ll hadn't started preparing. That needed to change. I pulled o

shouldn't have sca

had a reputati

high, especially for a maid. But competition was brutal. The job might sound like just being a maid, but within the Kingsley Empire, that role carried intense resp

ed him ma

Li

ce Pr

Nonsens

o Makes No

Puni

ntouc

e where I had seen him before, or if I was just imagining it. Af

other on the hospital bed. We had been evicted from our home and

avy heart, I m

-

I wondered what they could possibly be discussing. Natalie wasn't particularly a good or bad friend. She was an orphan like my mom and had he

wing up no

Natalie finally left,

e have somewhere

ou're still not well. You sho

gh questions. Just

a suggestion.

I got ready and

here are we going?

a seriousness I hadn

ouse. He needs to be reminded t

we're dead. He doesn't

ed. "If he accepts you, it could c

This man abandoned you! Let me g

her. You'll l

-

Charles Whitte

The kind of property that could buy fifty other mansions. Grandeur

the bodygua

you want

ttemore," my

what's your bus

a Serene. I have

n he returned, it wasn't Charles

nd daughter," my m

over with a mix of c

u here for?" she a

Regina. I'd like to speak

a snapped. "Anything you

. she's his daughter. Her real name is Lily

he kind of laugh that eases ten

d to trap Charles. You think he'd fall for someone li

my voice trembling. Inside, I was breaking.

om a whore's daughter? You must be an

ing. Probably make more money than your mother if you t

my daughter like tha

And if you ever come here again with th

raging when Charles Whi

ng," Regina said, c

isgust. "You again? What th

ng tall, "but your daughter is here. T

oftness in his gaze.

ouched his other daughter's hand gently. "This girl? She's a

e. Beautiful daughter. I'm sorry

. Not a word to

more than

d there. The gua

bea

hrew u

s, taking the blows meant for me. Her body was bruised

stung

ble to talk. "I should have listened

s. "You need to rest. I need to prepare. T

-

came t

only pair of decent heels. I applied light makeup-just enough to enhance my fea

that was normal. It was

Empire. The place was a palace in its o

of us there. All

so many,"

side me replied. "Just

rl in a long gown, ro

he said. "Nice

Nice to mee

the pleasantries for when

was blunt, bu

iew questions, I was done in about two hours. The

d more about the Kingsley

vided into departments: kitchen, service, guest manag

cheerful, outspoken, and funny. For the short time I knew her,

, I was met by a nur

. That's not allowed. I'll give you till this weekend. Af

bomb d

money. Now

hope – and K

ou can tell if you'll get hired by how they react to you... and honestl

lieve in

ave

th free food, free clothing (u

y only

duate, from a broken background -- be a

nd maybe God