"Who is she?"
"She looks …. I can't say that she looks beautiful or plain."
"She looks at most, average!"
"Yes. That's it, but why is she being given such preferential treatment?"
A group of servants was busy trimming the hedge when Gloria and her entourage were spotted. They couldn't help but ask curiously as they watched the group of four.
"I am curious as well. After all, the whole clan knows how Ian and Iris are very important to the clan leader."
"Could it be that she is the clan leader's relative?"
"She might be just an important guest. Don't judge others without knowing who they are!"
"Maybe our future matriarch!" another said hesitatingly, his doubtful gaze locked on Gloria.
When the other heard that, they couldn't help but laugh mockingly as if they had just heard something ridiculous.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"There is no way that's the case, right?"
"Who knows? The patriarch hasn't remarried yet after so many years. Don't you think that the young miss and master deserve a mother?"
"Even if that's the case, don't you think that there are a lot of young ladies in the clan already eyeing that position?"
"Moreover, the clan leader already has children. Doesn't that woman look young?"
"Umph! So, what if they eye the matriarchy? As long as the clan leader doesn't give them a look, then isn't it useless?" the one who raised the matter of matriarch, harumphed and snorted as he thought of the women in question.
When the other heard that, they couldn't help but share their own opinions and the argument fermented. It kept them very busy and energetic to finish their duties that day.
Meanwhile, Gloria had no clue about what was happening with the servants. Her eyes were glued to the greenhouse a distance away from the mansion. It was very large and inside, from compost, garden beds, grow bags, tools and other items.
The greenhouse had two partitions. The first part was the one she saw and when she stepped into the second part, her eyes brightened as she came to a halt.
Upon seeing that, Cassy also smiled as she explained to Gloria.
"The clan leader had heard so much about your love for plants and farming. He also thought that this might interest you. So, he invested greatly in vertical farming," Cassy explained with a smile as she looked at Gloria, who was literally shining.
At this moment, Gloria's deep bias towards Xander seemed to be vanishing. It was the first time that she had been spoiled greatly like that. She had always wanted to try vertical farming. It was quite interesting and after the tough times she went through because of the severe drought. The soil was dry and couldn't produce anything at all.
But if they had invested a little bit in vertical farming, then perhaps they might have survived or recovered some losses. Unfortunately, those were her thoughts that couldn't be spoken of.
Now facing these hydroponics systems just waiting for her to start, Gloria for once didn't think that being sent to this clan was a bad thing.
'I am going to experiment and learn as much as I can. When I return home, I will be full of confidence. I will be able to help the clan better that way!' Gloria became determined as she looked at everything.
She wasn't good at most things, but her passion for plants was something that she was confident in. She was going to do her best.
She didn't forget that it was all because of the clan leader. So, after appreciating the beautiful indoor farm, she turned to look at Cassy with a smile and said, "Thank the clan leader for me. I really appreciate this so much," her tone filled with utmost sincerity.
Cassy smiled back at Gloria, though inwardly she was feeling a bit guilty thinking about another mission she was given.
'I hope that she won't hate me when the time comes!' she could only lament the bad luck of being a subordinate.
Anyway, Gloria toured the greenhouse with enthusiasm, already coming up with ideas of how she was going to deal with the place.
She only left the greenhouse reluctantly after she was informed that lunch had been prepared.
Gloria wasn't one to torture herself. So, she returned to the mansion, where few dishes were served this time. Which made her feel relieved. Nonetheless, the food was still plenty for one person. So, she padded her belly with what she could before leaving what she couldn't eat.
Once she was done eating, she returned to her bedroom, where she showered and got rid of the sweat.
She didn't plan to return to the greenhouse, but wanted to jot down the ideas that were flowing in her mind for hours.
The sooner she started, the sooner she could go home.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans for her.
Knock. Knock.
Just as she sat down on her bed with her phone in hand, someone came knocking.
Thinking that it was either Cassy or Iris, she answered, "Come in! It's not locked," allowing the visitor entry.
Moments later, the door was opened and Cassy stepped inside wearing a solemn expression which Gloria failed to notice. Because at that moment, she was clicking on the response from Simon, curious about what he had just sent her.
[I am glad to hear that you arrived safely. I am sorry for answering late. I was busy tackling some clan work. Anyway, don't worry much about us here. We will do our best to keep the clan floating. Don't put yourself in danger and always take care of yourself.]
Her eyes couldn't help but pool with tears when she read that. Even when things were tough like that, he was still comforting her. Did she save the world in her past life for her to find such a caring man like Simon?
Seeing his supportive side, Gloria became even more determined to work harder and do something for the clan. She couldn't let Simon or the clan members down.
Cassy had a bad feeling when she saw Gloria's reaction after she read the message on her phone. She couldn't help but clutch the tablet in her hand tightly, her heart pounding at the thought of messing everything for the clan leader.
'I need to do it now! If I delay, the consequences might be deadly!' Cassy nervously thought as a sense of urgency filled her.
There were drops of sweat on her forehead and she was unconsciously biting her bottom lip.
Gloria, after reading Simon's message, was feeling happy, and her mood was uplifted. She raised her head to look at Cassy and smiled at her, asking, "Is there something that you need me for?"
Cassy was jolted to reality when Gloria asked that. She cleared her throat embarrassingly as she looked at Gloria and guiltily said as she stretched the hand with the tablet, saying, "I am running an errand. I was told to pass this to you by the clan leader's secretary. He said that it's something that you must see!"
Gloria furrowed her brows as she accepted the tablet, confusion on her face, wondering what could be so important for the secretary to emphasize that.
When Cassy saw that Gloria had accepted the tablet, she heaved a sigh of relief before she politely excused herself the moment. She saw Gloria about to flip the tablet cover.
"I will be waiting outside, if you need me!" Cassy said before fleeing from the room as if she was being chased.
Gloria didn't take that to heart but curiously flipped the cover, only to be welcomed by a dark screen. She pressed the switch button and the tablet's screen lit up.
"What is this?" she couldn't help but wonder as she looked at the tablet screen where a video on pause was waiting for her.
Since it was deemed important, Gloria not suspecting much, clicked on the video and excitement was written on her face the moment she spotted a familiar person appearing.
"Simon!" she affectionately called as she touched the face of the man she loved dearly on the screen.
How could he look so handsome even on screen like that?
She really picked the right person to spend the rest of her life with. Unfortunately, during this moment, they were forced to separate. Thankfully, in the future, they would be reunited. She couldn't wait.
However, moments later, that smile turned ugly as a foreboding feeling washed over her.
Badum. Badum. Badum.
Gloria's dry palms became sweaty as her heart pounded literally in her ears as that voice, she could recognize even in a deep comma spoke words that made her feel dread.
[Clan leader Xander, have you thought deeply about my offer?]
When she heard that, Gloria couldn't help but think why it was Simon asking that and not the other clan leader.
After all, didn't he tell her that it was clan leader Xander who proposed the conditions of the contract and he didn't have a choice but to follow?
Then why was he asking that question?
Unfortunately for her, the bad part was just starting and more was coming.