Florrie''s face fell the moment she heard the answer, disappointment written all over her features.


    But she bounced back quickly and pressed on, "Is it because my dad changed his mind, or did he make things difficult for you? Did he threaten you? Tell me, and I''ll help you figure something out."


    Ste looked at the girl''s eager expression and asked, "Do you really want me to join the Watson family that much?"


    "Of course!" Florrie nodded,pletely candid. "If youe back to the Watsons, my dad will finally stop keeping such a close eye on me."


    Ste was puzzled. "Why is Mr. Watson watching you so closely?"


    Florrie looked a little embarrassed. "Honestly, I''m just useless at everything. I eat too much, I''mzy, and my grades are a disaster-I''m always at the bottom of the ss. Dad''s such a perfectionist, he''s always pushing me to improve. Music lessons, painting, etiquette sses-I can barely keep up with those. Buttely, he''s even started making me learn business. The moment the teacher starts talking about stocks and markets, I start nodding off. And Dad quizzes me all the time! If I fail, he deducts my allowance."


    She pulled a face, clearly exasperated. "My pocket money gets wiped out every month. It''s miserable! If you join the Watson family, maybe you could take some of the pressure off me..."


    Ste couldn''t help but smile at Florrie''s candid confession.


    This girl was nothing if not honest.


    "Are you not worried," Ste teased, "that if Ie back to the Watson family, I''llpete with you for the inheritance or your father''s affection?"


    Florrie shook her head. "If you can help the Watson Group grow and make thepany thrive, I don''t care about the rest. As long as I have afortable life, that''s all I want. As for Dad''s affection..." She made a face, half-joking, half- serious. "His version of ''affection'' is endless lessons and self-improvement. If that''s what love means, anyone else can have it. I''ll pass."


    Ste couldn''t helpughing. The girl was just too charming.


    She decided not to tease Florrie anymore. "Your brother will being back after his concert. When he''s home, I doubt Mr. Watson will keep putting so much pressure on you."


    Florrie sighed. "Honestly, it''s not just that I hate studying. I just wish our family wasn''t I


    that quiet. If I had siblings, the house wouldn''t fore


    empty."


    SO


    The Watsons had always been a small family, and her only brother had passed away unexpectedly. The enormous house felt unbearably lonely with just her rattling around inside. She''d always been drawn to noise andughter, and envied families like the Burtons, who were blessed with a crowd of children. Even the Williams family, though notrge, gave Aurora three older


    brothers.


    Right now, Florrie still had no idea that Ste was, in fact, one of the Williams.


    Ste handed the jade bracelet back to her. "Ms. Watson, you should hold on to this for now."


    But Florrie perked up again. "No need! Whether you join the Watson family or not, it''s a wee gift for you."


    She gave Ste a sly wink. "Who knows, if we''re not sisters in the future, maybe you''ll end up as my sister-inw."


    It was obvious that Florrie was warm and open-hearted by nature.


    Ste didn''t argue anymore. "Alright, then. I''ll ept it."


    Florrie''s face lit up with a dazzling smile.


    She liked Ste just the way she was-straightforward, not pretentious or coy.


    Florrie took the initiative to exchange contact details with Ste, and the two of them walked out together, chatting as they went.


    Before long, Florrie started calling Ste "Star" instead.


    "Star, do you know Aurora? She''s the most famous socialite around—the gold standard, really. Incredibly smart, incredibly beautiful." Florrie paused, ncing at Ste. "To be honest, in all these years, I''ve hardly met anyone who can hold a candle to Aurora. But you''re definitely one of them. You''re the first person I''ve met who doesn''t getpletely overshadowed by her. I''ll introduce you two in a bit."