Chapter 3

An hour later, a man delivered the contract.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored, high-end black suit, and his face bore a slight resemblance to Tiffany's, but a hundred times colder.

"Seb, why did you come yourself?"

Tiffany's usual sharp edges softened the moment she saw him, and she clung to him docilely.

"Dad wasn't comfortable."

His gaze swept over my parents, finally settling on me.

He was Tiffany's brother, Sebastian Sterling.

The true heir to the Sterling Group.

And my brother Ryan's future boss, the one he'd have to grovel to.

"Sign it, or get out."

He tossed a file envelope directly at me.

"Take a look. If there's no problem, sign it."

Service term: For life.

Working hours: 8 hours.

Salary: City's minimum wage, $1800.

Leaking any information about the Sterling family: $100 million compensation.

Someone, probably thinking I was as useless as Ryan, had even added a handwritten, domineering clause at the very bottom:

Party B voluntarily waives all labor rights granted by law.

This wasn't a contract; it was a modern-day bond of servitude!

My mom peered over my shoulder, then abruptly shoved me.

"Avery, sign it quickly! Mr. Sterling personally delivered the contract – that's a huge deal! Don't be ungrateful!"

My dad was just as anxious:

"Once you sign, you'll be part of the Sterling family, no worries about food or clothes. What a great opportunity!"

I looked up at Sebastian.

He leaned against the wall, hands in his trouser pockets, his eyes filled with undisguised urgency and impatience.

"Seb, look at her, she's so poor and slow, she's clearly scared to sign."

"Ms. Sterling,"

I interrupted her.

"I can sign the contract."

I held up the contract, pointing to the very last clause.

"However, there's a small issue here."

Sebastian's brow furrowed.

"'Party B voluntarily waives all labor rights granted by law.'"

"As a professional, Mr. Miller should know that this clause itself is illegal and therefore invalid."

"I suggest removing it to avoid unnecessary legal disputes in the future, which could bring negative publicity and ridicule to the Sterling family."

Tiffany's eyes widened, completely blindsided by my move.

Sebastian straightened up, finally looking at me properly.

"You know the law?"

"A little."

I said, feigning humility,

"After all, I'm an Oxford graduate. Can't let my alma mater down."

Sebastian stared at me for a full ten seconds.

Suddenly, he pulled a Montblanc pen from his inner jacket pocket and crossed out the supplementary clause.

"There. It's done."

He handed me the pen and the contract.

Tiffany's face was as dark as a thundercloud.

I took the pen and decisively signed "Avery Collins."

I handed the contract back to Sebastian.

"Mr. Sterling, pleasant working with you."

He took the contract, gave me a deep, scrutinizing look, and turned to leave.

Tiffany stamped her foot, then hurried after him.

The moment the door closed, my mom threw her arms around me, trembling with excitement.

"This is wonderful! Avery! Our good days are coming!"