I Took the Fortune, She Took the Slums

I noticed that all the things in my bedroom—photos from when I was growing up, trophies, and some trinkets I had made myself—were completely gone. They were replaced by furniture and decor of an entirely unfamiliar style.

It was then that a maid walked over carrying a basin of water, her expression instantly becoming timid when she saw me. "L-Liam said you'll be staying in the guest room around the corner from now on, Ms. Rosalyn. Your former bedroom will be redecorated for Ms. Phoebe…"

She quickly lowered her head after saying that, not daring to look at me again.

I didn't say anything but simply stood at the doorway, taking in the room that had already been cleared out.

Liam appeared at the end of the hallway out of nowhere, wearing his usual standard smile. He, however, was looking at me with a completely detached gaze. "Are you settling in alright, Ms. Rosalyn?"

He approached at a leisurely pace, his movements as graceful as ever; he was someone who never lost his cool, regardless of the circumstances. "You see, this guest room is the best in the house and has a wonderful view. You ought to find it to your liking, Ms. Rosalyn."

I ignored him, turned around, and walked into the unfamiliar guest room. I gently pulled the door shut behind me and surveyed the space—stark white walls and crisp, new bedding, completely devoid of any lived-in warmth.

I had been to this place before in my past life. I had just left my impoverished biological parents, and since Mom and Dad still considered me their daughter, they brought me back to live with them for a while.

They were entirely consumed by the excitement of finding Phoebe Sherwood, their biological daughter, which made things incredibly awkward for me at the time.

Liam, an old-timer who had worked for the Sherwood family for 30 years, was bound to be fiercely loyal to Phoebe.

He viewed me as a thief who had usurped someone else's place, using all kinds of methods to ostracize and humiliate me. He even framed me, causing me to lose the very last shred of affection between me, Mom, and Dad.

I was determined not to make the same mistake again, now that I was given a second chance at life.

I went downstairs for breakfast early the next morning, and I was the only one at the dining table.

It was then that the maid served me a bowl of oatmeal with a plate of dried cranberries. She kept her head lowered, not daring to meet my gaze. "Here's everything the staff from the kitchen prepared today."

I picked up the spoon and ate it calmly. I honestly didn't think having something light for a change was a bad thing.

Just then, Mom came downstairs in an elegant nightgown. Her brows furrowed the instant she noticed my breakfast. She then turned to question the maid nearby, asking, "What's the meaning of this?"

"It's because the staff from the kitchen only prepared these this morning—"

"That's ridiculous!" Mom sharply cut her off. "Where is Doreen?"

"D-Doreen said she was feeling under the weather and took the day off."

Hearing the maid's blatant lie, Mom's anger instantly flared. "You're saying she's feeling under the weather? She's clearly grown overly bold! Get these out of here, and bring up a proper breakfast!"

In that instant, the maid shuddered with fright before stealing a glance at Liam, who was standing nearby.

Liam walked over with his customary air of deference. "You shouldn't upset yourself over such a matter, Mrs. Sherwood. Doreen is truly unwell, and since the young staff in the kitchen don't know how to prepare the usual fare, I instructed them to just whip up whatever they could for now."

He assumed a standard apologetic expression as he turned to bow deeply to me. "It was an oversight on my part, Ms. Rosalyn. I-I forgot that you're used to fine dining and probably can't stomach such a simple meal. I'm sure Ms. Phoebe wouldn't be so picky with her food."

I kept hearing him bring up Phoebe; in my past life, hearing this would have naturally upset me.

Mom was shaking with rage. "Do you honestly think I won't fire you right now, Liam?"

"I've worked for the Sherwood family for 30 years, Mrs. Sherwood. I may not have done anything remarkable, but I've always worked hard. Do you really intend to dismiss me for the sake of an outsider, Mrs. Sherwood?" Liam squared his shoulders, his gaze completely devoid of emotion.

Mom snapped, "Why, you!"

I slowly set my spoon on the dining table just as the tension reached its peak. "Mom…"