...
As Esther arrived home feeling exhausted,after a long day at the Stokes diner she was craving for a warm bathe.
After a while of preparing her water, she slipped into the rosy milk bath, letting the warm water envelop her tense muscles. The bath oils infused her skin, making it glow like moonlight under the dim lights emitting from the full moon.
The scent of lavender and chamomile wafted through the air, calming her senses. After emerging from the bathroom, Esther wrapped herself in a silk robe, feeling the soft fabric caress her skin. She walked to her desk, where her laptop was open, and began coding.
The gaming app she was developing was not only entertaining but also helped users relax. She had received offers from different gaming companies, but she was uninterested in working under someone.
Her main goal was to finish high school and apply to Heavenly University, a prestigious school in the country. Only then could she slip away from the Stokes family and investigate more on her family background. She knew her background was complicated, and each time she investigated, she ended up at a dead end.
As she shut her laptop, Esther's eyes landed on the dress she would wear to the party welcoming Lachlan Stokes. She hurriedly changed and left her apartment, taking a cab to Park Hall.
...
Meanwhile, Genesis Stokes was fuming with anger, her eyes blazing with fury. She had been contemplating ways to put Esther in her place, and her anger had reached a boiling point.
The senior maid, Nancy Li, knocked on the door, her heart beating faster as she knew Genesis's temper was unpredictable.
"Yes, Young Mistress?" Nancy asked, her voice monotone and subservient. Genesis's smile was shrewd and evil as she gazed at Nancy.
"Nancy Li, it has been a while since we last talked." Nancy's eyes locked onto Genesis's, her expression unreadable.
"I want you to ruin Esther's name in front of the young heir," Genesis said, her voice laced with malice. "Taint her name, and make her appear bad. If possible, make her be known worldwide as nothing but a pretty vase."
Nancy's smile was cruel as she replied,
"I wouldn't let you down, Young Miss. Consider it done." Genesis's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, knowing that Nancy would stop at nothing to achieve her goal. As Nancy left the room, she felt a sense of excitement and anticipation.
She would finally have the opportunity to take revenge on Esther and rise through the ranks of the Stokes family. The game was on, and Nancy was ready to play. Nancy Li's fingers flew across the phone's keypad as she dialed a number, her eyes gleaming with determination.
Despite her appearance as a poor maid, she was a force to be reckoned with, having acquired connections while living in the Stokes Villa that made her seem like a member of the family.
As the call went through, a hoarse yet low voice reverberated in her head, belonging to Gilbert Gu, her master from her teenage years. Gilbert Gu was a powerful figure in society, with connections that made Nancy Li feel secure. However, she was uncertain if he would take her seriously after what had happened to her family.
The voice on the other end of the line was impatient, "Who is this?" Nancy Li's heart ached as she replied, "Master Gu, it is me-Nancy Li, one of your students. It has been long-"