After sending the message, Gloria went to the bathroom, where she took a long-needed shower, before changing into a pair of pajamas.
She didn't dare leave the bedroom but played with her phone on the bed.
An hour after her arrival, Iris came to her room with a late-night snack before leaving.
When Gloria saw the food, she couldn't help but remain suspicious.
Grumble.
Growl.
She didn't want to eat the food at all costs, but the grumbling of her stomach forced her otherwise. In the end, she gnashed her teeth and ate the food. In the middle of eating, her eyes lit up upon seeing that the food was so delicious that she couldn't help herself.
By the time she came to be, the plate was empty, and she was smacking her lips for more.
When she realized what she had done, she panicked.
"Don't be fooled! Don't be fooled!" she patted her cheeks, a bit disappointed at how easily she fell for the trick.
With her belly padded with food, Gloria checked her phone for any messages, but she was surprised to find nothing at all. Her parents didn't send her anything or ask what was going on.
'Could it be that they don't know about it?' she couldn't help but wonder, a frown on her face.
Her parents weren't tech-savvy. They liked living a secluded life, very peaceful, and at times, travel when it suits them.
Nonetheless, it was for the best that they knew nothing. She didn't want them to be worried about the matter.
As for Simon, he should be busy with work. Perhaps that's why he didn't reply to her messages.
Knowing that she wouldn't be getting any messages, Gloria surrendered to fate and finally went to bed, lamenting how hard it was going to be for her to have a good night's sleep.
She had a tendency to not sleep well when she wasn't in a familiar place. That was why she barely traveled. She gets affected severely. So, she was a bit worried.
However, as soon as her head hit the pillow, Gloria fell into a deep slumber. It was only in the morning when she woke up due to the biological clock that she realized that she had slept deeply. More than she had ever done when she was in the Willow clan.
What was happening?
That was a question that was on her mind until Iris brought the assistant that she was promised last night.
"Good morning, Ma'am," Iris greeted her respectfully the moment that Gloria opened the door.
Gloria didn't have any qualms with Iris. After all, the other never treated her badly but was very good and polite.
Gloria plastered a smile on her face as she returned the greeting while opening the door wide for the two to enter.
"Good morning. How are you?"
"I am well. Thank you for asking."
Gloria smiled at Iris, though her gaze shifted unconsciously to the young lady next to Iris.
As soon as the two entered the bedroom, Iris went straight to the point and introduced, "Ma'am, this is Cassy and she will be your assistant from now on. Whatever you want, she will help you with it."
When Gloria heard that, she looked closely at Cassy. She had these beautiful and clear eyes that just pulled her in. She looked clean and not someone complicated. She couldn't help but wonder why the Frost clan leader was giving her an assistant. Was their treatment this great?
Nonetheless, there was no problem with getting an assistant. After all, she knew nothing about the clan, and having someone familiar with her would make her life easier. Moreover, why hate a subordinate when the person with issues is the one sitting on the throne?
As Gloria observed Cassy without responding to Iris, Cassy was nervous. Her heart was pounding wildly in her rib cage. It so happens that among the many, she was one of the few people who knew the actual reason why Gloria was in the clan.
It was a great responsibility to be her assistant. She wanted the other to like her, trust her and, above all, use her well. Without the other party doing so, her worth would have to be assessed. And she didn't want to face such a situation. It was already an honor being in such a position. But as long as the intended boss didn't like her, then there was nothing for her to do.
Fortunately for her, Gloria didn't scrutinize her for a long time before a smile formed on her face and said, "Cassy, I hope that we will get along with each other during my stay!" her remark directed to Cassy.
Cassy smiled politely at Gloria, her eyes beaming, knowing that had passed another hurdle.
"Please take care of me!"
Gloria waved her hands nonchalantly at her, a smile on her face, saying, "It goes two ways!"
Gloria wasn't someone who was used to ordering people. She preferred living with others as equals or family. That was why in the Willow clan, she didn't even have a personal maid. She was used to doing most of the chores personally. It gave her a sense of satisfaction and belonging.
Now that she was in a different clan, she couldn't refuse the assistant. Moreover, Cassy seemed nice and the kind of person that she could get along with. Also, being by herself in such a large clan would make her feel lonely. So, it was better to have someone she could talk with.
She didn't think that she would be seeing the clan leader any time soon.
Iris heaved a sigh of relief after seeing the two getting along with each other. Her other job was done and now the rest was left to Cassy.
"It's time for breakfast, Ma'am. How about we head to the dining room?" Cassy suggested politely, already performing her duties.
Gloria looked at Cassy and smiled at her. She was getting a bit hungry. After all, it's been a while since she woke up. She didn't object but nodded in response.
Moments later, Gloria followed Cassy with Iris at the back.
After taking the elevator, they reached the floor where the dining room was. Unfortunately, it was her alone and no sign of the clan leader, which made her feel more at ease.
However, as soon as she saw the dining table, her eyes widened like a saucepan.
"Wow!" she couldn't help but exclaim in shock upon seeing the table full of food.
People were still eating like this, even when things were that bad.
Gloria had complicated emotions, to be honest. When she thought about how she was cooking a few dishes every day to save food and then here, the food was enough to feed more than twenty people. And yet it was just her who would be eating there.
Gloria looked at Cassy with inquiry on her face and Cassy was already ready to answer Gloria without her opening her mouth.
"Since we don't know her favorites, the kitchen prepared a bit of everything. Whatever will remain won't be thrown away. The servants can still eat," Cassy explained.
When Gloria heard that, she exhaled a sigh of relief. It sounded very plausible. She was just new here, so they probably shouldn't know what she likes to eat, right?
When she thought about that, she couldn't help but feel relieved. It meant that she wasn't investigated in detail, which provided her with a sense of security.
Moreover, hearing that the food won't be wasted, she found the clan leader a bit pleasing at the moment. It was bad to waste food. So, knowing that it wouldn't be wasted, Gloria was finally at ease.
When she sat down, her eyes were shining with interest. After all, when was the last time she ate such a sumptuous meal?
She couldn't even recall.
What she didn't know was that, as she was picking the dishes and tasting what she might like, there were many pairs of eyes who were watching attentively and jotting something down.
She was so focused on food that she was completely clueless about what was going on around her. That wall she had built had crumbled down because of food.
After all, deep down inside, she was a foodie. It's just that because of the clan's issues, Gloria, as the matriarch and a sensible child, didn't dare expose that side of hers.
But now, she couldn't help but set herself free. However, she also took into consideration the fact that she couldn't toy with food. So, she picked on one side, instead of mixing the food to make it unpalatable.
It took her a very long time to finish breakfast and by the time she was done, her belly was slightly bulging, which made her feel a bit embarrassed. Luckily, no one was paying attention to her.
After she was done eating, Cassy suggested that she take a walk around. That way, she can see the clan. After the walk, Cassy would bring her to the garden that she was supposed to be working on.
When she heard that, Gloria became very interested and hurriedly agreed.
As a result, Gloria left the mansion with Cassy in front of her as she showed her around while Ian and Iris continued to guard her earnestly.