Sara’s POV
I turned to see Mrs. Li walking toward me. She was a small woman in her fifties, dressed neatly in a black-and-white uniform. Her expression was calm but strict, like someone who never let anything slip past her.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, straightening up.
“I’m Mrs. Li, the head housekeeper,” she said. “Your mother told me you’d be helping while she’s away. I’ll show you to your quarters.”
I nodded quickly and followed her through another hallway, quieter and narrower than the main one. The walls here weren’t lined with paintings or flowers—just simple lamps and soft carpet underfoot. It smelled faintly of cleaning supplies and freshly baked bread.
We stopped at a wooden door near the end of the corridor. Mrs. Li opened it and stepped aside so I could see inside.
“This will be
