The problem Carabella has faced since childhood until now, every time she meets Larissa, she is always humiliated and treated like a beggar. Every time she is left at Alexander's residence, she always meets Larissa, who happens to come to visit to play with Jefferson. However, all Larissa does to her all this time is give orders, like ordering a slave to serve her. Every time Carabella succeeds in making her happy, Larissa without hesitation gives Carabella her leftover food and then forces her to finish it in a gentle manner.
Now Carabella is reunited with Larissa, who has grown into a beautiful adult woman. Despite their five-year age difference, she refuses to justify Larissa's actions, which have been quite painful. She's always imagined it in her mind, when in reality, she can only pretend to smile kindly, as she does now.
"Wow, I didn't expect to see you here, Carabella! How are you?" Larissa greeted with a warm smile, making Carabella feel less nervous about the situation.
"I've been fine all this time, Larissa." She stared at Larissa's radiant appearance in her white dress, making her start to envy her. "You're getting more and more beautiful."
"Thank you, Carabella. You too." She stared for a moment at the flowers she had gathered in the basket. "Wow, those roses are so beautiful! Are they all for me?"
"Oh, this rose–"
"You really are so kind, Carabella. I didn't expect you to be so considerate of me."
Jefferson's gaze was sharp as he stared at the sweet, innocent girl. He was furious that she was always taking orders from others, even though he hadn't even given Larissa the order to pick flowers. Was there someone in this house holding a grudge against Carabella, making her look like a slave?
"I actually ordered this for her, Larissa." Jefferson was forced to lie to his fiancée to make it look as if Carabella was not doing this task based on Larissa's orders.
"Didn't you say earlier that you wanted to pick it yourself? Why did you tell Carabella to pick it?"
"Because Carabella has been very experienced in picking beautiful roses since she was a child. Wouldn't relying on her actually benefit us?" Jefferson immediately grabbed the basket of flowers and handed it to Larissa. "Thank you for the flowers, Carabella."
"Glad to help you, Jefferson." Carabella bowed her head again.
Larissa gazed at the single rose in the basket with sparkling eyes. She inhaled its fresh scent, freshly picked. "I really like how fresh your roses are."
"It's great that you like it, Larissa."
Larissa snapped her fingers for a moment. "Speaking of which, how about we grab some cupcakes first? I actually bought some for you before I left, Jefferson."
A sweet smile graced his handsome face. He stared for a moment at the sweet woman who remained silent, her head bowed. "How about Carabella eating with us in the garden gazebo? She's actually part of my family from now on."
"That's true. I've always considered her family." Her gaze focused on a woman of lower rank than her. "Would you mind eating with us, Carabella? Moreover, I bought your favorite cupcake since childhood."
Carabella shook her head quickly. "Of course I want to eat with you."
Carabella was actually forced to comply with the couple's wishes because the contract she had signed the night before stipulated that she must comply with Jefferson's wishes under any circumstances. If she violated the agreement, she would have to pay a substantial fine, which would take a significant amount of time to raise. Therefore, she felt like she was being used as a puppet by this couple.
In the garden gazebo, Carabella kept her head down, feeling unworthy of dining with a wealthy couple. Larissa busily distributed the cupcakes she had bought for Jefferson and poured Carabella chamomile tea.
"Thanks for joining us, Carabella. I remember you used to love drinking my chamomile tea."
Jefferson remained silent, staring at the sweet woman, who looked anxious. However, if he intervened now, it would only cause a bigger misunderstanding.
"Thank you for the tea, Larissa. Of course I still like it until now." Carabella took a moment to sip the tea gracefully.
"Speaking of which, it's been six years since we last saw each other, and now you're suddenly visiting Jefferson's house. What's going on?"
"I actually-"
"Larissa, can you listen to me for a moment? There's something I need to tell you." Jefferson was forced to use this method so Larissa wouldn't force Carabella to answer useless questions.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I will not live in this house anymore starting today."
Her eyes widened. "What?! Why are you only telling me now? Where are you going to live?"
"For the time being I will live in the newly built house."
"But isn't it too soon to move there? Didn't you promise me you'd move in with me after we got married?"
"Because I'm just curious about what it's like living there. Shouldn't I experience it first so you can feel comfortable? If you're uncomfortable the first day we move in, are you going to stay in a hotel forever?"
In the end, Larissa nodded rather than continue arguing with her fiancé. "You're right. Besides, I'm a perfectionist, just like you."
"That's why I want to stay there temporarily. If anything's missing, I can immediately ask a technician to renovate our house."
"I understand. I won't stop you from staying there alone." Larissa's gaze returned to Carabella, who was still silent, sipping chamomile tea. "By the way, Carabella, I don't think I can finish this strawberry cupcake because I'm suddenly full. Would you mind helping me finish it?" Larissa shifted her plate, which had a quarter of a strawberry cupcake left.
Carabella had expected this kind of humiliation, as the gardener's daughter. Now 18, should she continue to comply with Larissa's wishes?
"Why did you ask Carabella to finish it?" Jefferson's voice sounded sharp, making Larissa and Carabella stunned.