Chapter 2 He Suddenly Appeared

Aileen abruptly stopped crying. She smiled and held Derek's hand against her cheek. "We believe we can succeed based on our merits alone. All we need is a fair opportunity to compete with the other companies."

Her voice took on an overly sweet tone, and her teary eyes locked onto his, causing Derek to zone out momentarily.

He barely knew Aileen, having mostly heard of her through his grandmother, and their meetings were few and far between.

However, just then, Derek thought her eyes looked strikingly familiar, which nearly softened his resolve.

Before he could say anything, a knock interrupted the silence.

"Mr. Jefferson, your grandmother's birthday banquet is about to begin," announced a voice from outside.

"Alright," Derek replied, withdrew his hand sharply, and stood to grab his jacket.

As he prepared to leave, Aileen slid off the bed and quickly seized his hand. "Derek, the bidding…"

Before she could complete her sentence, Derek seized her chin.

He narrowed his eyes, lifting an eyebrow. "You think one night is sufficient to sway me? You are vastly overestimating yourself. Get dressed and come downstairs," he stated before turning to leave.

Aileen remained motionless, shocked that Derek was actually leaving after all that had transpired.

What a jerk!

She reclined on the bed, feeling pain in her waist and legs.

Recalling it was Gretchen's birthday celebration that evening, Aileen quickly prepared herself and hurried downstairs.

Upon exiting the elevator, she was met with a scornful voice.

"How dare you arrive late to Grandma's birthday celebration! Don't you have any manners?"

She looked up to see Rosalie standing at the entrance.

Rosalie stood proudly, her gaze full of scorn. "What are you looking at? We generously took you in. Shouldn't you have been here early to serve the guests? Do you actually think you belong to the Jefferson family now?"

Feeling humiliated, Aileen tightened her hands into fists.

Ever since Rosalie had been found, she believed that Aileen had taken her rightful place. She had tormented Aileen throughout their childhood, never offering her a shred of respect.

"Sorry, Rosalie," Aileen responded, her head bowed, her voice steady and submissive. "However, the banquet does not start until twelve, and I am not late."

"You're talking back?" Rosalie's expression turned even icier. "As a servant, shouldn't you have arrived earlier to prepare for the banquet?"

Her use of the term "servant" caused onlookers to pause.

"Isn't she the adopted daughter, whose biological parents are the Jefferson family's driver and servant?"

"Receiving favors from the Jeffersons, yet she fails to recognize her place. She remains a poor, lowly girl, unable to rid herself of that poverty stench."

Aileen heard these words, dripping with blatant hostility.

Facing Rosalie's conceited smirk, Aileen replied smoothly, "If you expect me, as the adopted daughter, to assume the duties of a servant, I am willing. Ultimately, the reputation of the Jefferson family is what's at risk here."

"How dare you!"

Rosalie had only intended to trouble Aileen. The sharpness of Aileen's comeback made her clench her teeth.

Having been pampered since childhood, and especially after her rescue from a kidnapping incident, the family treated her with even greater tenderness. Now, to be publicly shamed by someone she saw as merely a servant was intolerable to her.

She lifted her hand and struck Aileen sharply across the face.

Aileen failed to dodge, and her cheek quickly reddened and swelled. Her hands balled into fists.

Rosalie felt a surge of satisfaction seeing Aileen silently bear the pain. Her mood improved as she continued her taunts. "Do you see your error now? If you kneel and apologize, it might still be forgivable."

Whispers spread among the onlookers, and derisive glances were cast at Aileen.

The disturbance eventually drew Gretchen's attention.

"What is happening here?" Gretchen, encircled by attendees, emerged and scowled at the scene.

Before Aileen could explain, Rosalie interjected, "Grandma, I noticed Aileen was tardy, so I thought to remind her to be earlier, to avoid appearing disrespectful, but she retorted rudely."

Gretchen directed her gaze at Aileen. Overlooking her swollen cheek, she admonished, "Aileen, why must you be so thoughtless? Apologize to your sister; don't create a spectacle."

Aileen dropped her gaze, feeling a knot in her throat.

This was always the pattern—never an attempt to uncover the truth, always blaming her by default.

She had become accustomed to it.

Aileen shut her eyes, containing the bitterness within her, when a deep male voice suddenly intervened.

"Even if she warrants correction, it needn't be done before an audience."

Derek appeared from behind Gretchen, wearing a dark gray cashmere coat that added to his elegant demeanor. His deep blue tie was perfectly tied, enhancing his distinguished appearance.