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00:01The day I applied for a live-in nanny job, I deliberately made myself look ugly to scare
00:06off creeps. I wasn't about to deal with another employer's son knocking on my door in the
00:10middle of the night. Too bad, I scared off the creeps. But I didn't stop myself from
00:15walking into the wrong interview room. I had somehow barged into a temporary fiancé casting
00:20for Julian, the heir to a mafia family. The room was packed with socialites. They were
00:25busy showing off their degrees, family backgrounds, and talents. I'm Emma Carter. I have a master's
00:30in piano performance from the Royal Academy of Music. Olivia Hayes. I'm a certified tea
00:37master. I speak French, German, and Italian. Sophia Bennett. I graduated from an Ivy League
00:43business school. I took over my family's medical company last year. Julian rejected every single
00:47one. Julian, how many is this now? What the hell are you looking for in a fiancé? His friend
00:52Ethan stood beside him, looking impatient. I stood at the back of the crowd, staring at
00:56the job posting in my hand. Then I thought about my sister's sky-high medical bills. I
01:01gritted my teeth and pushed through the crowd. Every head in the room turned towards me.
01:06Where did this party girl come from? Seriously? Anyone can just walk up to Julian now? Wait,
01:12tell us what you're good at first. You really think Julian meets just anyone? You have to perform
01:17a special talent just to apply for a live-in nanny job? Then it hit me. I pulled out my
01:21phone
01:21and blasted some music. Then I threw my arms around and started doing an exaggerated fist
01:26move. This was my grandma's legendary party move. No way Julian can resist that. This, this
01:31isn't the one I found. This one's good! Where the hell did you find her? Julian, your parents
01:40are going to pass out if they see that rainbow hair. That's exactly what I want.
01:55What's your name? Nikki Russo. Education? I didn't finish college. But I can cook, do laundry, fix pipes, and I
02:06get along great with kids and old folks.
02:09If everything looks good, sign it. Then I saw the monthly salary. $100,000. 100 grand a month? No way!
02:19You're not kidding, right?
02:20I got so excited, my fake buck teeth almost flew out of my mouth. Does your tooth hurt? Born this
02:25way.
02:28Do a good job, and there's a bonus. Deal. No regret. I'll sign right now. I quickly signed my name,
02:36afraid Julian would change his mind.
02:37That same day, I moved into Julian's house with my neon pink suitcase. His house was ridiculously huge. I almost
02:43pulled out my phone to check the map. I stood in the middle of the living room and looked up
02:47at the three-story Crystal Shandier.
02:49Mr. Ashford, how much does this thing cost you in electricity every month?
02:54Why do you want to know?
02:55I need to do the math. This place looks expensive to run.
02:59What if my $100,000 salary gets dunked $98,000 for electricity?
03:02Then I'd be working for free!
03:05Julian was speechless.
03:06I'm not deducting it from your salary.
03:08Good.
03:09Julian's house had that kind of decor. Expensive as hell, but completely lifeless. Everything was cold.
03:14You rich people have such weird taste. Your house looks like a prison.
03:18Nico Russo, here. Your room is upstairs.
03:22Got it, boss.
03:23I grabbed my suitcase and charged upstairs. Then I lost my footing and started falling backwards. Julian caught me in
03:29the next second.
03:34Oh, by the way, Mr. Ashford, what time do you usually take a dump?
03:40I pulled a little notebook from my pocket. I need to plan the cleaning schedule.
03:46The bathroom needs some efficiency. Best to avoid using it at the same time.
03:52Do you usually go in the morning or at night? The silence was so deep.
03:56How many times a day? Any constipation? Want me to make you some prune juice?
04:04Get out.
04:06Yes, sir! Then just yell for me when you go! I'll write it down!
04:10The next morning, I got up at 5 sharp to make Julian breakfast. The kitchen was bigger than a restaurant
04:15kitchen, but the fridge only had a few bottles of water.
04:19What good is a giant house if you don't even know how to live?
04:26At 6.30, Julian came downstairs. He'd just showered. His upper body was bare, with wet hair. His face looked
04:33pale. He stopped at the dining table.
04:35What is this?
04:36Breakfast!
04:41Make me an Americano. I don't eat breakfast.
04:44You have a bad stomach and you're still drinking coffee?
04:47Who told you that?
04:49Your face. You're pale as a ghost.
04:56Either you never sleep, or your stomach's messed up.
05:03You're young, but you're already in bad shape.
05:09Bet you couldn't last a few seconds in bed either.
05:13Nikki Russo?
05:14Sit down. At least have some oatmeal.
05:22I sat across from Julian with my little notebook.
05:25Mr. Ashford had oatmeal for breakfast. Bad stomach. No iced Americano. Lights out before 11.
05:31Who said you could write all that down?
05:33I'm a professional.
05:39Didn't you say you never finished college?
05:42Low education doesn't mean I don't know how to care for people.
05:44Right before he left, he stood in front of the mirror, tying his tie.
05:48His tie was crooked, and he didn't even notice.
05:50Mr. Ashford, your tie is so crooked!
05:53What?
05:55Stand still. Don't move.
05:57I went up on my toes and reached for his tie.
05:59I was standing so close that I could smell the faint scent of his cologne.
06:02It actually smelled pretty good.
06:04Julian looked down at me.
06:06He stared at me for a long moment.
06:08My heart tightened.
06:09Mr. Ashford? Why are you staring at me?
06:11Again, Julian became speechless.
06:15Go make money. I've got the house.
06:18That was when Ethan arrived. He happened to see the whole thing.
06:24Julian, you two are already this close?
06:27Shut up.
06:29Is she hitting on you?
06:31Her methods are pretty crude.
06:33But she's patient.
06:35Julian's stomach attack came on a night of pouring rain.
06:38I'd already gone to bed.
06:40Then I heard something outside my door.
06:42I got up and saw him leaning against the wall, his face pale.
06:45Mr. Ashford?
06:47What's wrong?
06:48He ignored me and headed straight for the living room.
06:51I knew immediately. His stomach was acting up.
06:53I opened the medicine cabinet.
06:55Cold medicine, clean killers, everything but stomach medicine.
06:59You don't even have stomach meds?
07:03Call my assistant.
07:05By the time they get here, you'll be dead.
07:07I grabbed my motorcycle keys and ran outside.
07:10It's raining!
07:12Even if knives were falling from the sky, I'd still go!
07:14Twenty minutes later, I came back with medicine and hot soup.
07:17Julian was sitting on the couch, looking awful.
07:20Are you crazy?!
07:22You're the crazy one!
07:23Your stomach's already wrecked, and you're still drinking coffee?
07:28What, you think being born rich means your stomach's made of steel?!
07:31Julian clearly wasn't used to being yelled at like that.
07:34I took out his medicine, poured him some water, and watched until he swallowed it.
07:39Then I brought him the chicken soup.
07:42I'm not hungry.
07:43Not hungry?!
07:44Eat anyway! If you don't, I'll get a funnel and pour it down your throat!
07:50I fed him his medicine and took care of him until three in the morning.
07:54I glanced at Julian in bed. He was probably asleep.
07:57The woman in the mirror looked like a disaster.
08:00I quickly grabbed a makeup wipe and scrubbed everything off.
08:03Then I took out my fake buck teeth.
08:04I washed the fake teeth, wrapped them in tissues, and put them away.
08:08I'd need them again tomorrow.
08:09After washing my face, I was about to head back to my room.
08:12Then I remembered the towel on Julian's forehead still needed changing.
08:16Fine. I'd already come this far.
08:19Besides, he was asleep.
08:21I returned to the bedroom and bent down to take the towel off his forehead.
08:26I almost jumped out of my skin.
08:28His eyes slowly swept over my face.
08:31Mr. Ashford?
08:32The girl had fair skin, a delicate nose, and wide, guilty eyes.
08:36But her face was so pretty, it was hard to look away.
08:40Nikki Russo?
08:42Y-yeah. That's me.
08:46Crap.
08:47I forgot to put my fake teeth back in.
08:50Where are your teeth?
08:52I quickly shoved my hand behind my back, but I moved too fast.
08:55The fake buck teeth wrapped in tissues slipped from my hand.
08:59Nikki Russo?
09:00Yes, sir.
09:03Explain this.
09:06Why my buck tooth nanny suddenly get a whole new face.
09:13Tell me.
09:14Julian set the fake buck teeth on the table.
09:17Why are you dressed up like this?
09:19To keep creeps away.
09:22Who harassed you?
09:23I ran into a guy during a job interview.
09:25It wasn't a big deal. He blocked the door and wouldn't let me leave.
09:27Then he offered me an extra two grand a month if I went to his room at night to clean.
09:29Julian's face darkened.
09:32You went?
09:33I shoved a mop in his mouth.
09:35After that, I figured shoving a mop in every creep's mouth was too much work, so I bought these.
09:39I pointed at the fake buck teeth on the table.
09:41$39.90, free shipping.
09:43They even threw in a box of freckle pens.
09:44Works like a charm.
09:46Julian didn't laugh.
09:47He held the fake teeth in his hand for a long while.
09:49His knuckles slowly turned white.
09:51If you're so afraid of men, why did you dare move into my house?
09:54Because you don't look like a creep.
09:56Why not?
09:57Your face is so pale, you look like you've got kidney problems.
09:59You probably don't have the energy.
10:01Julian looked up at me. His stare was ice cold.
10:04Keep wearing them.
10:06I froze.
10:07What?
10:09At the Ashford family's house.
10:11Keep wearing them.
10:12He put the fake teeth back on the table and pushed them toward me.
10:15No one's gonna mess with you.
10:17What if I don't want to wear them someday?
10:19Then take them off. I'll handle whatever happens outside.
10:22I stared at him for a long moment, not quite sure what to make of it.
10:25Mr. Ashford, are you going to keep this a secret for me?
10:29I just want some peace and quiet.
10:30He said coldly.
10:31If you keep shoving mops into people's mouths every day, the Ashford family will end up in the news.
10:36Oh, the weight I'd been carrying in my chest finally dropped.
10:40Thanks then.
10:41No need.
10:42He paused before adding.
10:43I'll reimburse you the $39.90.
10:45No.
10:46Why?
10:47Because it's my own business.
10:48Julian stared at me for two seconds, then put his phone down.
10:52Fine.
10:52The next morning, I saw Julian standing in the living room with his car keys in hand, looking ready to
10:58leave.
10:59He glanced at me.
11:01Someone's delivering something this afternoon. Take it in.
11:03That afternoon, Julian had someone deliver a formal dress to me.
11:07It was white, with pearls sewn all over the skirt.
11:10It looked ridiculously expensive.
11:12He stood at the top of the stairs.
11:14Put it on.
11:15What am I supposed to wear this for?
11:17We have somewhere to be.
11:20I had no choice but to go back to my room and change.
11:22The dress was a little too long.
11:24I held up the hem as I walked out, feeling like a fish trapped inside a mosquito net.
11:29The living room was quiet.
11:30Julian had been reading some documents.
11:32But after he looked up, he didn't turn the page for a long time.
11:36The white skirt fell around my feet.
11:38My colorful hair was still as loud as ever.
11:40But without the heavy brows and fake freckles, my face looked surprisingly clean and pretty.
11:45My eyes were bright.
11:46My nose was small.
11:47My lips had a soft, natural color.
11:49I lifted the skirt and spun around.
11:51Does it look good?
11:52Julian looked away.
11:53Change.
11:53It doesn't suit you.
11:54Why?
11:55What doesn't suit me?
11:55You look too normal.
11:57I went back to my room, put the fake buck tooth back in, and drew on the freckles.
12:00Julian looked me up and down.
12:02After a moment, he nodded.
12:03That's better.
12:04You really do like ugly girls.
12:05Shut up.
12:07Tomorrow, you're coming with me to meet my parents.
12:09If I showed up at the Ashford family home looking like this, they'd probably pass out on the spot.
12:13I pointed at myself.
12:14Me?
12:15Do live-in maids have to meet their employer's parents too?
12:17It's in the contract.
12:18You're required to attend any necessary family events with me.
12:22I nodded.
12:23No wonder it paid a hundred grand.
12:25Turns out, I was expected to take care of the whole family.
12:28I, Nikki, always kept my word.
12:30If they wanted me to serve the whole family, I'd make sure every last one of them was happy.
12:35Before we left, I checked myself in the mirror and pushed the fake buck teeth into place.
12:40We were going to the Ashford family estate tomorrow.
12:43I couldn't afford to screw anything up.
12:45Julian stood by the door, watching me.
12:47Make sure those teeth are on properly.
12:49They are.
12:51He gave me one look and said nothing else.
12:53The Ashford family estate was even more extravagant than Julian's house.
12:57The moment I walked in, I tripped over the doorstep.
13:00I almost went down flat on my face with a jar of pickles in my arms.
13:03Julian, since when did the Ashford family's doorstep get so low?
13:09She was Julian's mother, Victoria.
13:11It's not low.
13:12I almost tripped over it just now.
13:14You should get rid of it.
13:14Old people and kids could easily fall.
13:16The smile on the woman's face froze.
13:18Julian turned his head like he was trying not to laugh.
13:21I thought he was impressed by how well I handled it.
13:24So I instantly grew more confident.
13:26I brought some pickles.
13:29I made them myself.
13:31Grandma has high blood pressure, so she shouldn't eat too much.
13:34And uncle and auntie look like they get overheated easily.
13:37They shouldn't eat too much either.
13:38It'll make it worse.
13:40Victoria's expression changed.
13:41This is an Ashford family matter.
13:43It's not for someone with weird yellow hair to interfere.
13:45My hair is not yellow.
13:46It's rainbow.
13:47You rich people eat too fancy.
13:49You're probably missing a little home-cooked warmth.
13:53Pickles are great for your appetite.
13:55They go with pretty much anything.
13:57Julian's father, George, said in a low voice.
13:59Julian, this is the woman you chose?
14:01Julian leaned back in his chair, his tone casual.
14:03Is there a problem?
14:04George's expression darkened.
14:06Just then, Julian's grandmother, Diane, tried to stand.
14:09Her legs weren't very steady.
14:11Grandma, easy.
14:12Don't push yourself.
14:13I helped Diana sit back down, but her hearing aids suddenly fell out.
14:17I picked it up and took a look.
14:18The battery wasn't making proper contact.
14:21It's a little loose.
14:22I pulled a tiny screwdriver from my bag.
14:24Everyone in the Ashford family froze.
14:25Three minutes later, I put the hearing aid back in Diana's ear.
14:29Grandma, can you hear me?
14:31I can.
14:32Good.
14:33Your hearing aid has turned up a little too loud.
14:35Don't set it that high next time.
14:36Your ears aren't speakers.
14:37Once you blow them out, they're hard to fix.
14:40You're a strange girl.
14:42But I'm right.
14:43Julian had been waiting for them to lose their temper.
14:45Instead, everyone sat there and tried to find something, anything, they could actually fault me for.
14:50The only real problem was probably my ridiculously colorful hair.
14:53But I had caught their grandmother, fixed her hearing aid, and even taken away the sugary desserts.
14:59Nikki, come sit next to Grandpa.
15:01I immediately moved over.
15:02Sure thing.
15:03Julian watched me chatting away with his grandmother.
15:05For the first time, he realized things weren't going the way he'd expected.
15:09Diane soon took me to a ladies' social gathering.
15:11I had no idea she wanted to introduce me to high society, so I'd realize I wasn't cut out for
15:15it and back off.
15:17The moment we arrived, a group of older women in evening gowns and expensive jewelry gathered around me.
15:22One of them looked me up and down.
15:24Diana, is this the girl Julian brought home?
15:27That hair, quite a statement.
15:28Another woman chimed in with a laugh.
15:31Looks like a feather duster.
15:32I heard her.
15:33I wasn't angry.
15:34I just took off my heels and went barefoot on the carpet.
15:37Everyone froze.
15:38What are you doing?
15:41These shoes are killing my feet, and you ladies are killing people with your words.
15:44All these rich family rules really wear you out.
15:47The woman's face turned bright red.
15:49Diane was holding her tea.
15:50She almost spit it out, trying not to laugh.
15:52Someone clearly wasn't convinced.
15:54She took a slow sip and said,
15:55Miss Rosso, someone like Julian isn't a man you can simply stand beside and expect to keep your footing.
16:01I was completely confused.
16:03Stand beside Mr. Ashford?
16:04Were they saying a maid shouldn't get too close to her employer?
16:07Was that against the rules?
16:09Then I can stand farther away.
16:11I'm mainly responsible for Mr. Ashford's meals and daily schedule.
16:15I don't need to follow him around all day.
16:17Unless he asks for me, I usually stay where I'm supposed to be.
16:19The woman clearly hadn't expected that answer.
16:22She didn't know what to say.
16:23Suddenly, I pulled out my phone and started playing some music.
16:27But if you ladies keep sitting around like this, your backs are gonna get stiff.
16:30A group of wealthy women stared at me.
16:32I held out my hand to Diane.
16:34Grandma, come on! Let's dance!
16:36Diane refused at first.
16:38Three steps left.
16:39Three steps right.
16:40Hands up.
16:41Yes! Smile!
16:42Come on! Dancing isn't a crime!
16:43A few minutes later, the elegant afternoon tea for wealthy ladies had turned into a full-on dance party.
16:50Diane was laughing so hard her face turned red.
16:52One of the older women had been looking down on us at first.
16:56But eventually, she couldn't resist joining in.
16:59How do you do this move?
17:00Just follow me.
17:02Don't be scared.
17:03Pretend you're a blooming rose.
17:05I'm 80!
17:06So what?
17:07You can still bloom at 80!
17:09That evening, Diane was still humming when she got home.
17:12Victoria looked at her in shock.
17:14Mom, why are you in such a good mood today?
17:16Diane waved her hand.
17:18Nikki made me dance.
17:20Victoria frowned.
17:21She was fooling around.
17:22Diane's expression immediately turned serious.
17:25So what if she was?
17:26I had fun!
17:27She paused, then added.
17:29And from now on, anyone who says Nikki's hair looks like a feather duster is gonna have to answer to
17:34me.
17:35Julian stood at the top of the stairs without saying a word.
17:38But his eyes settled on me.
17:39For the first time, that cold look he always gave me, as if I were nothing but trouble, was gone.
17:46The Ashford family also had a little menace named Leo.
17:49He was eight, spoiled rotten, and hated by everyone except the people who doted on him.
17:54He thought he could get away with anything.
17:56After hearing some relatives call me low-class, he grabbed a few bottles of washable paint.
18:01When I walked past the stairs, he suddenly dumped all of it over my head.
18:04Red, green, blue.
18:08I turned into a human paint palette.
18:10Everyone in the room froze.
18:12Leo!
18:13She's a freaky party girl!
18:16I wiped the paint off my face and looked up at him.
18:18Looks good, huh?
18:19He grinned proudly.
18:21Yeah.
18:22Then come get one too.
18:23Before Leo could react, I rushed upstairs and grabbed him.
18:25Ten minutes later, he stood in front of the mirror with red, yellow, and blue curls all over his head.
18:30His eyes lit up.
18:31Cool?
18:32Cool.
18:32Badass?
18:33Badass!
18:34Perfect.
18:34Let's eat.
18:36Julian's uncle, Leon, had an old motorcycle.
18:39I heard it had belonged to their grandfather when he was young.
18:42It had broken down years ago and had been sitting in the garage ever since.
18:46No one dared touch it.
18:48One day, I went into the garage looking for some tools.
18:51The moment I saw the motorcycle, my eyes lit up.
18:54Whoa!
18:54This thing is cool!
18:56Don't touch it!
18:57I won't!
18:57I walked around it, looking it over.
19:00It's leaking oil and there's something wrong with the engine.
19:03This needs fixing.
19:05It can't be fixed.
19:07I've had several mechanics look at it.
19:09They all said it's only good for scrap.
19:12You can fix motorcycles too?
19:13She can probably do anything.
19:15Maybe she can even fly a plane.
19:18Does being a mechanic come with different levels now?
19:21If you can fix it, that's skill.
19:23If you can't, then you're just all talk.
19:25I spent the whole afternoon working in the garage,
19:29taking apart parts, replacing the fuel line,
19:32cleaning out the carbon buildup.
19:34When Julian came over, I was already halfway under the motorcycle,
19:37my face covered in grease.
19:38Come out.
19:39Wait, I'm missing one screw.
19:42Nikki.
19:43Quit bothering me.
19:44I'm listening to the engine.
19:50It says it still has some life left.
19:55You're hurt.
19:56At some point, I'd gotten a cut on the back of my hand.
19:58The blood had already dried.
20:00It's nothing.
20:01When I was a kid, I fell out of a tree and practically split my butt in half.
20:04Your butt is already in two hearts.
20:08What kind of thing is that to say?
20:10He ignored me and dragged me away to get the cut treated.
20:13That night, a roar suddenly came from the garage.
20:16The old motorcycle that had been silent for years had finally started.
20:20Leon stood there, his eyes turning red.
20:21He reached out and ran a hand over the handlebars, like he was touching a piece of the past.
20:26Dad used to say he'd give me this bike when I got married.
20:31Leon hasn't been this happy in years.
20:34Well then, problem solved.
20:38Don't push yourself like that again.
20:40What do you mean, push myself?
20:41I was just showing off my professional skills.
20:44Nikki.
20:46Fine.
20:47Why are you always so grumpy?
20:48He was silent for a moment.
20:50Then he suddenly reached out and wiped the grease from my cheek.
20:54His touch was gentle.
20:56I froze.
20:58So did he.
21:00Vivian came to the Ashford family estate on a Sunday afternoon.
21:03There happened to be an afternoon tea gathering at the estate,
21:06with plenty of relatives and a few close family friends.
21:09Vivian showed up in a designer suit, wearing a gentle smile.
21:12She was the woman the Ashford family had originally chosen for Julian.
21:15Beautiful.
21:16Smart.
21:17Smart.
21:17From a good family.
21:19Basically, the upgraded version of all those women from the first chapter.
21:22She carried a document folder and a tablet.
21:24She sat across from me, calmly sipping her tea.
21:28Miss Russo, I think you understand that Julian only brought you home to spite his family.
21:32I was eating pickles.
21:33Oh.
21:36You're not upset?
21:37Upset about what?
21:38You're just a tool he's using to get back at his family.
21:44Are you trying to steal my man or my job?
21:46What?
21:47Pick one.
21:49If you want Julian, go talk to him.
21:50If you want my job, we can talk about my salary.
21:52Don't dance around the point.
21:53It's giving me a headache.
21:55The smile on Vivian's face finally cracked.
21:58Julian happened to be coming downstairs and heard the last sentence.
22:01Vivian immediately put on a hurt expression.
22:04Julian, I was just trying to explain things to Miss Russo.
22:07There's nothing to explain.
22:09Vivian looked at him.
22:11George already said this marriage.
22:13I'm refusing.
22:14You're refusing?
22:16Julian, do you have any idea what this partnership between our families means?
22:20I know.
22:21Then why would you do all this for a-
22:25George's eyes swept over me.
22:27He didn't finish the sentence.
22:30But I knew what he meant.
22:32Julian's face darkened.
22:34It doesn't matter who it's for.
22:35You're just like your mother, letting your emotions cloud your judgment.
22:39The words hit like a needle.
22:41He stood there with his fists clenched tight.
22:43I saw the anger that had just flared in his eyes suddenly die down.
22:46Vivian suddenly placed the document folder on the table.
22:49Since Julian is so protective of Miss Russo, I think there are some things the Ashford family should see.
22:54She pulled out a printed photo and slid it toward me.
22:57The photo showed a young girl in a blue and white school uniform.
23:00She had fair skin, dark hair, and neat, delicate brows.
23:03Leo leaned over to take a look, then glanced up at me.
23:06Aunt Nikki, is that you?
23:07Doesn't look like me.
23:09I looked at the photo.
23:11It is.
23:13The living room fell silent.
23:16Vivian turned on her tablet.
23:18There was another photo on the screen.
23:19It was a registration photo from a domestic stuffing agency.
23:22The same face.
23:24Beside it was a short description.
23:25Nikki, college dropout, live in housekeeper.
23:28Three years ago, when I had just turned 18, I went to the agency to register for the first time.
23:33They asked me to take a photo.
23:35I was still wearing my school uniform.
23:37My hair was black, and I wasn't wearing anything else.
23:41Vivian smiled.
23:42Miss Russo, you keep saying you're not playing games, so why did you change your face just to get close
23:46to Julian?
23:47She's been wearing those fake buck teeth and drawing on fake freckles and thick eyebrows every day since she came
23:52to the Ashford family.
23:53Victoria's cup stopped halfway to her lips.
23:56Leon looked at me, his expression complicated.
23:59Diane's hearing aid gave off a faint electronic buzz.
24:01I set down my jar of pickles and wiped my hands.
24:04My heart sank.
24:06She deliberately made herself look ugly.
24:07She deliberately afraid of to be unharassed.
24:09She wanted the Ashford family to let their guard down.
24:12Miss Russo, were you or did you just want Julian to think there was something special about you?
24:16No one in the living room said a word.
24:19Vivian.
24:20Am I wrong?
24:22Julian, she lied to you.
24:24She lied to the whole Ashford family.
24:28Vivian, I wear the fake buck teeth because looking ugly makes me feel safer.
24:32I moved into the Ashford family's house because I needed the money.
24:36After saying that, I reached into my mouth and took them out.
24:39First, I wiped off the thick lines I'd drawn over my eyebrows.
24:43Then I slowly wiped away the fake freckles.
24:46Finally, I grabbed the fake buck teeth and gently pulled them out.
24:51I placed the fake teeth on the table and looked up.
24:54Leo's mouth fell open.
24:55Victoria finally put down her cup.
24:57Leon nearly spilled his tea.
24:59Diane slowly took off her glasses and studied my face for a long moment.
25:02Julian didn't move.
25:03He didn't look surprised either.
25:05He just sat there watching me, like he'd seen this face before.
25:09Vivian's smile froze.
25:12I lied to all of you, but it wasn't for the reasons Vivian thinks.
25:16I grew up with my grandparents.
25:18I dropped out of college and started working.
25:20I've done all kinds of jobs.
25:21Waiting tables, delivering food, fixing cars, working as a housekeeper.
25:24My first live-in housekeeping job lasted three months.
25:27The homeowner was in his 40s.
25:29He had a wife and kids.
25:30In my second month, I noticed him standing by the kitchen door watching me.
25:34It gave me chills.
25:35In my third month, his son, who was in his 20s, blocked my bedroom door,
25:40at 2 in the morning and asked for my number.
25:45That night, I sat behind my door with a mop and stayed there until morning.
25:49I quit the next day.
25:51After that, I switched agencies.
25:52On the day of my next interview, I bought these from a little store downstairs.
25:56$39.90, free shipping.
25:58They even threw in a box of freckle pens.
26:01After I put them on, I went to six interviews.
26:04I got all six jobs.
26:06At the best place I worked,
26:07the grandmother told me I looked so ugly,
26:10I looked trustworthy.
26:13When I came to the Ashford family's house,
26:15I went to the wrong door.
26:17The contract was full of words.
26:18I could barely read any of it.
26:20All I recognized were the numbers.
26:21I never planned to get close to Julian.
26:25From the first day I walked through that door,
26:27all I wanted was to do my job and make some money.
26:30When I finished, my throat felt dry.
26:33Diane suddenly spoke, her voice trembling a little.
26:36Nikki, then why did you dress yourself up like this?
26:39I thought for a moment before giving her the honest answer.
26:41Because looking safe matters more than looking pretty.
26:44The living room fell so quiet that I could hear the clock ticking.
26:47Diane's eyes slowly turned red.
26:50Julian stood up.
26:51He walked over to me and draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.
26:53Then he turned to Vivian, his voice low and deliberate.
26:57Whether she wears those fake feet or not, she's still Nika.
27:00I know why she made herself look ugly better than you do.
27:02Vivian opened her mouth.
27:04As for whether she's pretty or not?
27:06Julian stepped in front of me, blocking everyone's staring eyes.
27:09That's my business.
27:11None of yours.
27:13That night, Julian walked Vivian to the door.
27:16I waited for him outside.
27:18By the time he came back, it was already completely dark.
27:22Mr. Ashford?
27:25Hmm.
27:26Was she really mad?
27:28Hmm.
27:30Then, did you mean what you said earlier?
27:33Which part?
27:33You said whether I'm pretty or not has something to do with you.
27:36I said it had nothing to do with anyone else.
27:38Oh.
27:38Mr. Ashford, thanks for today.
27:40Nikki.
27:41Hmm?
27:42Do you want to make this permanent?
27:43Julian looked at me for a moment.
27:45Then, he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
27:48At first, I brought you into the Ashford family to deal with my family.
27:50But later, I wanted you to stay.
27:52Not because you could pretend to be my fiancé.
27:54And not because you knew how to take care of people.
27:56It's because you're Nikki.
27:58My eyes sting.
27:59I did not answer.
28:01I just kept walking.
28:02Guess you'll have to see how I do.
28:04Julian hurried after me.
28:05I reached out and took his hand.
28:07We walked forward together, slowly.
28:09Who would have thought?
28:10A live-in housekeeper ended up finding true love, too.
28:15The