Chapter 19
School supplies, while useless to the Mercer family, were things Mara might prevent her from taking just to spite her. And with Adrian’s temper, he might get angry and not let her take anything at all.
After getting organized, Mira took out her new laptop and phone and began transferring all the files and data from her old devices to the new ones. The internet era had just begun, and smartphones were still new, lacking the full range of features they would have in the future. Most of the data had to be saved manually.
As she was busy, she heard a knock on the door. Mira quickly hid the new phone and laptop.
She opened the door to find Lacey holding a tray of food.
“Mira, can you please stop being so difficult? We’re all family.” She wanted to say more, but seeing the dismissive look on Mira’s face, she swallowed her words. “Eat something and get some rest,” she said before leaving.
Mira glanced at the food. It was likely leftovers from dinner. There was a bowl of vegetable soup, two beef pastries, and a container with a few side dishes. It was still warm, but Mira had already eaten and had no appetite.
She put the lids back on the containers and went back to her work.
Before long, there was another knock on the door.
Mira quickly put away her new devices again.
“Rachel p>
Rachel was also holding a container. She brought a finger to her lips, signaling for Mira to be quiet.
“Mrs. Mercer just asked me to make some chicken soup for Miss Mara, so I made an extra bowl for you p>
“Thank you, Rachel p>
Mira took the bowl and began to drink. The fat had been skimmed from the top of the chicken soup, leaving a rich, fragrant broth. The meat was so tender it melted in her mouth. She finished it quickly. The warm broth was deeply soothing, finally easing the tension in her chest. It turned out there was still someone who cared for her.
“Rachel, don’t go to so much trouble for me in the future. Don’t worry, I’m grown up now. I won’t let myself go hungry p>
“Your mother Rachel trailed off, her sentence ending in a sigh. As a servant, it wasn’t her place to comment on her employers. But Mira understood what she meant.
Rachel had raised Mira when she was a child, and their bond was special. As Mira grew older, Rachet with her excellent cooking skills, became the family’s cook. Whenever she made something delicious, she would always save an extra portion for Mira. In the past, the whole family doted on Mira, so no one ever said anything. But ever since that conniving gift had arrived it was as if everyone’s hearts had been swayed, completely favoring the other daughter. Now that Mira was in a difficult position, Rachel had to be discreet if she wanted to give the child anything special.
After Rachel left, Mira continued with her work. It took another two hours to transfer
all the data from her phone and computer. By the time she was done, it was almost eleven o’clock. Time for bed.
She didn’t want to stay up late. Without anyone supervising her, she had to be even more disciplined. From now on, her days could be packed, but she had to ensure she got enough sleep at night.
The next morning, before Adrian and the others were awake, Mira came downstairs with the backpack she had packed the night before. The housekeepers had already started. cleaning, and the clatter of pots and pans could be heard from the
kitchen.
Rachel, who was preparing breakfast, heard footsteps and glanced out.
“Miss Mira, why are you up so early p>
“I have something to do, Rachel p>
“The pastries are ready, and the oatmeal is almost done. Have something to eat
before you go p>
Mira nodded. “Alright, then p>
Seeing Mira agree to eat, Rachel’s
face lit up. She quickly got some pastries. The oatmeal was still cooking, so she grabbed a bowl of the premium consommé she had warmed up nearby and placed with the pastries in front of Mira. “Hurry and eat. Then you can go p>
On second thought, she added a large scallop, which had been prepared for Adrian,
to Mira’s bowl.
Mira picked up a pastry and had just taken a couple of bites when she heard
another cook exclaim from the kitchen.