Sensing the lingering discomfort, Bruce approached Lily with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry for Ethan's behavior, Lily. He's dealing with some personal issues. Please don't take it personally," Bruce patted Lily's shoulder to comfort her. "Ethan is a good boy; he just needs some time. He is the same age as you. One of these days, you'll get to know each other well."

Lily, still bowing her head, nodded quietly. The cool marble floor beneath her feet seemed to bear the weight of her uncertainty. She had hoped for solace in this mansion, a break from the hardships she left behind, but Ethan's hatred shattered that illusion.

Living under the same roof as someone who visibly despised her troubled Lily. Her thoughts spiraled into a whirl of unsettling possibilities. What could be worse than the disdain of someone she had just met? What had she walked into? Once a symbol of hope, the mansion now felt like a maze of challenges.

Lily questioned the decision that brought her to the Grant mansion. But ultimately, she took the challenge as her way of moving forward. She was lucky enough that Bruce Grant offered help.

"Let me show you your room. I had the maids prepare it for your liking."

Lily lifted her head out of surprise. Bruce Grant had been good enough to let her live in his mansion. She didn't want to appear, taking advantage of his kindness. "That would be unnecessary, Uncle Bruce," she said hesitantly. "A small room would be enough for me. I'm used to living that way in the apartment."

"That's not happening when you live with us. You were born like a princess to the Evans and Green family, and it should stay that way as long as I am here."

Indeed, Lily lived like a princess when she was a child in their own mansion inherited by her mother from her late grandfather. She lived in luxury until the estate was sold a year ago, and they used the money to fend for their needs and some for his father to start a new business, but he failed.

Lily didn't say another word and followed Bruce as he showed her the way to her room. They arrived at the right wing on the second floor, where Bruce opened the white door on the second to the last room.

"This is your room, Lily." Bruce showed the massive room in a peach theme, Lily's favorite color.

Lily was in awe the moment she stepped into her room. She was brought back to when she still had her room in their old mansion. Tears formed in her eyes, thinking about her mom. Her mother, Leila, made all the effort to create the best room she liked.

"Why are you crying?" Bruce asked with a hint of concern in his voice. "Did you not like this room? Let me know if there's anything you'd like to add."

Lily shook her head. "No." She said, sobbing. "It's more than enough, Uncle Bruce. It's just that I remember my mom. When I was a kid, she made an effort to create the room I liked. It almost looks like this."

"Leila was a good mother to you, Lily. She did everything she could to give you the best life." Bruce's eyes sparkled at the mention of Leila's name but soon faded. "A beautiful soul has gone too soon."

"I know," Lily agreed. Tears kept flowing from her eyes as she looked at Bruce Grant.

"I'm sorry, Lily. I didn't mean to ruin the atmosphere of your first day of stay here."

"No." Lily waved her hand. "These are happy tears, knowing you are here with me, and this room felt like having my mom beside me. I need to be strong for her. I've promised Mom that I will never give up."

Bruce wiped Lily's tears. With a gentle tone, he remarked, "Your mother was a remarkable woman. I've known her for years. Leila had a way of finding strength in the most difficult moments."

Lily, offering a shy smile, responded, "Yes, she was incredible. I miss her so much."

"She will be remembered," Bruce agreed. "Lily, be strong, just like your mom. I understand this might not be an easy transition for you. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help."

Grateful for his kindness, Lily nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Grant. I appreciate your hospitality and all your help. Just earlier, I was about to give up knowing I was all alone, but when you came, it was like you gave me a second chance in life."

"Lily, you deserve all of this and more." Bruce hesitated for a moment before saying, "And about Ethan... He's been through a lot. Losing his mother hit him hard. I hope, with time, things will get better between you two."

Lily, wanting to address the elephant in the room, replied, "I hope so, too. I don't want any tension between us."

Bruce offered a reassuring smile. "Give it time, Lily. Healing takes time for everyone."

As Bruce departed to attend to business matters, Lily stood in her room, her mind a whirlwind of concern. Lily knew she needed to make a move on getting to know Ethan well and what made him upset about her.

A knock on the door was heard as Lily started unpacking her things. "Who is it?" She asked.

"Miss Lily, this is Emily, and I am with Jessie. Mr. Bruce Grant sent us here," a small voice came from the other side.

Lily opened the door. Two women in their 40s were standing in her doorway, "Hi, Emily, hi, Jessie," she greeted.

"Miss Lily, we are here to help you arrange your things," Jessie said.

In the stillness of her new room, Lily declined the servants' offers for help, but they insisted on helping her organize her clothes. As they worked together, Lily couldn't help but inquire about Ethan.

"Do you know much about Ethan?" she asked, her voice carrying a subtle curiosity.

Jessie, carefully folding a dress, hesitated before responding, "Ethan has changed a lot since losing his mother. He's become quiet and moody. Rarely talks to anyone, not even his father. He only opens up to his brother, who's away in France, handling their business expansion."

"Yes, Ethan used to be a jolly boy when I started working here 10 years ago," Emily seconded.

Lily nodded. "As I have noticed, he seemed like a man of few words."

Jessie elbowed Emily when she was about to say more, which Lily noticed. She understood the situation, and they might not want to get in trouble if they dispel their employees' private lives.

Lily absorbed this information, a tinge of sympathy mingling with her curiosity. She pondered the complicatedness of the family she had entered, sensing that the mansion held more untold stories than met the eye.

As the servants leave, in the solitude of her new room, Lily carefully retrieves the personal belongings she has placed in a box. Among them, she discovered a cherished photo frame containing a picture of her mother. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lily spoke to the photograph as if her mom were right there with her, seeking guidance and strength.

It became her ritual, a source of hope in the face of the unfamiliar challenges that awaited her in the Grant mansion.

With a heartfelt sigh, Lily glanced around the room, thoughts swirling about the lingering tension with Ethan. She wished for a resolution, a mending of the strained relationship, hoping that understanding and harmony would replace their palpable discomfort.

"Mom, help me! I want to be friends with Ethan even for the sake of Uncle Bruce."

The door creaked open as she spoke softly to the photo. Startled, Lily turned to find an old woman standing at the entrance, a faint smile on his face.

"Miss Lily, Mr. Grant asked you to join him for dinner. He will be waiting in the main dining room." The maid in her 60s said. The old servant reminded Lily of her old nanny, who had left them after they sold the mansion they used to live in.

"Thank you. Please tell Uncle Bruce I will be there in a minute."

The maid nodded as she turned to leave the room. Lily looked back at the photo, a silent conversation lingering. The mansion, filled with secrets and tensions, awaited her exploration, and Lily braced herself for the journey ahead.

As Lily left her room, he found Ethan descending the stairs, his eyes avoiding hers, creating an invisible barrier between them. She silently followed Ethan to the main dining room, avoiding stirring the tension between them. The massive dining table stretched before them, symbolizing the stark contrast between the luxurious life Lily moved into and the unresolved animosity with the person sitting across from her.

To diffuse the uneasy atmosphere, Bruce Grant offered a warm greeting. "Lily, I hope you find everything to your liking."

Lily smiled politely, appreciating the effort but acutely aware of Ethan's piercing gaze. The servants began serving the meal, their movements graceful but silent witnesses to the tension in the air.

Lily's eyes remained fixed on her plate, navigating the intricacies of her meal with a quiet focus. Sitting across from Lily, Ethan couldn't help but steal glances at her. The dim glow of the chandelier above highlighted the flawless contours of her face, casting a soft radiance on her features. For a moment, he was captivated by her beauty, a stark contrast to the resentment that had clouded his perception.

The memories of the girl he once admired were overshadowed by the revelation of her connection to his father. As Lily lifted her face, her eyes meeting his, Ethan hastily averted his gaze. Once animated with curiosity, his features settled into a mask of gloominess and emotionlessness.

"Does he hate me so much that he wouldn't dare look at my eyes?" Lily once again bowed her head with an unanswered question.