Chapter 6 The Fake Heiress's Provocation

• Aurora’s POV:
• “Sweetheart, let’s talk this out like adults—no need to get physical.”
• I don’t know if it was the words “biological daughter” that snapped my dad back to his senses for a moment, or Mrs. Sharp’s calm intervention.
• Either way, Aides didn’t lay a hand on me again.
• “Kid, you’ve been through a lot out there. You just got back and don’t really know how things work around here yet. Let me have the servants take you to your room to freshen up first.”
• My mom, Mrs. Sharp, sighed deeply.
• Then she told the servant, “Take Miss Aurora to the side room on the second floor. Once everyone’s back tonight, we’ll introduce her to the rest of the family.”
• She said all this, talking about how I’d suffered outside, but her hand never loosened its grip on Evelyn’s.
• I nodded, swallowing the sting of disappointment.
• What the hell was I still hoping for?
• As the servant led me upstairs, I could still catch bits of their conversation behind me.
• “Evelyn, your dad should teach her a lesson so she won’t bully you later.”
• “Ethan, don’t say that. As long as you still consider me family, I don’t mind her being around.”
• “Aides, darling, let’s not put Aurora’s name in the family registry just yet. We’ll say she’s an adopted daughter to outsiders—I don’t want Evelyn to feel wronged…”
• “That’s exactly what I was thinking…”
• My sharp ears caught every word crystal clear, but inside, I felt oddly calm.
• The servant didn’t stop until we reached the very end of the second floor.
• He pushed open a door to reveal a tiny room, about 200 square feet, with a vacuum cleaner still shoved in the corner like it hadn’t been put away yet.
• Judging by the setup, this was probably an old storage room hastily cleaned up.
• I frowned but stepped inside anyway.
• After dropping off my bags, I pulled out a black-and-white photo from my suitcase.
• The woman in the picture had long, golden curls, sharp features, delicate brows and eyes, and a bright, radiant smile.
• I gently traced the photo’s surface and finally smiled.
• “Mom, I’m being good, okay? Even though things haven’t started off great with the family, I’ll do my best to fit in. Don’t worry.”
• Finding my family was Mom’s last wish.
• And I’d never once let her down.
• I was still unpacking when a woman in her twenties walked in.
• She was carrying some snacks and fruit.
• “Miss Aurora, I’m the personal assistant the madam arranged for you. I’ll be taking care of you from now on.”
• The woman gave me a once-over, her eyes dripping with undisguised contempt.
• “I used to be Miss Evelyn’s personal assistant, helping her with clothes and styling. But now, madam told me to come deal with you. I heard you’ve been living in some small town before, probably don’t know any fancy brands. Since you’re back with the Sharp Family, you can’t wear your old clothes anymore. Someone will bring you new outfits soon.”
• Her face was full of reluctance, but she had no choice but to obey.
• I sat down on the only sofa in the room and looked up at her. “What’s your name?”
• “Duoya!” She lifted her chin, full of attitude.
• “How long have you been with the Sharp Family?”
• “Five years. I spent two years in the Paris fashion scene before that. If the pay here wasn’t good, who’d want to do this servant crap?”
• “Oh really? If you’re so unhappy, then go back!”
• “We don’t need a personal assistant here. Tell your mother to send someone who actually knows how to clean. I’m picky about hygiene and I can’t stand anyone acting all high and mighty in front of me.”
• My tone was light but cold and commanding.
• Duoya froze, shock written all over her eyes. “You’re seriously kicking me out?”
• “If you’ve got someone to serve, I’m not about to steal their favorite. Don’t you think so?”
• I raised my eyes and locked gazes with her.
• “Get out!”
• “Miss Aurora, this is madam’s order…” Duoya protested.
• “No one’s orders matter here! Don’t make me say it again—get out!”
• Under my icy stare, Duoya visibly shrank back.
• Still, she kept up her tough act. “Sorry, Miss Aurora, but you don’t have the right to refuse madam’s arrangements yet. You’d better change quickly or you’ll be late for the family dinner!”
• Then she tried to grab my clothes.
• Smack!
• I dodged her hand and slapped her hard across the face without mercy.
• “Ah—!”
• “Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me like that?”
• “You—you’re Miss Evelyn’s assistant! How dare you hit me? Aren’t you afraid the head of the family will punish you?”
• “You’re just a maid. I hit you, so what? Especially since you don’t know your place and are stirring shit between me and my mother. I just got home and you’re already bullying me. Tell me, who do you think Dad and Mom will believe—you or me?”
• Duoya’s face went pale with panic. “Miss Aurora, I—I was just trying to warn you, please don’t misunderstand…”
• “Duoya, what’s going on here?” Evelyn came walking down the hallway.
• Duoya practically lunged at her like she’d found a savior.
• “Miss Evelyn, you have to back me up. Miss Aurora not only looks down on me for being your assistant before and refuses my service, she even hit me!”
• I crossed my arms and watched their little performance unfold.
• I didn’t miss the way they looked at each other, and with how Duoya just treated me, what else was there to figure out?
• Duoya was sent by Evelyn to test me—both a test and a provocation.
• This whole damn family drama is seriously a pain in the ass.
• “`