She was confident in her allure. No man had ever resisted her charm, and she was certain that Gavin, the head of the Stone Family, would be no different. Once she secured her position as the lady of the house, she envisioned a life filled with admiration and envy from others. Liza? She would remain beneath her, a mere pawn subject to her whims. “Serena, what’s on your mind? You’re smiling so brightly,” Brandon’s voice broke through her thoughts. Startled, Serena quickly composed herself and turned to him with a gentle smile. “I was just admiring the villa. It’s truly stunning. What were you saying earlier, Brandon?” “I was explaining that I’ll handle most of the conversation with the head of the household. You know he dislikes unnecessary chatter, especially from women. Speak only if he addresses you directly,” Brandon reminded her, his tone firm. He glanced around, gesturing at the luxurious surroundings. “This villa was designed by the head of the family’s top architect. Naturally, it’s a masterpiece.” The elegance and opulence of the villa spoke of unrivaled wealth and status. Serena’s eyes briefly glimmered with ambition before she masked her expression with a sigh. “It’s a pity my sister couldn’t join us. She loves places like this—grand and beautiful. I suppose it’s because she grew up with so little. That’s why she values money and luxury so much.” She hesitated, then added in a softer voice, “If she could see this villa, perhaps she wouldn’t spend her time with those older, unsavory men she seems to attract.” Brandon frowned, clearly irritated by the mention of Liza. He placed a reassuring hand on Serena’s shoulder. “Don’t dwell on her decisions. You’ve already done everything you could for her. It’s her choice to lower herself. She’s the one who failed to see the better path in front of her.” Serena lowered her gaze, concealing the faint satisfaction in her eyes. Yes, Liza had chosen her own downfall. Meanwhile, Serena’s path stretched straight toward glory. She would become the future mistress of the Stone Family, a position of unrivaled prestige and power. … In the tearoom of the villa, Liza sat comfortably on a tatami mat, sipping tea that George had prepared. She leaned back with a contented sigh. “George, I never expected you to be this skilled at brewing tea. Honestly, it feels like a waste for you to just be Gavin’s assistant.” Caught off guard, George scratched his head, his face flushing with embarrassment. “Madam, you’re too generous with your praise. My skills are really nothing special.” Liza waved dismissively. “No, I mean it. I don’t usually compliment people, so you should feel proud.” Her words carried weight, given her refined palate. Having grown up drinking tea prepared by renowned masters, her standards were exceptionally high. A compliment from her was rare and well-earned, and George’s tea had impressed her.Gavin, who had been silently observing from nearby, glanced at the duo. His expression darkened slightly as he watched their lighthearted interaction. It was almost as if they had forgotten he was there. Ordinarily, George would have been quick to pick up on Gavin’s mood, but today he was too preoccupied with amazement. He had just discovered that the strikingly glamorous woman who had descended the stairs earlier was none other than Madam herself. Her versatility left him in awe. On a whim, he had offered to brew tea for her, never expecting her to accept—and praise his efforts so enthusiastically. “Madam, have you had tea brewed by many professionals before?” George asked, his curiosity piqued. “Oh, plenty. I used to drink tea made by Chef Du quite often. His tea is exquisite, and it’s my favorite,” Liza replied nonchalantly. “Chef Du?” George’s eyes widened. “You mean the Chef Du? The internationally acclaimed tea master?” She nodded. “The very same. If he ever visits Li City again, I’ll arrange for you to meet him. He’s very passionate about tea and loves teaching people his craft. The only problem is his nagging—he’s always lamenting how no one appreciates traditional tea brewing anymore. If it weren’t for the fact that his tea is exceptional, I probably wouldn’t tolerate it. But I have a feeling you two would get along.” George’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? I always thought Chef Du was a reserved man who rarely interacted with others. He’s so passionate about tea but doesn’t seem very approachable.” Liza shot him a skeptical look. “Where did you hear that? You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.” Blushing slightly, George admitted, “I guess it’s just the impression I got from the news. I’ve never met him in person.” Liza chuckled, rolling her eyes. “If Old Du knew he had such an admirer, he’d probably get all puffed up with pride.” She reached out her hand. “Give me your phone. I’ll share his WeChat contact with you.” As the conversation grew more animated, Gavin, who had been quietly observing the entire time, finally spoke in a low, cutting tone. “George, you can forget about your salary for this month.” Startled, George froze, the excitement on his face giving way to panic. Liza, however, merely raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh as she glanced at Gavin. The atmosphere in the tearoom shifted, but her amusement remained.