal underworld. Only Elena still convinced herself he was the picture of refinement.

I quietly picked up the homemade carrot soup I had spent three hours making and held it to Ryan's lips. "Drink some first."

Just as he was about to speak, a ringtone cut through the air. It was a personal tone set for Elena.

Her delicate, tearful voice came through the phone. "Mr. Daniel won't see me. Can you help me?"

Ryan sobered up instantly. He got to his feet and began changing clothes. "I'll be right there."

Before walking out, he remembered our earlier conversation. With a careless swipe, he sent the soup bowl crashing over, caught my chin in his hand, and sneered, "What will it take for you to agree? Or maybe... you have feelings for me?"

He studied me for a moment, as if trying to confirm something, then gave a cold laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. You're the daughter of a murderer. All you care about is money. You don't even know what it means to like someone."

He slammed the door behind him and told the maids to lock it.

I calmly picked up my phone and used the money he had just transferred to pay off my father's final debt.

Now, my father's debts had been cleared.

Once I had repaid Ryan for everything he had done for me, I would leave this place for somewhere no one knew me and start a new life.

With that resolve, I began to pack, taking only the bare essentials. I left behind every gift Ryan had spent years picking out for me without a second glance.

By the following afternoon, after a day and night without food, the door was finally unlocked.

I was about to speak, but the sight of Elena standing in front of me stopped me cold.

Her eyes blazed with hatred as she ground out, "Nat, it's been years, and you've been living quite comfortably."

Ryan followed behind her, looking slightly uneasy.

"El's going to stay here. You'll move to the maid's quarters in the basement," he said.

I pushed my packed suitcase forward and said evenly, "No, I—"

Elena suddenly stepped forward, digging her nails deep into my arm. "Nat, have you forgotten who made me an orphan and left me drifting without a home?"

Ryan's expression darkened instantly. He barked at the butler, "What are you standing there for? Move her things downstairs!"

Elena patted his arm in a soothing gesture. "Don't be angry. Why not let her stay and take care of me? After all…"

Just as I was about to refuse, Elena fixed me with a cold, piercing stare. "You owe me."

The words I wanted to say caught in my throat.

Ryan interjected impatiently, "Why say so much to her? After raising her all these years, isn't it only right for her to look after you for a few days?"

As soon as Ryan left, Elena dumped a pile of dirty clothes on me.

"These are all pure silk. Hand wash only."

After washing Elena's socks, I went to the garden to clear my mind on the swing.

Ryan had made the swing for me. To please me, he had cut his hand countless times but still insisted on finishing it.

He saw me sitting on the swing with tears streaming down and apologized, "I drank too much last night. If you don't want to be with my uncle, that's fine…"

I cut him off immediately. "Fine."

He froze. "What did you say?"

I repeated firmly, "Arrange for it. If that's what it takes to repay your favor, I'm willing to do it."

His expression faltered, and he hesitated. "Actually, you don't have to—"

Suddenly, Elena called out to him.

Ryan immediately stopped talking and hurried off.

I looked at the garden's evergreen gardenias that he gave me three years ago when he was drunk.

Back then, I had just awakened from the nightmare of abandonment and saw him holding the gardenias. He gently wiped away my tears and told me that as long as those flowers bloomed, I would be accepted and tolerated by the Carter family.

Now, I laughed bitterly to myself and casually tossed the flowers into the trash.

The next morning, a formal dress appeared in my room.

The butler said Ryan had sent it last night to prepare for a banquet three days later.

Coincidentally, it was my birthday.

He always planned my birthday carefully. I never expected that after Elena returned, he would still remember.

I carefully hung up the dress and went out to prepare the pumpkin soup Elena had requested.

Once the soup was ready, I found them in the garden.

Elena urgently said, "Ryan, you said you'd help me meet Mr. Daniel. When exactly will I get to meet him?"

Ryan's tone was calm and indulgent. "Why rush? We've planned a welcome party for you in three days and invited all the important guests. My uncle will definitely be there."

I then realized the dress wasn't for my birthday party but for Elena's welcome event. I had been mistaken all along.

Ryan gestured to a row of designer gowns beside him. "These are all chosen for you. They suit your style."

The dresses were elegant and refined. Compared to them, my own cheap dress seemed insignificant.

I clenched the edge of my tray and stepped forward.

Before I could reach Elena, Ryan slammed the tray down and said coldly, "Don't you know El is allergic to pumpkin?"

The hot soup spilled near my hand, instantly causing a string of painful blisters to appear.

Elena grabbed my hand, digging her nails into the burn with hatred in her eyes. "I'm only here in Harborfield for a short time, and you're already trying to hurt me. After all, you're the daughter of a murderer. How truly ruthless."

Before I could respond, Ryan's expression darkened. He grabbed my hair roughly. "Natalie Sanders, know your place. Go back inside and reflect on what you've done. Don't you dare step out that door!"

A sharp pain in my scalp made my nose sting, but I fought back the tears. Just as I took a few steps, Ryan called after me again, "El has been restless lately. Bring her your lucky charm."

The lucky charm was a keepsake my father left me. How could he ask me to give it to someone else?

When I saw my father for the last time, I asked him why he did what he did. I couldn't believe such a kind man could act so recklessly.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he gently pressed the charm into my hand, saying he had his reasons, was sorry, and urged me to live well.

As I hesitated, Ryan sneered coldly, "After all the money I've spent on you, you can't even afford a cheap charm?"

I turned and carefully handed it to Elena. "I wish you well."

She smiled, then suddenly jerked her hand back, letting the charm fall into the pool.

Without thinking, I jumped into the water to search for it.

Before I went under, I heard Elena guiltily say, "Sorry, Ryan. It's my fault for not holding it properly. I've upset your sweetheart."

Ryan sneered, "Sweetheart? She was just some toy I raised on a whim after you got mad at me."

By the time I found the charm and climbed ashore, the place was already empty. I couldn't tell if the wetness on my face was from my tears or the pool water.

That night, I kneeled outside Ryan's door the entire time before he finally agreed to let me attend the company's manager selection.

I couldn't rely on Ryan's charity forever. I had worked hard for a year to prepare for this manager position and wasn't about to give up. But as soon as I arrived at the office, whispers followed me everywhere.

"Is she really the daughter of that murderer? How does she even have the nerve to apply for manager?"

"She's just clinging to Mr. Carter! Now that Ms. Jones is here, there's no room for her."

"Yeah! Didn't you notice? Mr. Carter couldn't take his eyes off Ms. Jones today."

"I feel sorry for Ms. Jones. She lost her parents because of her. What a tragic fate."

I returned to my desk in a daze and glanced over at Elena's spot.

Elena simply sat at her desk as she listened to the whispers. She was quietly wiping away her tears.

The others only grew more resentful upon seeing her cry.

"She has the killer's blood. We'd better stay away from her."

As everyone dispersed, Elena walked over with a triumphant look.

"Nat, you've worked hard for the manager role, but with Ryan supporting you, you don't really need it. I'm different. I never take money from men, so I really need this job."

I scoffed. How could she act so self-righteous when she was living off a job handed to her by Ryan?

Elena leaned close and whispered in my ear, "It's just a job, but you still owe me two lives."

I stared at her and said, "I apologize for the death of your parents on behalf of my father. I'm withdrawing from the selection. Good luck."

As I packed up to leave, Elena slapped me across the face. I was about to fight back when Ryan arrived.

Elena tearfully complained, "Ryan, the coworkers found out about Nat's father. I tried to defend her, but she called me a busybody and said my parents deserved to die. I lost control and hit her."

Without a word, Ryan grabbed my throat in front of everyone.

As I struggled for air, a vague memory flashed. Years ago, a debt collector had done the same to force me to repay money.

Back then, Ryan had torn that man's arm off, swearing no one would ever lay a finger on me again.

Now, everything had changed. After Elena's relentless pleading, Ryan finally loosened his grip as if granting a favor. He gave me a cold look and said, "Kneel and apologize to El right now. Don't forget who's been supporting you all these years."

I kneeled quietly outside the manager's office until late into the night.

Before leaving, I propped up my stiff legs and placed my resignation letter on Ryan's desk.

Ryan invited me into his car as we headed to the party the next day.

After a moment of silence, he said, "I've approved your resignation. Don't try to compete with Elena. As long as you behave, the Carters can support you for life."

I nodded calmly and asked, "What's Mr. Daniel's room number? Take me to see him."