Chapter 6

Alice’s POV

He is such a cold-hearted beast.

Ordering me around like I’m some kind of servant—well, technically, I am one now, but that’s beside the point!

I gritted my teeth as I walked down the hallway toward Steve’s room.

I can’t believe I agreed to work for this man.

It’s like I signed up for torture.

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

I was doing this for my mother.

My mother.

Why did she have to steal those diamonds?

Yes, we were poor, but we weren’t starving. We weren’t desperate.

And now, I was paying the price for her sins.

The things we do for family, right?

I shook my head as I reached Steve’s door and knocked lightly.

Steve’s Room

When I stepped inside, I found him already awake, sitting up in bed with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Steve," I greeted.

"Good morning, Alice!" he chirped, his little face lighting up.

At least someone in this house is pleasant.

"Your father asked me to get you ready for school," I continued. "Please go take a bath while I get your clothes ready."

"Okay, Aunty!" Steve grinned before jumping off his massive king-sized bed and running toward the bathroom.

I chuckled as I watched him disappear behind the door.

"He’s so adorable. I just want to kiss his cheeks all day."

He was nothing like his father.

Where Andrew was cold, arrogant, and insufferable, Steve was sweet, cheerful, and full of life.

Complete opposites.

At least I had one person in this mansion I could relate to.

I sighed and walked over to his closet, opening the massive doors to look for something cute to wear.

But the moment I started browsing through his clothes, I froze.

"Why does a six-year-old own clothes that look like they belong to a sixty-year-old?"

Everything was so… formal.

Suits, dress pants, button-up shirts—was this a kid’s closet or a miniature businessman’s wardrobe?

It looked like his father just picked whatever he saw in a store without considering if it was actually appropriate for a child.

I frowned and kept searching until I finally found something decent—a big white T-shirt, blue rugged jeans, and a pair of black sneakers.

"This is much better."

I laid the outfit on his bed, and within minutes, Steve came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.

The moment he saw the clothes, his eyes lit up.

"I like these!" he cheered before rushing into his dressing room to change.

Breakfast Time

A few minutes later, Steve came out, fully dressed but with his shoelaces untied.

"Aunty, can you help me tie my shoes?" he asked, looking up at me with those puppy-dog eyes.

I melted.

"Of course, dear."

I knelt and tied his shoelaces neatly.

"All done," I said, patting his leg.

"Thank you, Aunty!" he beamed before running downstairs.

"Steve, be careful!" I called after him.

But he was already gone.

That boy had energy for days.

I followed him downstairs and found him rushing through his breakfast like he was in some kind of race.

"Steve, slow down!" I scolded. "Why are you eating so fast?"

"Aunty, I can’t wait for you to take me to school!" he exclaimed, his mouth still full.

I laughed. "Me too, dear, but you have to eat slowly, or you’ll choke."

"Okay, Aunty."

I sat down and waited while he finished his food.

Once he was done, I made sure he had everything packed for school before leading him to my car.I started the ignition, but just as I was about to drive off, there was a tap on my window.

I turned and saw Jordan, the butler.

I rolled the window down.

"Miss Alice, you two can’t go in this car," he said.

I frowned. "Then how am I supposed to take him to school?"

"We have a car for that."

I turned to Steve. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Steve shrugged. "That’s not my job, Jordy."

I stifled a laugh.

Jordan sighed, clearly used to Steve’s antics. "Come with me. I’ll show you the car you’re supposed to use."

I helped Steve out of my car, and we followed Jordan around the mansion.

Then he stopped and pointed.

I gasped.

"You mean… that?"

Sitting in front of me was a sleek, black limousine.

"Unfortunately, yes," Jordan confirmed.

My jaw nearly hit the ground.

"I have to take Steve to school in a limousine?"

Jordan gave me a bored look. "Yes. That’s the standard vehicle for Master Steve."

I blinked. "How am I supposed to drive this thing?"

Jordan rolled his eyes. "You don’t. We have a driver, you idiot. You’re just supposed to make sure Steve arrives safely and then come back."

I crossed my arms. "Gosh, why are you so grumpy? When Andrew is around, you act all proper, but when he’s gone, you’re like a whole different person."

Jordan smirked. "He’s my boss. If I act rude to him, I’ll lose my job. Unlike you, I actually want to keep mine."

I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, fine. Let’s go, Steve. We don’t want to be late for school."

"Okay, Aunty!"

Steve happily climbed into the limo, and I followed.

Within seconds, we were off.

Andrew’s POV

I sat in the boardroom, staring blankly at the conference table.

A representative from Ink Corporation was giving a proposal about… something.

But I wasn’t listening.

I just nodded whenever it seemed appropriate.

Because my mind was completely elsewhere.

On her.

What has this girl done to me?

I couldn’t stop thinking about the way she had stormed out of my presence… and then returned.

Most people wouldn’t dare walk out on me, let alone come back.

But she did.

And when I saw her again, standing in my living room, something about her presence unnerved me.

Her hair, the way it smelled like roses.

Her bright, defiant eyes.

Her stubbornness, the way she fought back instead of cowering.

And that smile.

That beautiful, breathtaking smile.

I exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the table.

She was getting under my skin.

And I hated it.

I hated how I couldn’t get her out of my mind.

She was driving me crazy.