She needed money. She needed a lot of it.
If she had her own wealth, she could move her mother out of this house. She could buy a place where the assassins could never find them.
"Moreover," Elena thought as she chopped a carrot, "I need to find a way to get to a computer."
The servants were not allowed to use the mansion's technology.
They were expected to be invisible. But Elena knew the house better than anyone. She knew that Liam had a private study in the library that he rarely used during the day.
"Elena! Go to the laundry and help with the linens!"
The voice belonged to Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper. She was a stern woman who wore a tight bun and a frown.
She did not like Elena because Elena was too pretty. Mrs. Gable thought beauty was a distraction for a maid.
"Yes ma'am," Elena replied.
She walked toward the laundry room, which was located in the basement.
As she walked, she passed the grand staircase. She heard voices coming from the foyer.
"He is finally home. My son, the heir."
It was Margaret Sterling. Her voice was sharp.
Elena hid behind a marble pillar. She watched as Margaret embraced Liam.
Arthur Sterling stood nearby. He looked at his son with an expression that was not love. It was a look of ownership.
"The Thorne family is coming for dinner tonight," Arthur said. His voice was deep and lacked any emotion.
"Isabella is looking forward to seeing you, Liam. Do not disappoint me."
Liam nodded. He looked bored. "I just got back, Father. Can I at least have a drink first?"
"You will have a drink when the business is settled," Arthur replied.
Elena watched them from the shadows. Isabella Thorne.
The name made her blood run cold. In her past life, Isabella was the one who ordered the deaths of her mother and her child.
Isabella was a woman who hid a monster behind a beautiful face.
At the time in this life, Isabella and Liam were not engaged yet. The parents were still pushing for the alliance.
In the past, Elena's presence had caused Liam to fight his parents. He had used Elena as an excuse to avoid Isabella.
I will not be his excuse this time, Elena thought. If he wants to fight his parents, he can do it alone.
She turned away and headed to the basement. The laundry room was hot and filled with steam.
Large machines hummed and shook. Elena spent the next four hours folding heavy white sheets and starching shirts.
Her back ached. Her hands became red and sore.
But she did not complain. Every time she felt tired, she remembered the image of the silent crib in her apartment.
She remembered the fire that Isabella's men had started.
The pain in her body was a tool. It kept her focused.
By the time evening arrived, the mansion was buzzing with energy. The Thorne family had arrived. The kitchen was a place of chaos. Martha was plate-dressing expensive appetizers.
"Elena, take these to the dining hall," Mrs. Gable ordered. She handed Elena a silver tray filled with crystal glasses of champagne.
Elena hesitated. She did not want to see Isabella yet. She was not sure if she could keep her face calm.
But she had no choice. She took the tray and walked toward the dining room.
The dining room was lit by a massive crystal chandelier. The light bounced off the silver forks and the fine china.
The Thorne family was seated opposite the Sterlings.
Isabella Thorne was wearing an orange silk dress. She looked perfect. Her hair was styled in soft waves.
She laughed at something Arthur Sterling said even when it wasn't funny. It was a beautiful laugh. It was also fake.
Elena moved around the table with professional grace. She kept her head down. She served Arthur first, then Margaret.
"Thanks," Isabella said as Elena placed a glass in front of her.
Elena did not look up. "You are welcome Miss."
She moved to Liam. As she set the glass down, her hand brushed against his. It was a small contact, but Liam's hand suddenly gripped her wrist.
Elena froze.
"You missed a spot on this glass," Liam said. His voice was quiet, but it carried across the table.
The entire room went silent. Arthur Sterling frowned. Isabella's eyes narrowed as she looked at Elena.
Elena looked at her wrist. Liam's grip was firm. He was looking at her with an intensity that made her heart race. He was trying to provoke her again. He wanted her to look at him. He wanted to see that fire in her eyes.
But Elena did the opposite. She went limp. She looked at the glass with a dull expression.
"I am very sorry sir," Elena said. Her voice was high and timid. She sounded like a frightened servant. "I will bring you a new one immediately. Please forgive my clumsiness."
She looked like a mouse. She looked boring.
Liam's grip loosened. His expression changed from curiosity to disappointment. He let go of her wrist as if she were a piece of trash.
"Just go," he muttered.
Elena bowed her head. She took the glass and walked out of the room. She did not look back.
Once she was in the hallway, she exhaled. She had successfully made him lose interest. Or so she hoped.
However, she had seen something important.
On the table, next to Isabella's hand, was a small velvet pouch. Isabella was showing off a new set of emerald earrings.
Elena remembered those earrings.
In a few hours, Isabella would lose one in the garden while she was walking with Liam. She would accuse a maid of stealing it.
In the past life, that maid had been Martha. Martha had been searched and humiliated. She had almost lost her job.
Not this time, Elena thought.
She knew exactly where the earring would fall. She knew the exact bush where it would land.
Elena did not go back to the kitchen. Instead, she slipped out through the side door and into the dark garden. The night air was cool. The crickets were singing.
She walked toward the rose garden. She found the spot near the stone bench. She waited in the shadows.
A few minutes later, she heard voices. Liam and Isabella were walking down the path...