Chapter 2

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Ryan darted to open the door:

"It must be Tiffany!"

The door swung open, and a girl in a Chanel suit, with perfectly applied makeup, walked in.

She affectionately linked her arm through Ryan's, but her eyes scanned me up and down.

She was Tiffany Sterling.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Collins."

Her sickly sweet voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"And this must be Avery? Ryan told me you agreed to come live with us?"

"Agreed?"

Tiffany shot a glance at Ryan.

Ryan looked to my mom.

My mom quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Oh, Tiffany, don't misunderstand. Avery already agreed just now."

"She's just a little shy, she must have said something wrong when she saw you."

"Shy?"

Tiffany eyed my faded T-shirt and jeans, letting out a dismissive scoff.

"Looks like poor taste to me!"

"Ryan, your sister doesn't look too bright. Don't let her embarrass me."

My mom and dad's faces went through a kaleidoscope of emotions, but they didn't dare utter a single word. Ryan, flushed red, tugged at my sleeve:

"Sis, apologize to Tiffany..."

I ignored him, pulling my hand free from Tiffany's grip, and smiled at her beautiful face:

"Ms. Sterling is right."

Everyone froze.

I continued:

"Precisely because my image is unimpressive and I appear unintelligent, a formal employment contract is even more necessary to clearly define responsibilities and rights."

"This is to avoid unnecessary losses to your esteemed company due to my personal shortcomings."

"It's also to better serve you and Ryan, ensuring the employer's interests are protected."

Tiffany's smile stiffened on her face.

"Employment contract?"

Her voice rose sharply: "Avery Collins, are you crazy from being poor? We're offering you a spot, you should be grateful!"

"No."

I met her gaze directly:

"This is a society governed by law. Professional conduct requires professional procedures to ensure it."

"Since this is a special position, a 'live-in assistant,' it's even more important to specify job duties, working hours, salary, benefits, especially worker's compensation standards, and personal rights protection clauses."

"After all, this job seems to carry no small amount of risk."

You could have heard a pin drop in the living room.

Tiffany scoffed, impatiently dialing a number:

"Hello, Mr. Miller from Legal? Draft an employment contract for a 'private assistant' for me."

"Yes, make it as harsh as possible. Salary... just the city's minimum wage."

"Also, add a clause: service term, for life."

She hung up and leaned close to me.

"Avery Collins, you wanted to play this game. Now, do you dare to sign?"

I met Tiffany's challenging gaze, a subtle smirk playing on my lips, and gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"Sure. When do I sign?"