d been over a month since I was brought to the Benton villa . Aside from that first encounter at the orphanage , I hadn't seen Denisse at all . I did occasionally run into Derek at mealtimes , though . Each time , I'd flash him a sweet , genuine smile and say hello . But he never once responded . I didn't mind . I was far too busy to mind . Even though Denisse was rarely around , she had packed my schedule to the brim with lessons . I had etiquette classes , dance sessions , horseback riding , and a slew of other skills to master . It was summer vacation , so Denisse believed I had plenty of time to take all those classes . This book had been Swadded on your bookshelf . From dawn till dusk , I was immersed in learning , utterly exhausted but exhilarated . Even the household nanny , Kaley Finch , looked at me with pity when I came back from riding lessons covered in bruises . " Ms. Benton , maybe you should ask Mrs. Benton for a day off today ? " I slipped on my shoes and shook my head . " No need . " When she first brought me home , Denisse had laid it out clearly . " Benton children are born to be the best , even if you're just adopted . " " The Fletcher girl from next door doesn't have to work this hard . " Kaley sighed , handing me my backpack . " Things have been buzzing over there all morning ; I hear the whole family is jetting off for a vacation abroad during the break . " I knew Kaley was sticking up for me . To her , I was missing out on the carefree joys of childhood . I stood up , taking the bag with a smile . " Kaley , I'm not tired . This is what I want to learn . " To others , the Benton family might seem like a living hell . 0.0 % 15:08 Chapter 2 But for me , it was anything but . 288 Vouchers The Benton family was an old - money dynasty , with a depth of heritage and resources that far outstripped the nouveau riche Fletchers . Here , I could truly flourish and grow . Sure , the family dynamics were tangled , with the Bentons not fully accepting me , Denisse being critically aloof , and Derek distant and detached - but this place allowed me to become stronger . Lost in my thoughts , I was startled when a fluffy white kitten darted to my feet . Right on its heels came a playful , indignant girl's voice . " Muffin , you've got the wrong person ! Come back here ! " " Dewitt , help me get Muffin back , will you ? " " You little klutz . " I scooped up the kitten and straightened , only to meet the eyes of the approaching boy . It was Dewitt . The instant he saw me , his smile froze , quickly melting into outright disgust . " You actually followed us here ? You're like a curse that won't go away! " His sarcasm dripped with unbridled malice . " Don't think lurking around will make me soften up . Keep dreaming ! " " Eunice ?! " Heather's delighted exclamation cut him off . Now , she was Heather Fletcher . She skipped over in her princess dress , beaming . " This is great ! I never thought I'd see you again after leaving the or- phanage ! " Is that car waiting for you ? " She took the kitten from me , eyeing the vehicle parked not far behind with curiosity . Then , her face paled in an instant . " Oh no , you really got adopted by the Bentons next door ? " Before I could respond , my gaze caught on the key pendant dangling at her neckline , and I paused . Heather noticed and awkwardly covered it with her hand . I pretended not to see and nodded . " Yes , the Bentons . " " So now you're Eunice Benton , huh ? " I shot a glance at Dewitt , who looked thoroughly embarrassed by his misunderstanding . 27.3 % 15:08 Chapter 2 288 Vouchers " Yeah . " " Are the Bentons all super scary ? " I heard their son has some kind of illness - he's mute , right ? Is that true ? " She leaned in conspiratorially , pointing toward the Benton's villa , firing off questions . I frowned , feeling a spark of irritation . I opened my mouth to set her straight , but Heather didn't give me a chance . " Eunice , are you learning archery on horseback ? " She tilted her head , eyeing my riding outfit . " Uh , yeah , but I have to get going ... " I was brainstorming an excuse to slip away when Dewitt interrupted impatiently . " Heather , why waste time chatting with someone like her ? Let's go . " Heather let out an " oh " and stuck out her tongue playfully . " Don't mind him . Dewitt's usually so sweet . I don't know what's gotten into him today ... " Dewitt , wait up ! " She hiked up her skirt and hurried after him . I watched them for a moment , then turned and walked away . The wind carried snippets of their conversation back to me . " Dewitt , the Bentons are way too strict . Eunice is my age , but she's got lessons every single day . I saw all those bruis- es - she looks so pitiful . " " Hmph , what's the point of a girl learning all that ? Some people are just destined for hardship . " " Heather , all you need to do in this life is be your pretty little princess self . A Fletcher girl doesn't have to suffer like that . " Yeah , Mom , Dad , and my brother are the absolute best ! " Hearing their words , I let out a cold , bitter laugh , thinking to myself , " Oh , really ? " " So , the Fletchers saw hard work as nothing but suffering . I shook my head . In our previous life , Dewitt's parents had indeed showered me with affection . But they never supported me in learning any real skills . 58.2 % 15:08 Chapter 2 288 Nouchers When I wanted to try horseback archery , they shot it down . " How could you ? What if you fall and scar yourself ? How will you ever find a husband then ? " After being stalked once , I asked to learn self - defense , but they refused . " Girls from prestigious families don't need that . The Fletchers have bodyguards , so no one would dare touch you . " Later , when I expressed interest in business and finance , they dismissed it again . " Why bother with all that ? Your brother can handle the family affairs just fine . " Their so - called boundless love had actually molded me into a helpless dependent , incapable of standing on my own . Denisse , on the other hand , would tell me , " Bentons should try their hand at everything - and fight for what they want . " 87.2 %