AVAEventually, the time came to serve the cocktails. I moved through the crowd, offering drinks to the guests, all the while feeling the piercing stares and hearing the whispered judgments."Sweet girl, what's your name again?" an elderly lady, who seemed to be in her early fifties, asked as I handed her a glass of cocktail."Ava, ma'am," I replied with a curt nod."Aren't you the new daughter-in-law of the family?" She cupped my chin, a doting look on her features.I nodded once more, a warm smile spreading across my face. "I am, ma'am," I politely replied.At once, a sorry look washed over her face. "Then why are you doing this? Serving the guests like a waiter? This isn't befitting of someone of your status as the daughter-in-law of this family," the concern in her voice was evident.Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. What could I tell her? That Uncle John literally forced me into serving like a waiter because it was the only thing I could do that was fitting for my status?

AVAAfter the unexpected news from Uncle John, I felt a surge of hope and determination. Finally, I had a chance to prove myself and make a difference. The idea of managing part of the family’s income was both exhilarating and daunting. It felt like a step towards being acknowledged, even if it was a small one. But I was ready to take on the challenge.That evening, I decided to familiarize myself with the financial documents and reports Uncle John had mentioned. I spent hours in the small office room allocated to me, poring over spreadsheets and account statements. The figures and terminologies were overwhelming at first, but I was determined to understand everything.As the clock ticked closer to midnight, I decided to take a break. I stepped out of the office, intending to grab a glass of water from the kitchen. The mansion was eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by a serene stillness. As I walked down the corridor, I noticed a faint light coming from one of the room