Shame immediately engulfed Curtis. All eyes were on him and that broken coffee mug on the floor."I knew it!" exclaimed the saleswoman."Have you completely lost your mind?""You're just a charlatan who entered this store to take advantage of good people like us.""You're a crazy piece of shit.""Security will kick you out of here."People in the store murmured and pointed at Curtis."There's no security anymore; how could a thief enter a store like this?""What a horror; some people have no shame."Those were some of the things other customers murmured as they witnessed the disdainful show against Curtis."He should give up once and for all and spare himself this kind of shame," suggested the saleswoman.Mr. Zair Fuller hadn't left the store and immediately noticed the commotion at the center of the store."What's happening?" he asked the manager, returning."Don't worry, everything is under control," he said."Is there a problem with that poor boy?""No, Mr. Fuller. You can leave qu
Curtis returned to Joseph's car feeling like a true winner after humiliating the sellers at that store, who, by the way, now worked for the Stanton empire.Walking slightly sore from his wounds that hadn't fully healed, Curtis's gigantic smile made it all worthwhile.He gently tapped the car window in Joseph's vehicle."Finished?" asked Baxter after rolling down the window."Norton," exclaimed Joseph in awe, "you look great."Curtis began to showcase his new look, stylishly donning the suit for them to get a better view."And who is she?" Joseph asked."She's Amber," said Curtis."Amber?" questioned Baxter."She used to work as a saleswoman in the store, but I thought she could be a great help at the mansion."Curtis took Amber by the shoulders, presenting her as if she were a pet he had just adopted."If you think it's a good idea," Joseph sighed, "get her in the car."Baxter opened the door and let the two in."Wow," exclaimed Amber as she got in."You've never ridden in such a luxu
Amber despised the maid outfit she had to wear, but she had to do it. Joseph offered her a salary impossible to refuse.She wore a light green dress and a small white apron, feeling ridiculously out of place. Yet, it would be worth it for that generous paycheck every fifteen days.Having just learned to make coffee from a five-minute YouTube tutorial, she carefully balanced the tray, thankful for the internet in the Stanton mansion kitchen.As she was about to deliver the coffee, Agatha unexpectedly appeared behind her."Smells delightful."Agatha approached swiftly, aiming to be intimidating. Her sole intention was to discomfort Amber."I made coffee, ma'am."Amber's voice was timid, low, and shaky."Coffee..."Agatha stared at Amber and then at the tray in her hands."Baxter told me Mr. Joseph is a coffee enthusiast, and I wanted to surprise him," Amber explained."Hmm... I see."An awkward silence filled the kitchen as Agatha lifted the teapot's lid to inspect the contents."Want t
Amber began to traverse the entire mansion with that tray in her hands, intending to bring a cup of coffee to all family members.*Knock, knock* sounded at Joseph's office door."Come in," said Joseph kindly."The coffee, sir.""Great..." Joseph smiled with happiness, "it's been a long time since I received direct service to the office.""In that case, you better get used to it again because I'll be here every day bringing your coffee," said the adorable Amber as she served."Do you know where Mr. Carson is?" Amber asked."At this hour, he should be in his room; he always calls his mother early to check on her," explained Joseph."Then it will be room service."Amber smiled cordially and left the office.In Carson's room, a call with Mrs. Beth, the mother of the Stanton brothers and Joseph's ex-wife, was taking place."I swear, Mom, Dad bought an extremely expensive suit for that deadbeat, and to top it off, he brought another wretch to this mansion."Carson's mother only listened thr
That night, Curtis struggled to sleep, much like every previous night since he arrived at the mansion. His dreams were haunted by the mistreatment and humiliations inflicted by the Stanton brothers, along with the unjust time he spent in prison.Carson, Campbell, and Agatha's voices tormented him, causing him to toss and turn in bed. Curtis clenched his sheet tightly, eyes shut, and his sweat soaked the bed that once belonged to Carson."You're a starving loser.""You're nothing, you'll never amount to anything.""You disgust me."These were some of the comments Curtis heard in his dream, or rather, his nightmare. In it, he saw himself lying on the floor, unable to get up, while the Stanton brothers circled him, reveling in their verbal assaults.Curtis witnessed Spider's figure slowly pacing behind them, whispering the word 'bitch' with a ghostly voice in the wind, reminding him of the times Spider said he would always be the bitch of millionaires.Curtis woke up screaming, drenched
The Stanton brothers enjoyed a lavish breakfast with their father in the mansion's main hall, while Amber and Curtis stood in one corner, watching them eat, ready to fulfill any needs they might have."Salt," Carson said, pushing his plate forward.Curtis stepped forward to attend to Carson's request, but Carson cleared his throat, indicating with a glance that he wanted Amber to serve him.Amber stopped Curtis with her hand and sighed resignedly. "Your salt, sir," she said, beginning to sprinkle Carson's food.Carson, in turn, glanced at Amber discreetly, recalling their encounter in his room.Carson's gaze made Amber very uncomfortable and nervous, but she didn't want Curtis or anyone else to notice what was happening.Carson once again sensed that scent, that fragrance they derogatorily referred to as 'cheap perfume.' It would be a disappointment for his brothers if they knew that this aroma had managed to captivate him in an alarming way."That idiot," Curtis whispered to Amber wh
"They are Joseph's new 'protégés'?" Beth asked, approaching her children as she looked at Curtis and Amber without any hint of discretion or prudence."Those are the indigents my dad rescued from the streets," Agatha replied, looking at them disdainfully."I think I'll have some work doing a deep cleaning in this mansion," Beth continued to observe them, making it clear she was talking about them from a distance, "we have a quite severe infestation.""Good luck, Mom," exclaimed Carson, "Dad is completely determined with that pair.""That's about to change."Beth turned stylishly, and with a simple snap of her fingers, made Alfred start following her, as if he were completely trained like a pet.The glamorous Mrs. Aldress walked with all that exaggerated and feigned swaying that characterized her, followed by her loyal servant and her three children.They stopped right in front of Joseph Stanton, her ex-husband and father of her three children."Joseph."Beth looked haughty and pretent
"The food was fabulous," said Beth, tossing a bone onto the dirty dishes stacked on the table.She put her feet on the table, seeking a comfortable position to rest with her hands behind her neck."I love knowing that these useless ones will be in charge of washing all these dishes.""Don't say that in front of Dad," Agatha said."Yes, he would wash them with his own hands just to avoid those starving ones doing it," Campbell asserted."Well, whatever," Beth returned to her normal posture, "I'm going to bed; tomorrow will be a great day."Beth was referring to Agatha's birthday."I'll accompany you to your room, Mom," Carson offered very kindly."No!" Beth expressed immediately.Carson and his brothers looked at each other a bit puzzled by their mother's reaction.Beth also noticed her exaggerated response and quickly had to improvise to disguise it."It's not necessary... the invalid is your father; my legs work perfectly, and I can get to my room without any help.""Alright, Mom."C