Chapter 30

Ten minutes later, in the downstairs living room,Joyce reclined on the couch, her tone overly sweet as she bossed the housekeeper around.

"These fruits are exquisite. Pack up a box for me to take home. And the fruit platter-it's stunning. I need to know where you found it. I'll take that too. Oh, and see that little table over there? It's just perfect for late -night snacks. Fold it up for me,will you?"

While she issued her orders, Joyce drifted over to the large fish tank.

The housekeeper, visibly stressed, hurried over with a forced smile. "Ms. HHolt, these fish are a special gift from Mr. Phillips. I've heard each one is valued at over twenty thousand dollars."

Joyce's interest piqued, she glanced at Katrina, who understood her intentions immediately.

Leaning on Caiden's arm, Katrina remarked, "Just look at Daniela's lavish setup here. This tank alone must be worth a fortune. She really indulges herself, doesn't she?"

Caiden scoffed, "She doesn't know the first thing about living sensibly. Joyce, if you fancy it, we can have someone come and collect the entire tank later."

Joyce's smile widened, clearly pleased. She had to acknowledge,Daniela was not only wealthy but had an exceptional eye for style. Everythingin the house was curated with elegance. 2

Eyeing a nearby cabinet, Joyce's smile turned cunning."Dad, I'd like that cabinet as well. It would be perfect in our place." ①

The housekeeper's heart dropped. "This cabinet is another gift from Mr. Phillips. It's crafted from rare rosewood and was acquired at an auction. It's not really something we can just give away."

Katrina chuckled lightly, turning to Caiden. "Daniela may be thriving in her career, but it seems her staff doesn't quite understand. We're all family here.Why should there be such boundaries among us?"

Caiden's expression hardened as he faced the housekeeper, his voice dropping to an icy,authoritative timbre. "I'm her father.Whatever I desire,she should be willing to provide. Even if I demanded this entire building, she'd have no choice but to comply-let alone a mere cabinet."

The housekeeper bowed her head submissively. "Yes, sir."

Emboldened by Caiden's declaration, Joyce's demeanor swelled with conceit. She swept her hand across the room, pointing at the lavish furnishings as though compiling a wish list on an extravagant shopping spree.

Turning to Caiden with a gleeful grin, she said, "Dad,I'll arrange for movers to collect these items. And while we're at it, could you convince Daniela to refurbish the 18th to 20th floors for me? I want them styled just like this."

The housekeeper's eyes bulged, her mind reeling at the audacity. These people were beyond belief.

Her eyes darted towards the staircase, hoping Daniela would appear soon.

Anxiety tightened her chest. If Daniela didn't intervene quickly, they'd empty the entire house.

Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, a firm knock resounded through the room.

A flicker of hope sparked across the housekeeper's face, half-expecting it to be Lillian, whose gutsy demeanor might defuse the escalating situation.

However, the door swung open to reveal not Lillian,but a team of professional movers, clad in their work uniforms.

"Hello, did someone here request a moving service?"one mover inquired.

The housekeeper peeked outside, her heart sinking as she saw over ten robust men, poised as though ready to gut the house.

She waved her hands fretfully. "My employer is still resting. Could you perhaps wait a little longer? Just until-"

"Wait for what?" Before she could finish, Joyce barged past her and barked at the movers, "Come in!What are you waiting for? We've been expecting you."

The mover apologized promptly, "Sorry, ma'am. The traffic downtown was horrendous."

Joyce dismissed their excuse with an irritated wave of her hand. "Spare me the details. Just get in here." She led them into the living room, her gestures grand and commanding as she pointed out her selections."Take that. And this. Oh, and that one over there too.The fish tank-yes, the whole thing, fish included.Move it all!"

The movers examined the items carefully before providing a quote. "Since there are live animals involved,the fee will be slightly higher. If that's alright, we can begin immediately."

Joyce waved them off dismissively, her tone dripping with entitlement. "Go ahead and start. Bill the owner of the house for it later."

The movers, methodical and professional, began unpacking their equipment, ready to pack up the requested items.

The housekeeper, now frantic, stepped forward in a last-ditch effort to intervene. "No, no! This can't happen! Miss Harper still asleep. Please, at least wait until she wakes up so you can ask her first. If she consents, then fine, take what you like. But I'm just the housekeeper-I don't have the authority to let this happen. If she comes downstairs to find her house stripped bare,what explanation am I supposed to give?Please,I beg you!"

Caiden claimed to be Daniela's father,Katrina asserted herself as the stepmother, and Joyce proclaimed as the stepsister.

Confused by the family dynamics, the housekeeper felt utterly helpless.

"What did you just say?" Joyce snapped, her tone sharp and cutting as her glare bore into the housekeeper. "I said, move these things. Didn't you hear me?"

The housekeeper, though visibly trembling, planted herself in front of the fish tank, resolutely blocking their path.

Joyce's frustration reached its boiling point.Without a second thought, she raised her hand and struck the housekeeper hard across the face.

The housekeeper, a woman in her fifties, stumbled under the force of the slap. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she stood her ground, too terrified to speak.

Joyce seized her arm roughly, shoving her aside with a dismissive sneer. Turning back to the movers, she barked, "Move it, now!"