Chapter 5: Redemption

The assistant followed instructions and got out of the car, heading toward the store. As soon as the shopkeeper saw him, her demeanor changed drastically. The argumentative woman from moments ago transformed, plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Welcome to my store! What can I get for you, boss?" She spoke eagerly, her eyes sparkling as she took in the assistant's fine suit. She could barely contain her excitement, thinking she'd stumbled upon a walking money bag.

The assistant barely glanced at her and said, "Give the girl a bag of rice."

The shopkeeper's face fell, disappointment flickering in her eyes. How could such a wealthy-looking man possibly be here for that girl?

The assistant turned his attention toward Claire, observing her calm and composed demeanor. At her young age, it was remarkable that she could endure such mistreatment without even a word in retaliation. The assistant found himself admiring her resilience.

The bag of rice was quickly brought out, and as the shopkeeper handed it to Claire, she couldn't stop staring at the plastic bag in Claire's hand. If she had known earlier that the girl had such valuable items, she would have never argued with her. A single pen from that bag was worth more than the rice she was giving away.

But Claire ignored the shopkeeper, taking the bag of rice in one hand with ease. She turned to the assistant and said, "Thank you. This is all I have." She offered him the plastic bag containing her pens and notebooks.

The assistant smiled slightly and shook his head. "It's our boss's order. You don't need to worry about it. Consider it a small favor." The price of a bag of rice wasn't worth enough to even think about change.

However, Claire remained firm. "I will redeem this," she said, her gaze unwavering.

The assistant paused, a little amused. Redemption? He hadn't expected this. Did she really think they would take her pens and notebooks as collateral? Knowing his boss's cleanliness standards, he was sure these items would be discarded before they reached their destination.

But Claire didn't wait for his response. She simply bowed respectfully toward the car and then walked away, quietly yet resolutely. She would remember this favor.

Back in the car, the assistant hesitated. "Young Master, about this pen and notebook..." He couldn't bring himself to throw them away, but he was unsure if he should even bring them into the car.

Unexpectedly, a slender hand with distinct knuckles, a black diamond cuff glinting on his wrist, stretched out from the shadows.

"Give them to me," Alexander said in his deep, magnetic voice that carried a natural authority.

"Yes, Young Master." The assistant immediately handed over the items, unsure why his boss would be interested in such trivial things. Perhaps it was the brand or the memory of something personal. But Alexander simply put the items aside without a second glance.

The assistant, still puzzled, ventured cautiously, "Young Master, are you interested in the girl's character? Should we arrange for her to come to the base? From her attitude and aura, she could make an excellent military officer one day if given the chance."

Alexander closed his eyes and didn't respond. The assistant, sensing the conversation was over, fell silent.

Meanwhile, Claire returned home, preparing a simple meal of rice. As she cooked, memories flooded back. In her previous life, she had loved cooking with her grandmother. That experience had turned her into a skilled chef. After finishing her meal, she pulled out her books and resumed her studies.

Despite her young age, Claire was a genius, her IQ far surpassing that of her peers. She had even considered skipping a few grades but ultimately decided against it, preferring to keep a low profile. By now, she should have completed high school, but circumstances had forced her to delay her education. Deep down, she knew that soon, the Smith family would come for her.

For three years, Claire had stayed quietly in the village, practicing medicine and earning a degree in secret. Her mother had owned a clinic in the city, and coupled with the teachings of her grandmother, Claire had become a skilled practitioner. She knew what lay ahead of her and that the time to return to the city was approaching.

City A – Smith Family Villa

Standing before the grand estate of the Smith family, Claire felt a wave of disgust wash over her. Her father and mother had once been deeply in love, but something had driven them apart when her mother was pregnant with her. At the age of eight, Claire had been sent to live in the countryside, where she had remained for the past fifteen years.

Recently, Smith's grandfather had passed away, leaving behind a marriage contract for Claire. Now, the other party had come to demand that the Smith family fulfill their promise, forcing her back from the fishing village to marry for good luck.

After explaining her purpose to the gatekeeper, Claire was led into the Smith family home. Inside the luxurious living room, a girl lounged lazily on the sofa with her legs crossed. Upon seeing Claire, the girl's half-closed eyes widened in shock, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face.

"Are you Claire?" the girl sneered.

Claire simply nodded. She knew this girl well—Anna, the one whom she had once loved as a sister in her previous life, only to be met with betrayal and heartache. Though they had never met in this life, Anna's gaze was sharp, filled with envy as she realized how stunningly beautiful Claire was.

Claire's skin was as white as snow, her eyes as black as water, and her white dress made her look pure and elegant. How could this country bumpkin be prettier than me? Anna thought with disdain. But she curled her lips in a sneer. Claire's beauty wouldn't matter for long. She would soon lose everything. After all, this marriage was never meant to happen.

"Good that you're here," Anna said, her tone condescending. "In your lifetime, if you can do something for the Smith family, you might finally be of some value."