“Even if you beat Aunt Rowena to death, Calvin won’t come back,” Travis said coldly, his voice devoid of warmth. “Don’t turn yourself into a laughingstock.”

His emotionless words only deepened the sorrow in Rowena’s eyes.

“Travis!” Rowena cried out, voice cracking under the weight of grief. “That woman is a bearer of misfortune. You should’ve gotten rid of her long ago!”

Good idea, Hailey thought darkly. It’d be wonderful if they kicked me out.

But Travis’s next move shattered that fragile hope.

Without warning, his hand clamped onto Hailey’s shoulder. In one effortless motion, he dragged her in front of Rowena like she weighed nothing more than a stray kitten.

“This woman,” Travis said, his icy gaze sweeping the room, “never wanted to return to the Blake mansion after leaving the hospital.”

His grip tightened.

“But I already told her—the rest of her life belongs to the Blake family. Alive, dead… even her ghost will still be a Blake.”

The room fell silent at his words.

He repeated it again. Cold. Final. Unshakable.

Alive, dead… her ghost would still be a Blake.

On the third repetition, Rowena let out a twisted, bitter laugh that sent chills down Hailey’s spine.

“Fine!” Rowena spat. “Let her rot in the Blake family as a widow for the rest of her miserable life!”

Humiliation and anger burned Hailey’s cheeks. Her teeth clenched so tightly they ached. The pity she’d once felt for Rowena in the hospital faded like smoke.

There’s a reason she’s this cruel, Hailey realized.

Glaring at Travis with pure disdain, she shoved his hand off her shoulder, her head held high as she walked past him without a word. Her blank expression masked the storm brewing beneath the surface.

The following days blurred together.

Inside the grand Blake mansion, it was as if Hailey didn’t exist. Neither the servants nor the family acknowledged her. It didn’t matter if she was the young lady of the house or a lowly maid—she was invisible.

Maybe… she thought bitterly, I really did die with Calvin at the hospital. Maybe I’m just a ghost now, haunting this place.

The suffocating walls closed in on her. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she left the mansion.

Without permission. Without informing anyone.

The cool breeze outside brushed against her face, carrying the scent of freedom. For the first time in days, her lungs filled with fresh air.

If I’d known it felt like this, she thought, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time trying to fix things with those people.

A soft smile crept across her lips, light and genuine.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of sharp eyes watched from the shadows.

Travis had just stepped out of the house. His gaze landed on Hailey’s fleeting smile.

“Follow her,” Travis instructed the driver in a low voice.

The black sedan trailed her at a distance, its speed deliberately slow to avoid drawing attention.

Hailey kept her head down, eyes on her phone’s navigation. She searched for the nearest bus stop, and in that moment, she finally understood—there were no convenient buses nearby.

The Blake family estate was so enormous it pushed public transportation far beyond reach.

In the distance, she spotted the small bus stop sign, but before she could get there, a familiar voice cut through the wind.

“Didn’t I arrange a car and driver for you?”

Hailey turned slightly, meeting Travis’s disapproving eyes as his car crept up beside her.

Samuel and the bodyguard exchanged uneasy glances, hearing the edge in their boss’s voice.

“I’ll call the butler… find out what happened,” the bodyguard whispered.

Minutes later, the report came back.

Besides the doorman, only three people knew Hailey had left the house—the driver, Samuel, and the bodyguard in the car.

Travis’s expression darkened.

“Dock the butler’s bonus this month,” he ordered coolly. “Fire the driver. Find a replacement.”

Samuel and the bodyguard exchanged another glance. Their boss’s reaction wasn’t out of anger toward Hailey—it was something… deeper. Something possessive.

Back at the mansion, everyone thought Hailey had fallen out of favor. They avoided her, thinking it was the safest way to survive.

But clearly, they misunderstood.

The black car rolled to a gentle stop beside her again. The door clicked open.

The same bodyguard stepped out, bowing slightly. His voice was polite but firm.

“Young madam… please get in the car.”

Hailey glanced at the bus stop not far away, then crouched slightly to peer into the car. Travis sat inside, eyes fixed straight ahead, face expressionless.

“Thank you for your kindness,” Hailey said calmly, “but I’ll be fine taking the bus.”

At her words, Travis’s head turned. His sharp, displeased gaze locked onto her.

“Do you want the public to think the Harvey family mistreats their new lady? That she can only afford a public bus to go out?”

His voice was low, cold, carrying just enough weight to stifle any further protest.

Hailey's lips pressed into a line. The so-called "Harvey family young lady" title was known only to the Harveys and the Stewarts. As far as the world was concerned, she was just… no one.

What’s wrong with taking the bus? she thought, but wisely kept it to herself.

She hesitated, debating whether to reveal her destination. But Travis’s patience had run thin.

“Get in the car,” he ordered, voice taut with growing irritation.

Suppressing a snort, Hailey got in. It’s you who insists on taking me where I want to go, she thought darkly. It has nothing to do with me. The faintest smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. I can’t wait to see your expression when you find out where I’m headed.

From the driver’s seat, Samuel caught Travis’s reflection in the rearview mirror. The boss had his eyes closed, his face as still as a statue. Samuel hesitated, then braved the silence.

“Young madam… where would you like to go?”

Hailey’s smile deepened, the corners of her eyes shimmering with mischief.

“Cirrus Embroidery.”

She deliberately enunciated the name, her voice crisp, clear, and just loud enough to ensure there were no misunderstandings.

The car, steady until now, jolted slightly. The sudden movement made Samuel’s hands tense on the steering wheel.

“Apologies… my hands slipped,” Samuel muttered, cold sweat prickling his forehead.

The air inside the car thickened. Everyone knew the ninth-generation heir of Cirrus Embroidery, Annie Yates, and the soon-to-be fiancée, Michelle. They also knew the future owner of the store was… untouchable to their boss. And yet, here Hailey was, requesting to go there.

Coincidence? Deliberate provocation? Even the bodyguard beside Samuel exchanged a worried glance.

Finally, Travis broke the silence. His voice was quiet, but laced with warning.

“Why are you going there?”

Inwardly, Hailey sneered, There it is. But outwardly, she feigned wide-eyed innocence, tilting her head toward him with the most harmless expression she could muster.

“My mother’s birthday is coming up,” she explained sweetly. “I thought I’d have a traditional dress made for her at Cirrus Embroidery.”

It was a lie, of course. She’d never spend a penny there—not in Luna and Annie’s store. Not after the past.

Travis’s sharp eyes scanned her from head to toe, pausing briefly at her simple, inexpensive outfit. His brows drew together in a faint frown.

“If you’re going, you might as well have two dresses made,” he said flatly. “As a young lady of the Harvey family, you should dress the part.”

He added casually, “Have the owner send the bill to Briley Group. Consider it a gift from me. For both of you.”

Hailey nearly burst out laughing. A gift? Please. He was just desperate for an excuse to see his little girlfriend.

But she held her expression steady, only the faintest glint of mockery in her eyes.

“Thank you for your kindness,” she said lightly, “but I happen to hate traditional dresses. So let’s not waste the trouble.”

Travis’s expression cracked for a split second. It was subtle, but satisfying. Rejection wasn’t something he experienced often—especially not when trying to be “generous.”

His jaw tensed. His lips twitched in annoyance. “Forget it, then,” he snapped.

His frustration only fueled Hailey’s quiet amusement. She pictured Michelle’s face when she saw her getting out of Travis’s car. The shock. The humiliation. And Luna? Maybe her jaw would hit the floor.

This is going to be fun, Hailey thought.

But Travis, predictably, ruined it.

As they neared Lotus Road—the intersection where Cirrus Embroidery stood in all its pretentious glory—Travis spoke coolly.

“Get out of the car.”

Hailey blinked in surprise. For a fleeting second, disappointment flickered across her face. So, he’s not going in?

Still, she plastered on a calm smile. “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Blake.”

Pushing the door open, she stepped out, her heart already rehearsing the stunned faces waiting inside.

Behind her, Travis watched her retreating figure through narrowed eyes, unreadable.

This woman…

The game was only just beginning.

Hailey wasn’t ready to give up that easily. She took a deep breath and forced herself to speak, though she knew how dangerous contradicting Travis could be.

“The place is very close,” she said, her voice steady despite the nerves tightening in her chest.

Travis’s lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. His eyes were cold, unreadable. “Since it’s so close,” he replied lazily, “you can walk the rest of the way.” His voice sharpened as he added, “Didn’t you say you enjoy walking and taking the bus?”

Before Hailey could respond, the bodyguard had already opened the car door. The implication was clear — get out.

Hailey gritted her teeth in frustration but had no choice. She stepped out of the car, the sharp click of the door closing behind her sounding final.

Standing on the sidewalk, she glared at the black Bentley as it disappeared down the street. “Ah, I didn’t expect him to be that childish,” she muttered under her breath, stomping her foot before heading toward Cirrus Embroidery.

What she didn’t know was that inside the car, Travis remained composed as he gave a new order to Samuel.

“Introduce her to two stylists,” he said coolly. “The way she dresses now — it’s an embarrassment to the Harvey family.”

Samuel acknowledged the order without a word, already making mental arrangements.

Lotus Road was lined with identical retro-style buildings, most three to four stories tall. Cirrus Embroidery, nestled between them, stood quietly with its modest storefront. The exterior carried the charm of an old establishment — polished wooden panels, muted signage, and window displays of delicate, hand-crafted traditional dresses.

Inside, the faint scent of fabric dye and herbs filled the air. Rolls of silk and intricate embroidery samples lined the shelves. A lush banana tree stood in the backyard, its broad leaves visible from the front window.

The ground floor bustled with tailors and customers browsing fabrics, while the upper floors were reserved for VIP clients. Hailey’s presence was like a pebble tossed into a still pond — small, but enough to ripple through the room.

Some of the old apprentices recognized her, but they exchanged awkward glances and deliberately avoided her.

Instead, a shop assistant unfamiliar to Hailey approached with a professional smile. But her eyes betrayed her quick judgment, flickering over Hailey’s simple, inexpensive clothing.

“Welcome, miss,” she said, polite but distant.

“I’m looking for your boss,” Hailey replied calmly, unfazed by the scrutiny.

The assistant’s smile faltered slightly. She gave Hailey another once-over, this time with open skepticism.

“Miss, our boss doesn’t personally take orders from just anyone. But we have excellent tailors here — their craftsmanship is top-notch, and the prices are more affordable.”

A familiar sharp-tongued employee. Luna always liked hiring those, Hailey thought with quiet amusement. Her eyes drifted toward the tailors mentioned — faces she recognized, people who once trained beside her, now deliberately avoiding her gaze.

One of them finally stepped forward, swallowing their discomfort as they gently nudged the assistant aside.

“The bosses… aren’t here,” the tailor said awkwardly.

“Oh?” Hailey’s lips curved into a cold smile. “They didn’t do anything shameful, did they? Why are they hiding?”

She let her eyes drift toward the two women in the corner, sneaking glances at her like nervous prey. Their discomfort only amused her further.

With a half-smile, Hailey added softly, “Then you’d better not plan on doing business today.”

The tailor hesitated, clearly torn. Finally, she leaned in and whispered, “I told you to leave for your own good. You know they’ve got a powerful backer now. The weak can’t fight the strong… why do you keep making things hard for yourself?”

Hailey’s expression didn’t waver, but her heart twisted bitterly. Of course, she knew. Luna had found herself a sponsor. A man with power and wealth — possibly standing behind Cirrus Embroidery now. And just minutes ago, Hailey had been thrown out of that man’s car.

Funny how small the world is, she thought.

“I don’t plan on fighting anyone,” Hailey said coolly. “I just have something she wants.”

The tailor hesitated. “Who…?”

“Tell her I’m here,” Hailey interrupted, her voice steady and sharp. “She’ll know me.”

A tense silence lingered as the tailor weighed her options. But in the end, curiosity always won.