Semua Bab From Maid to Heiress : Bab 21 - Bab 30

22 Shelved Dreams Five Years Later The mall buzzed with life. Carts rolled across polished floors, children tugged at their parents’ hands, and clusters of shoppers filled the aisles with chatter that rose and fell like a tide. The air was laced with the scent of fried snacks from the food court and the faint, sterile chill of air conditioning.Behind one of the counters stood Tessy, dressed in the mall’s uniform. The scanner beeped rhythmically in her hand as she swiped items across it, calling out totals with a tired but steady voice.Exhaustion clung to her face, subtle lines of weariness softening her features, but her beauty hadn’t dimmed. Her wavy black hair was pulled into a practical ponytail, her ember-hued eyes catching the overhead light whenever she looked up. Her lips, small and quirked naturally at the edges, still held a kind of quiet grace.She was no longer the girl she’d been years ago. She had grown into a striking young woman but her life circumstances hadn’t gr

24Goodbyes and Beginnings Tessy folded her clothes neatly, tucking them into the suitcase one after another. She moved around the small room in a quiet rhythm, fold, place, smooth, like she was trying to keep her thoughts from spilling over. The night moon spilled its silver light through the window, brushing over her face and lighting up the room in soft shades. A faint breeze pushed the curtains inward, shifting them lazily and revealing the world outside.Her eyes drifted. Just beyond, Ryan’s bedroom window stood across the space. She froze, caught off guard by the sight. Memories surged without warning, his voice, his laughter, the sting of his words. For a heartbeat, she let herself feel it, then shook her head sharply. No. Even if she somehow bumped into him in the city, which was unlikely, she would walk past like a stranger. There was nothing left to say. And she was certain he’d ignore her too. Especially after the words he flung at her.The creak of the door snapped her ou

26The Young MasterTessy lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a storm of thoughts. The time read 5:45 a.m. She was supposed to be up by six, but she had already been awake since four, tossing and turning, replaying everything.How had she gotten here? And what was she going to do now?Should she run? Should she slip out before anyone noticed, vanish back into the city, and pretend this never happened?But where would she go? She had no place to stay. Maybe she could use some of her savings to rent a tiny room and find another job. But in Haven City, jobs were scarce, and without connections… her chances were slim.And she couldn’t go back to the town either. What would she do there? Spin in the same endless cycle, no growth, no future.No. She had to make this work.Last night, after calling Grams over and over with no answer, she had finally given up and called Patty and Bruno. They had talked for hours, and she hadn’t breathed a word of what she had gotten herself into.

28A Choice to Stay“The young master is at the table. You can go serve his food,” Lilly informed Tessy.Tessy picked up the last dish and walked into the dining area. Her eyes met Ryan’s briefly, he looked dangerously handsome, his shirt clinging to him, the jacket tossed carelessly over a nearby chair.She snapped her gaze away immediately and moved to his side, dishing his food with practiced ease. When her hand brushed against his arm, sparks flared through her skin. His warmth seeped into her, a cruel reminder against the cold air of the mansion.Tessy jerked her hand back at once, forcing herself to stay composed. Her face remained tight and unreadable, her eyes never daring to meet his. She finished serving, then stepped aside, standing at a respectful distance where she could see him clearly.Ryan began eating reluctantly, his jaw set and his movements stiff. Tessy fixed her gaze on the floor, lost in her thoughts, wondering if she had truly made the right choice being here.A

30Behind Closed Doors Ryan pushed through the crowded club, one hand buried in his pocket. Heads turned instantly, whispers rippled, eyes widened. Women drifted toward him, hungry hands reaching, but he swatted them off with sharp claps of irritation. His glare froze them in place, yet their eyes still glittered with excitement.They knew his reputation. If luck was on their side and his mood aligned, he’d pick one, fuck her senseless, and send her back with a story that made the rest ache for their turn. That was enough to keep them circling.But tonight, Ryan wasn’t in a mood. His thoughts were a storm.He made his way to the private lounge reserved for him, his friends, and the occasional client. Dropping into the leather chair, he sprawled his legs wide, jacket unbuttoned, shirt clinging like a second skin. His head tipped back, jaw tense, and eyes closed.A waitress in uniform approached, biting her lip as her gaze devoured him. She smoothed her skirt, cleared her throat softly