Chapter 2

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.