Many thoughts floated through his mind: “We’re both born of the same parents, so why is Miss Clark naturally beautiful, while Henry Clark looks exactly like Zhu Bajie? It’s baffling. Could it be that…”

“One is a wealthy young lady, the other a menial servant—wonder if there’s any chance. No, who am I, Adam Sullivan? A renowned art thief—how could I not be worthy of her? Fine, I’ll go be a study attendant. I’ll get into the inner residence first, then we’ll see.”

Chapter Three: The Little Maid Is Interesting

In a couple of days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival, and everyone at the Duke of Qi’s residence was so busy their feet barely touched the ground. Hanging lanterns, preparing festival pastries, cleaning the courtyards, scrubbing the furniture—there was always plenty to do.

Adam Sullivan and Sam Walker were assigned to clean the furniture. Today, Young Master Clark had gone out early in the morning, so the two of them carried buckets into Young Master Clark’s bedroom—one wiped the floor, the other cleaned the tables and chairs, chatting idly as they worked.

Sam Walker was the most well-informed in the residence, and he shared all the latest gossip with Adam Sullivan. Adam Sullivan, preoccupied with the study attendant position, asked, “Has the candidate for study attendant been decided yet?”

Sam Walker replied, “Almost. The steward of the inner residence recommended his distant nephew. Madam said she’d have a look, so we’ll probably know in a day or two. I advise you, Brother Sullivan, to be realistic. We’re just servants here, not like those people.”

But Adam Sullivan was scheming in his heart—he was determined to get this study attendant position.

That’s just how Adam Sullivan was: either don’t do it, or do it the best. Once he made up his mind, he’d make it happen, no matter what.

“San’er, you’re just afraid you’ll have no one to keep you company if I get into the inner residence.” Adam Sullivan was naturally optimistic. Even though he knew the competition for the position would be fierce, he wasn’t worried at all.

Sam Walker said, “Who says so? If you leave, I’ll have a whole room to myself—how comfortable is that?”

“Really?” Adam Sullivan smiled, absentmindedly wiping the leg of a stool with his rag. “Alone in an empty room—living like a widow isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Sam Walker laughed as well.

Just then, a maid walked in, her face stern. “Who’s living like a widow?”

This maid had an oval face, her skin slightly plump and smooth as goose fat, with dark brows and big eyes—she looked quite friendly. She was the very Ethan that Sam Walker had mentioned last night.

Seeing Ethan, Sam Walker was so scared he didn’t dare say another word, scrubbing the floor even harder with his rag. But Adam Sullivan showed not a trace of fear, smiling as he said, “Of course not Miss Ethan.”

Ethan asked angrily, “How do you know my name?”

“Oops, I’ve slipped up.” Adam Sullivan glanced at Sam Walker, considering whether to rat him out. Last time Ethan passed by from the outer residence, it was this guy who pointed her out to him. Otherwise, how could a maid and a servant—one in the inner residence, one in the outer courtyard—know each other’s names?

“Looks like I have no choice but to sell you out.” Adam Sullivan looked mischievously at Sam Walker, secretly amused, just about to ‘confess.’

But Ethan lost interest in pursuing the matter, giving Adam Sullivan a deep look. “You, come with me to the outer courtyard to move Madam’s potted plants.”

Adam Sullivan shook his head. “The steward said today, he and I are only responsible for cleaning. Miss Ethan, you’d better find someone else.”

“I said you’re coming!” Ethan stomped her foot. No other servant in the residence dared talk to her like this.

“Why does Miss Ethan insist on me? Could it be… you’ve taken a liking to me, this humble servant?” Adam Sullivan squinted, eyeing Ethan with a mischievous glint.

This kind of gaze would be called ‘bedroom eyes’ in modern times; in this era, it could barely be called ‘flirting with the eyes.’ Ethan was flustered by Adam Sullivan’s unabashed stare. After all, she was a young woman—no matter how fierce, she couldn’t keep it up.

“Ahem… Miss Ethan, it’s impossible between us.” Adam Sullivan put down his rag and stood up straight, looking every bit the elegant young man. He fixed his gaze on Ethan, stepping closer as he spoke.

“What—what’s impossible?” A trace of confusion flashed in Ethan’s bright eyes.

“That… well, that… you know what I mean?”

“What? I don’t know.” Ethan suddenly realized the servant in front of her was surprisingly bold. In front of Madam’s personal maid, he actually moved in so close she could almost feel his breath.

“What is it? What do you mean, ‘you know’? When did a lecher sneak into the residence? Should I call for help? Maybe not—this guy is actually quite good-looking. Why is he so shameless?”

Ethan felt her face burning, her mind racing with countless thoughts.

“Hey, if you come any closer, I’ll shout.”

Adam Sullivan took another step, his boot touching Ethan’s embroidered shoe. “Miss Ethan, you still don’t get it?”

“I don’t!” Ethan’s voice was barely a whisper.

Adam Sullivan gave a wry smile. “It’s just that he and I…” He pointed at the dumbfounded Sam Walker. “It’s impossible… impossible for us to go move any potted plants with Miss Ethan. Now you understand, right?”

Dealing with a little maid like this was a piece of cake for Adam Sullivan—he had Ethan completely flustered in no time.