Alina blinked in surprise.

Since childhood, people had often said she bore a resemblance to Jessica's mother, and she had believed it herself.

Only later did she discover that Kristy was related to Lynda Hayes, which made the resemblance far less surprising.

With a sneer, Kenzie Gilbert spoke again, her voice dripping with contempt. "Compare her to Lynda? Don't make me laugh."

Turning her attention to Alina, she spoke in a mocking tone. "Alina, you shameless woman. Stealing Jessica's belongings wasn't enough for you? Now you're going after her marriage, too. You're disgusting."

Before anyone could react, a sharp slap echoed through the room.

Kenzie sat there, stunned, taking a few seconds to process what had just happened. When it sank in, she glared at Alina in disbelief. "Alina, you worthless thing, how dare you hit me?"

As one of Jessica's close friends, Kenzie frequently visited the Hayes family's residence.

Because Jessica often spoke poorly of Alina, Kenzie had long held a deep dislike for her.

Now that she had been struck by someone she looked down on, anger surged through her. She raised her hand, ready to retaliate.

Alina's voice cut through sharply. "Kenzie, I'm your uncle's wife now."

Kenzie froze mid-motion. That was undeniable. Kellan was her uncle.

Watching her daughter falter, Kenzie's mother looked at Alina with open disdain and spoke coldly. "Alina, you're nothing more than a servant's daughter. Even if you forced your way into marrying Kellan, he'll never truly accept you."

As she snapped out of it, Kenzie's temper flared again. "Exactly! Don't think your status can suppress me, you shameless woman. I'll make you pay!"

With that, she lifted her hand once more.

Before it could land, her wrist was seized firmly.

Looking up, Kenzie met a pair of icy eyes and immediately stiffened. Her voice softened. "Uncle Kellan."

A thought struck her, and excitement returned. "Uncle Kellan, you came at the right time! This woman is nothing but a servant's daughter from the Hayes family. She even dares to dream of marrying you. She's completely shameless. You can't let her stay!"

After saying that, Kenzie shot Alina a smug look. In her mind, Kellan's cold nature meant Alina was finished.

Kellan looked at Alina's calm face, then abruptly flung Kenzie's hand aside.

His voice turned low as he addressed Alina. "You've got quite the courage to strike a Gilbert."

Alina met his gaze with a smile. "Wasn't it you who gave me that confidence, Mr. Gilbert?"

A laugh left Kellan.

Rubbing her aching wrist, Kenzie stared at Alina with resentment, waiting for her downfall.

Instead, Kellan placed a hand on Alina's shoulder, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're right. As my wife, you have every right to discipline my niece."

The smiles on Kenzie's and her mother's faces stiffened instantly. Was Kellan really planning to marry Alina, a mere servant's daughter? Had he lost his mind?

Pamela, however, reacted without hesitation. Turning to Alina with a warm smile, she spoke. "You're Alina, right? My dear, from today on, you're part of this family. Here, take this as a welcome gift."

As she spoke, Pamela removed the diamond bracelet from her wrist, a treasured family heirloom she had worn for years, and gently slipped it onto Alina's hand.

Across the room, Kenzie's mother clenched her fist so tightly her nails dug into her skin.

She had been married into the Gilbert family for years and had always held her position as the lady of the house, yet Pamela had never offered her that bracelet. Now, the moment Alina appeared, it was handed over without hesitation. The favoritism couldn't have been more obvious.

Alina was caught off guard and instinctively wanted to decline. After all, her marriage with Kellan was nothing more than an arrangement. The diamonds glittered under the light, clearly worth a fortune, far beyond something she felt comfortable accepting.

Before she could speak, Kellan's calm voice cut in, "Since my mother gave it to you, accept it."

Alina realized she had no reason left to say no, so she took it. "Thank you, Pamela."

Pamela's smile deepened as she looked at Alina, growing more pleased with each passing second.

Kenzie felt as if anger might burst out of her at any second.

A servant's daughter had actually married her uncle, and to her, that was the worst disgrace imaginable. She could already picture her friends laughing behind her back.

Taking Alina's hand, Pamela began introducing her to the rest of the Gilbert family.

Although their expressions hinted at disdain for Alina's background, they still offered her gifts out of courtesy.

Kenzie's mother hid a calculating gleam behind her smile as she spoke. "Since it's the first day Alina joins our family, the kitchen has prepared a grand meal. Shall we head in and enjoy it?"

At those words, Kenzie's eyes brightened once more. The dinner tonight featured exquisite dishes that demanded perfect etiquette, making it the ideal chance to test someone's refinement. A servant's daughter like Alina would surely embarrass herself. Once that happened, would Kellan and Pamela still favor her?

With that thought in mind, Kenzie walked toward the dining room, unable to hide her excitement.

The table was already filled with luxurious dishes, and Kenzie wasted no time picking up a lobster, placing it onto Alina's plate.

At that moment, every gaze in the room turned toward her.

Alina barely spared the lobster a glance before moving with practiced ease. She held it steady with one hand and used her fork to lift the tail meat cleanly. Then, with a small spoon, she carefully gathered the tender flesh from the head and claws.

Each movement flowed naturally, precise and controlled, as if it were second nature. The elegance of her actions made her stand out, even among the Gilberts.

Kenzie's eyes widened, and a surge of jealousy twisted inside her.

With a sharp edge to her voice, she said, "Well, Alina, seems like you've been secretly copying Jessica just to get your table manners right."

Before her words could linger, Alina tapped the back of Kenzie's hand lightly.

Alina's gaze turned cold. "Mind your tone. Looks like I'll have to teach you some manners, so you don't embarrass yourself in public."

Rage nearly overwhelmed Kenzie. Alina really thought she could act like the lady of the house now?

She shot Pamela a desperate look, hoping for support, but Pamela only smiled. "I didn't expect Alina to carry herself so well. Kenzie, she's right. You should learn from her."

Left without a comeback, Kenzie felt her anger rise to the point of dizziness.

The long, tense meal finally ended. The moment she found Alina alone, Kenzie rushed over and blocked her path.

"Alina, you..." The insult she wanted to say died on her lips when she saw Alina's raised hand. Swallowing it back, she changed her words. "How can you be so shameless? You threw away your long-term boyfriend just to marry into a wealthy family. You're ruthless."

Alina found it almost amusing. "Kenzie, what makes you so sure I was the one who chose to switch places?"

With complete confidence, Kenzie spoke. "Jessica is kind. She would never do something like that. I talked to her last night, and she told me everything. You were the one desperate to cling to our family. You even forced your way into marrying Uncle Kellan, knowing he's disfigured and can't have children. You're incredibly manipulative."

A cold sneer appeared on Alina's lips. Jessica again. It seemed she had been spreading rumors behind her back.

"Then answer me this," Alina responded, her voice turning icy. "With your uncle's condition, do you really think Jessica would've agreed to marry him willingly?"

Kenzie fell silent. Deep down, she knew that if she were in Jessica's place, she wouldn't have agreed either.

Even though the logic didn't sit right, she refused to admit it. "Jessica is kind. She would never look down on Uncle Kellan."

Alina lost interest in continuing the argument. Dealing with someone so clueless wasn't worth her time.

It baffled her that someone as sharp as Kellan could have such a foolish niece.

Without another word, Alina returned to her room upstairs.

Kellan wasn't there, which gave her a moment of peace. She opened her laptop to work, but a thought from earlier surfaced, and she decided to make a call.

On the other end, a respectful voice answered. "How may I assist you?"

Alina spoke directly. "Is there someone named Jessica Hayes working in our lab?"

"Jessica Hayes? I don't recognize that name. Give me a moment, I'll look into it." After a short pause, the subordinate came back on the line. "I found her. She joined about six months ago and is currently working as a project assistant."

It was a low-level role, the kind most people wouldn't even notice.

Given her position as lab director, Alina had no reason to pay attention to someone like that.

With a quiet acknowledgment, Alina ended the call.

At that moment, a new message from Jessica appeared on her phone.

It read, "OMG, Alan is being so good to me! He even bought me an incredibly expensive wedding gift!"

A photo followed—Vick's custom-designed necklace, worth over five million dollars.

Alina stared at the screen without any visible reaction.

She couldn't help recalling that, during their entire relationship, the priciest thing Alan had ever given her was a dress worth five hundred dollars.

Moments later, another image came through, this time showing Jessica and Alan in an intimate pose.

Along with it came another message. "Alan treats me like a princess. I don't even know how to handle it. By the way, have you met that scarred man? Hope he didn't scare you too much."

Alina didn't bother replying. Instead, she captured screenshots of the entire conversation and saved them. Then she set her phone aside and returned to her work.

She had been occupied with her work until evening fell. After taking a shower that night, she wrapped a towel around herself and began drying her hair.

The sound of the hairdryer masked the faint sound of the door opening.

When Kellan stepped inside, his gaze immediately landed on her back as she stood there, drying her hair. Her long legs were fully visible, their lines smooth and graceful.

The graceful line of her neck was especially eye-catching.

Kellan instantly felt a strong reaction stir within him.

Without hesitation, he walked toward her.

"Ah!" Alina screamed when arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind.

She turned quickly, only to meet Kellan's face. Before she could react, his lips pressed firmly against hers.

Alina's eyes snapped wide with disbelief.

Her immediate reaction was to shove Kellan away, but the towel wrapped around her body was barely secure, so she had no choice but to grip it tightly with one hand instead.

Kellan's kiss gave Alina no room to think, and the strength in it left her body unsteady.

Only after what felt like far too long did Kellan finally pull back, leaving a thin thread between them as the distance slowly widened.

Heat rushed to her face, and her cheeks flushed a soft pink. Even so, the look in her eyes turned sharp with anger. "Kellan!"

"There's someone outside," Kellan muttered as he leaned closer to her ear. His breath brushed lightly against her skin, and the warmth made her shiver without meaning to.

A quiet bite pressed into Alina's lower lip. She couldn't help but wonder why everyone in this household seemed so eager to listen in on others.

There was something about her expression that caught his attention, as it held both embarrassment and irritation at the same time. He found it unexpectedly endearing.

Kellan asked, "Did anyone trouble you after I left earlier?"

A quiet shake of her head was all Alina offered in response.

As another thought crossed her mind, she spoke up again. "Tomorrow, I need to visit my mother. I will go on my own."

Rather than argue, Kellan let out a faint grunt, and his tone made it clear that joining her had never crossed his mind.

With a sharp look thrown his way, Alina turned aside and began changing her clothes.

Kellan lifted a hand to rub the bridge of his nose. To him, she felt unlike anyone he had ever dealt with before.

When night came, the arrangement remained the same, and Alina took the bed once again.

Morning arrived quietly, but the ringing of her phone pulled her out of sleep.

"Auralina, the collector's item you created has finally been sold! It went for $30 million!" Excitement spilled through the caller's voice.

At that news, Alina lifted a brow in surprise. The design carried a price that few could afford, and it had sat untouched for an entire year after she completed it. Because of that, she never imagined it would find a buyer now.

Curiosity slipped into her voice as she asked, "Do you know who bought it?"

"The buyer chose to stay unnamed. Also, when can we look forward to your next design?" The question carried clear excitement.

Still half-asleep, Alina let out a gentle yawn before answering, "I'll work on something when I find the time."

Once the call ended, she pushed herself out of bed and noticed several neatly arranged gift boxes resting on the sofa.

It didn't take long for her to figure out that Kellan must have prepared them for her visit to her mother.

She lifted the lid of one box and discovered a dress from a label she immediately recognized.

What lay inside turned out to be a custom-made gown from Lumisou, and it was a rare haute couture piece that wasn't easy to obtain.

Another box revealed a finely crafted jewelry set from Vick, and the moment Alina's eyes landed on it, shock took hold of her. Only then did it dawn on her that Kellan was the one who had purchased the design.

Something unfamiliar stirred quietly in her chest.

Never before had anyone gone out of their way to prepare such lavish clothing and accessories for her.

After slipping into the gown and fastening the jewelry in place, Alina made her way toward the villa entrance, where the driver had already arrived and stood waiting beside the car.

The driver stepped forward and opened the door, his tone polite. "I'll take you there, ma'am."

A small nod came from Alina before she entered the car.

Across town, the Hayes family's residence had already come alive with movement and noise.

Festive decorations still covered every corner of the house, and the atmosphere had not yet settled after the celebration. Lynda and Edmond stood near the entrance, clearly waiting for their daughter and son-in-law.

Not far from them, Kristy remained at their side while she kept her gaze fixed ahead, and anticipation showed plainly on her face.

The moment a sleek Porsche came into view and stopped nearby, smiles spread across all three of them, and they quickly stepped forward to welcome the arrival.

From inside the vehicle, Alan and Jessica stepped out together.

As Edmond watched his son-in-law, a sense of satisfaction settled in his chest. His eyes lingered on the polished car, and curiosity got the better of him. "I heard this Porsche model was discontinued about five years ago. Many people have tried to get one and failed."

A relaxed smile settled on Alan's face as he answered, "I placed my order at the right time, so I was able to secure one."

Even though his tone sounded easygoing, the fact that he had obtained such a car spoke volumes about his influence and standing.

The Hopkins family held more sway in the city than the Hayes family.

Because of that, Edmond's approval of Alan grew even stronger.

The young man had everything. He carried himself well, he had the looks, and he showed clear capability. Above all, he was a perfectly healthy and reliable man.

Not long after, the arrival of another vehicle drew their attention, and a Rolls-Royce came to a stop nearby. The moment it appeared, it made the Porsche beside it seem far less impressive.

Anyone familiar with luxury cars would recognize it at a glance as a rare, limited-edition model. Its value reached fifty million dollars, and for many people, owning such a car remained nothing more than a distant dream.

Curiosity filled the air, and the crowd found their attention drawn to the unfamiliar car.

Within the next moment, the driver stepped out and moved to the back door before opening it with care. From inside, Alina emerged.

Clothed in an exquisite piece of haute couture, she carried herself with quiet confidence. The elegance of the gown highlighted her beauty, and the refined look gave her a presence that felt almost regal. Without effort, she became the center of attention and left Jessica and Alan in the background.

At a single glance, Jessica recognized the jewelry adorning Alina. It came from Vick, and the design stood out as a rare custom piece that surpassed the one she had received from Alan.

Jealousy quickly took hold of her expression, and her composure began to falter. How could someone like Alina, who came from such a modest background, appear in something far more extravagant than what she owned?