Chapter 2

Arabella sat on the couch, staring at Regina kneeling on the floor, her fingers slowly curling into a fist.

In her past life, she had softened at exactly this moment and taken Regina in, letting her gradually take over her place.

Just thinking about how her three brothers had forced her to give blood in that life made Arabella break into a cold sweat.

"Arabella?" Regina saw that Arabella had been silent for a long time and choked out tearfully, "Do you not want to take me in? I'm sorry, I know I was being too forward. I'll leave now."

As she made a move to stand up, all three brothers moved almost at the same time.

"Regina, don't go!" Second brother Justin stepped forward to defend her, then turned to look at Arabella with reproach in his eyes. "Arabella, say something. Regina's mom just died. How is she supposed to survive out there on her own?"

"Exactly." Third brother Easton walked over too. "I thought you used to be so kind. How can you just turn your back on her now?"

Eldest brother Winston said nothing, just watched Arabella quietly, though the displeasure in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Arabella watched the scene unfold and felt a cold laugh rise inside her.

So even if she refused, her three brothers would find a way to get Regina moved in.

She had been so foolish. In her past life, she never noticed that right at this very moment, her brothers' hearts had already started tilting toward Regina.

The problem was, she was just a college student now. She still needed the Obelon family's protection. It wasn't time to burn bridges with her brothers yet.

Since she couldn't change the fact that Regina was moving in, she might as well take control of the situation herself.

Arabella slowly sat up straight, picked up the warm coffee from the table, took a small sip, and said quietly, "Fine."

A flash of joy crossed Regina's eyes immediately.

The three brothers' expressions relaxed too. They were just about to speak when Arabella's voice came again: "However—"

She looked at Regina with a half-smile. "The Obelon family doesn't keep people who don't pull their weight. Your mother worked as our housekeeper for so many years and always gave it her all. Now that she's gone, you're her daughter. Why don't you take her place and keep working for the Obelon family?"

The moment those words landed, second brother Justin was the first to object. "Arabella, what are you talking about? Regina looks so fragile. How could she do housekeeping work?"

Winston frowned too. "Arabella, don't go too far. Regina just lost her mother. If you make her work as a housekeeper, what will people think?"

"Winston's right." Arabella nodded, her tone still calm. "That's exactly why I said she should be working. Think about it — Regina has no connections and no qualifications. If she just moves into our home for no reason, people will think something inappropriate is going on between her and you. But if she earns her room and board through work, everyone will see the Obelon family as generous for giving Regina a way to support herself."

She looked at Regina with a sincere expression. "Regina, I'm doing this for you. You wouldn't want people talking, would you?"

Regina's nails dug into her palm.

She looked at Arabella and felt that something was off, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Everyone said Arabella was kind and naive, soft-hearted and easy to fool. But every word this person in front of her said had her completely cornered, leaving no room to push back.

She could only turn her pleading eyes toward Winston, the one who held the most power in the house.

Winston was quiet for a moment before finally speaking. "Arabella, Regina isn't an outsider. There's no need to draw such a hard line."

"Of course she's not an outsider." Arabella smiled and picked up the thread. "That's exactly why I need to teach her how things work here. Treating her like family means caring about what's actually good for her. We can't just feel sorry for her and let her fall into bad habits, can we?"

She sighed, a hint of resignation in her voice. "If you think I'm handling this wrong, then forget I said anything. But I'll say it again — the Obelon family doesn't keep people who don't contribute. Either she works, or you find her a place outside and cover her monthly expenses. That's your call."

With that, she picked up her cup and sipped her coffee at a leisurely pace, not looking at anyone.

The three brothers exchanged glances.

They wanted to argue, but every word Arabella had said was reasonable. There was nothing to pick apart.

Regina stood there, her expression shifting over and over.

She had come today expecting that if she played the victim, Arabella would soften up like before and welcome her in like a little sister.

She had already mapped out her next steps — move into the Obelon house, slowly win over the three brothers, then little by little push Arabella out.

But now, with just a few words, Arabella had pushed her straight into the role of a housekeeper. How was she ever supposed to become Mrs. Obelon from there?

Still, things had already come this far, and she was afraid she'd never get another opportunity like this.

"I'll do what Arabella says." Regina bit her lip and forced a sweet smile. "I'm willing to work. As long as I can stay, that's enough."

She kept her head down, her voice soft, eyes still glistening with tears. She looked utterly pitiful.

The three brothers' hearts clenched at the sight of her.

Justin opened his mouth to say something, but a look from Winston stopped him.

"Then it's settled." Winston glanced at Arabella, something complicated in his expression. "Arabella, you handle the arrangements."

Arabella set down her cup and smiled pleasantly. "Of course. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Regina."

Regina's face went a shade paler. She had a feeling there was more to those words than what was on the surface.

Sure enough, once the three brothers had left, Arabella walked over to her with a triumphant smile. "Regina, starting tomorrow, you'll be staying in the staff quarters. And remember — six o'clock in the morning!"

"Six o'clock? That early?" Regina said, startled.

"What's wrong?" Arabella blinked. "The brothers leave for work at seven. If you don't get up early to make breakfast and they're late, are you going to take responsibility for that?"

Regina clenched her jaw and forced herself to agree. "Fine. Six it is."

"Good." Arabella nodded, satisfied. "I knew you'd be sensible. Alright, get some rest tonight. You start for real tomorrow. The head housekeeper will walk you through everything."

Regina stood there, the sweet look on her face barely holding together.

Arabella went back to her room and slept soundly. She hadn't slept that well in a long time.

The next morning, Arabella got up as usual to get ready for school.

After washing up and putting on her uniform, she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs — and heard laughter drifting in from the back garden.

Curious, she walked toward it and found Regina sitting on a swing, her white dress lifting in the breeze, her smile bright and carefree.

Easton stood behind her, pushing the swing in a steady rhythm, his face soft with warmth and indulgence.

Easton was the youngest son in the family. With Winston running the company and Justin handling outside affairs, Easton had spent most of his time living it up with no real responsibilities — and had eventually stopped going into the company altogether.

That, it turned out, had given him plenty of time to spend with Regina.