The Housekeeper Tried to Steal My Family

First, my dad made sure I hadn't been burned. Then he pulled me to my feet and turned to Jacob, his expression ice-cold.

"You can't even handle something this simple; there's no reason for you to continue working in my house. You're an adult now—you can be independent."

Jacob looked at me with heartbreak written all over his face. My mom, unable to stand it, immediately began to plead on his behalf.

"Honey, you can't be so hard on Jacob. Clearly, this is Jake's fault…"

"I decide whether Jake is in the right or wrong!" My dad cut her off sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

My mom went silent immediately. After all, if she really angered my dad, there'd be no more life of luxury for her.

Then my sister chimed in, trying to defend him.

"Dad, Jacob's been with us so long… how can you just kick him out?"

"Did we do wrong by taking in an orphan? Or by paying him a salary and funding his education?" My dad countered, his commanding presence suddenly filling the room.

I silently gave him a mental thumbs-up.

My sister stammered for a while, unable to come up with a reply.

Chloe, however, was sharper. She didn't confront my dad directly. Instead, she turned her attack on me.

"Jack, when someone makes a mistake, they have to own up to it. I don't want my future husband to be so clueless."

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm not marrying you, so why should I care?"

Chloe was momentarily speechless, and I couldn't help but notice her parents' expressions darken in shock.

That meal ended in a tense, awkward silence. My dad drove me to another hotel.

"Come on. I want you to meet someone important."

Having been given a second chance at life, my dad's first priority was to strengthen me—hence my three-plus months of interning out of town.

When we entered the private room, my dad's longtime friend, Benji Harmon, and his family were waiting. They had been partners with our company and had helped us significantly in my previous life.

"Ah! Finally, you're here!" Benji greeted me with a beaming smile. "Jack, you're getting more handsome every day! Right, sweetie?"

He motioned for me to sit next to Carmen Harmon, giving her a knowing glance.

The lively young woman raised an eyebrow and smiled at me.

After the meal, my dad and Benji playfully insisted that I escort Carmen home.

I glanced helplessly at my dad, who only smiled and waved me off.

Carmen didn't object, so I politely opened the passenger door for her.

I had been childhood playmates with Carmen, but she went abroad to study. Then I met Chloe, and for several years we had lost contact.

The car ride was silent for a while, until Carmen finally broke the awkwardness. "I heard you're going to join your father's company?"

I glanced at her as we waited at a red light. The neon lights outside cast a glow across her profile, making her look even more stunning.

"Yes. That's right," I nodded.

"Then I look forward to working with you." She extended her hand.

I froze for a second. "What do you mean?" But instinctively, I took it.

"Who knows? We might end up on the same project."

Carmen blinked and let a mysterious, teasing smile curve her lips.