Chapter 1

After my mom, Eva Freeman, divorced, she took me to the Floyd family. She didn't care about her status. As long as she had food and someone bought her handbags, that was enough for her.

She wasn't satisfied just sucking up to them herself. She shoved me in front of their eldest son, Robin Floyd, and made me his personal servant.

Robin absolutely hated Eva, and he despised me just as much.

But I didn't care. I actually loved being his little sidekick.

Whenever Robin wanted shrimp, I'd peel them for him.

Whenever he ate grapes, I'd cup my hands to catch the seeds.

After the SAT, I easily got into Robin's company as an intern.

I ousted his favorite secretary and became his new one.

Everything was going great until the news of his arranged marriage dropped.

Robin held my hand tight and made me choose between him or the family fortune.

I shoved him away without a second thought.

I said, "If you want to leave, that's your call. I'm not going anywhere. I'm sticking around for the inheritance."

*****

Less than a year after Sapphire Floyd passed away, Eva had already snagged Russell Floyd.

She couldn't wait to drag me into the Floyd family.

In the lavish living room, I met Robin for the first time.

He came down the spiral staircase at a measured pace, dressed in a black turtleneck, his long legs and flawless, pale features making him look like he belonged in a magazine.

But the way he looked down at me from above, his eyes brimming with intense hatred, made me feel small.

I hid behind Eva, peeking at him cautiously.

My heart was pounding like crazy.

"Barbara, this is your brother," Eva said with a forced smile, pushing me forward.

She shoved me ahead, her fake smile making it obvious she was doing it just to piss him off.

Just as I expected, before I could even say a word, Robin spat right in my face.

I forced back my tears.

I wiped my face, looked up at him, and forced a smile as I called out, "Brother."

Russell's face fell, and he rushed over to try and smooth things out.

He scolded Robin a few times, then turned to me and said I was really sensible.

I scoffed to myself, a bitter laugh echoing in my head.

He wasn't wrong about that.

At least I knew exactly what kind of situation Eva and I were in now.

Eva had no background or connections, so the only thing she could rely on in the Floyd family was Russell.

But Russell's success was all thanks to Sapphire in the first place.

After Sapphire passed away, all her shares were inherited by Robin.

As for me, Robin and I weren't siblings by blood, so there was no chance I'd ever inherit any of Russell's shares.

Eva and I might've looked like we were living the high life, but in reality, we had no real power or voice in the Floyd family.

So, I had to make sure I stayed on Robin's good side, no matter what.

As long as we weren't at each other's throats, that was enough for me.

For the next ten years, I spent every single day catering to Robin's every whim.

Whenever he had shrimp, I'd peel them for him.

Whenever he ate grapes, I'd hold out my hands for the seeds.

I was easier to boss around than any of the Floyd family's servants.

They'd laugh at me behind my back, talk about me, and look down on me.

But Robin loved it. He gave me plenty of favors.

But he never once gave me a friendly look.

He'd bring in exclusive tutors for private sessions at home, and every summer or winter break, I'd get invites to programs at top schools.

They'd drop tens of thousands into my account like it was nothing.

As long as the cash kept rolling in, I didn't give a damn what people said.

But Eva couldn't stand it. At thirty-five, she pushed herself to have a third child.

She just didn't get it. It wouldn't stop me from sucking up to Robin.

Because it wasn't just his power I was after. I wanted him, too.