On the way to the kitchen, Shane gave Anna some advice.

"Noblemen's patience is limited. While Young Master Parish still likes you, you should please him, whatever you got!"

To Shane, this was very simple. Yesterday, this girl caught Master Parish's attention. Parish was enchanted by her and said he wanted to marry her. But she must have thought that if she was too easy to get, Parish wouldn't cherish her, so she deliberately refused.

Out of her expectation, Parish did not insist. He didn't go looking for her the next day either. Panicked, she hurried over, seeing that Parish was still affectionate towards her, she was reassured and deliberately refused again.

Although the master's proposal was certainly not sincere, still, she shouldn't be too greedy! Did she really think that if Parish fell in love with her, she could become the future owner of the Earl's mansion?

Anna muttered inwardly and smiled, "Thank you, Brother Shane. I know what to do."

Shane wouldn't believe her if she said she had no interest in the current "Master Parish," so she decided to brush him off.

Shane, knowing Anna didn't take his words to heart and would likely come to a bad end, still said, "If you get any benefits in the future, don't forget it was me who brought you in."

"Don't worry, Brother Shane. I won't forget," Anna replied. Shane had indeed helped her, and if she ever became successful, she would repay him.

Of course, the one who had helped her the most this time was the demon.

When Anna heard the demon's instructions to Shane, her heart raced.

Though she knew the demon had ulterior motives for keeping her, she figured she couldn't escape anyway, so why not look on the bright side?

For instance, she finally had a job, a job that paid well and had a high status. And she had taken Lily's job—Lily would probably be furious. Just thinking about it made Anna happy.

Although she still feared the demon, she could see that his actions followed certain rules. As long as she kept refusing his proposals, she would be fine.

When they reached the kitchen, Shane didn't leave immediately—he had tasks to do for Master Parish.

The kitchen was bustling because new staff were being hired. Not only Lily's aunt received the news, other relatives of the kitchen staff also recommended suitable candidates.

Five new girls lined up in the kitchen, nervously and expectantly facing a plump middle-aged woman who appeared to be in charge.

The five girls were facing Shane's direction, and when Lily first saw Anna behind Shane, she couldn't help but scream, "Anna! How can you be here? Get out!"

This was a place only for girls with recommendations. How could Anna be here? What right did she have to be here!

At that moment, Lily suddenly remembered what Anna had said to her yesterday. It was as if a bucket of cold water poured over her.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Anna said she would take her job... she, she really came!

The middle-aged woman frowned at Lily and said sternly, "Lily, you are disqualified."

Lily was stunned. She was about to speak, but recalling the woman's words, she suppressed her emotions and quickly pleaded, "Madam Mary, I'm sorry. Please give me another chance!"

Madam Mary remained cold. "You are disqualified. Stand aside and don't make me repeat."

Anna almost laughed out loud at this scene.

She did not do anything, and Lily was already out?

Lily, who always acted like a fierce wildcat in front of Anna, didn't dare to say much in a place like the Earl's mansion. She wiped her tears and left, glaring at Anna with resentment.

When Lily passed Anna, she heard her whisper.

"I said I would take your job, and I did it."

Lily's face changed dramatically. If it weren't for the last bit of reason reminding her that this was the Earl's mansion and not a place where she could act out, she might have pounced on Anna for a fight!

Madam Mary then turned to Shane and politely asked, "Shane, what brings you here?"

Shane replied, "I'm here to convey Master Parish's orders."

Madam Mary nodded, "What are his instructions?"

"Master Parish says to keep her in the kitchen," Shane said, stepping back to let Anna come forward.

Madam Mary's face showed no emotion as she nodded, "Understood."

She turned to the four remaining girls and said, "The kitchen only needs one person. You may leave."

Each girl who left gave Anna a resentful glare.

After the girls and Shane left, Madam Mary looked Anna over and asked, "What is your name?"

Anna lowered her eyes and responded softly, "My name is Anna, Madam Mary."

Seeing Anna's well-behaved demeanor, Madam Mary was satisfied, though she didn't show it on her face.

Although Master Parish's orders must be obeyed, it was more comfortable to manage someone who was obedient and well-behaved.

"I am the deputy housekeeper of the Earl's mansion. The kitchen is under my jurisdiction. As a newcomer, you will start by learning from the experienced staff. The rules of the Earl's kitchen are completely different from those at your home. You need to learn them seriously. No slack off!"

"Yes, I understand," Anna replied obediently.

Madam Mary's neutral attitude towards her allowed Anna to breathe a sigh of relief. She was here just to work and didn't want to be treated differently because of Master Parish.

Madam Mary assigned Anna a "mentor," a maid named Rebecca. In Earl's mansion, all ordinary female employees were called maids, with different job categories and different pay scales. As a maid working in the kitchen, Anna would earn ten silver coins a month, almost double her father's income as a tavern barkeep.

No wonder everyone was eager to get into the Earl's mansion.

Considering that her family's current income could cover their usual expenses, Anna could save her entire salary. Once she saved enough money, the first thing she wanted to do was move out of Pomegranate Lane!

On the first day, Anna merely followed Rebecca to learn the route from the mansion's back gate to the kitchen and introduced herself to the four guards who would be on rotation at the back gate to facilitate her future comings and goings.

The formal start of her work was the next day. After familiarizing herself with the surroundings, Anna went home early, eager to share the good news with her family.

When Anna returned to Pomegranate Lane, a young man suddenly ran up to her and shouted, "Anna, you need to go home! Someone is messing at your place!"

Anna's face changed. She thanked the young man and rushed back home. At this time of day, Evan and Jem had just gone to the tavern, leaving only her mother, Adele, and little Evan at home.

The young man followed closely behind Anna, keeping pace with her.

Anna did not even reach her house when she saw Lily and her mother, Renee, standing at her doorstep, shouting loudly.

"Your daughter is a shameless tramp! She used her looks to seduce Master Parish and stole the job belonged to my daughter! How on earth did you raise such a shameless bitch? By the Goddess, you should be cast into the Demon Realm!"

Lily stood beside her, tears streaming down her face as she accused, "That was supposed to be my job! Anna shamelessly took it from me!"

The mother and daughter were loudly cursing in front of Anna's house. Gayle stood at the door, her face pale with anger, but she couldn't bring herself to curse back and could only weakly deny, "Anna is not that kind of person..."

Seeing this scene, Anna's eyes reddened with anger.

How dare them to bully her mother!