They found themselves in a spacious, brightly lit room designed for the kitchen. The floor and walls were made of light gray stone, creating a cozy and natural atmosphere. The low ceiling, with its arched shape, was painted white. A massive wooden window, adorned with exquisite carvings, allowed the soft glow of light to fill every corner of the room.

The kitchen was adorned with antique authentic furniture, and in every detail, there was a sense of refinement. However, despite the antique style, modern appliances seamlessly blended into the overall design, creating a perfect combination of past and present. Every element of the room harmoniously merged into a unified work of art, and Maria couldn't help but be fascinated by the meticulousness and taste with which this project was created.

In complete silence, several elderly women bustled about in the kitchen. They were dressed in comfortable yet strict dark dresses, with pristine white aprons emphasizing their professionalism. Their gray hair was neatly arranged into hairstyles. Upon seeing the butler, they stopped and, bowing their heads, awaited further instructions. Walking deeper into the room, the butler stopped in front of them and announced, "Meet Maria. A temporary employee."

With these words, the women raised their eyes, looking at the young girl with curiosity. Maria responded to their gazes with a gentle smile, saying, "Nice to meet you." The women politely smiled back, and Sir Thomas waved his hand, allowing them to return to their duties.

They moved to the adjacent room, also bathed in light. There, on a large oak table, lay the contract. Approaching the table, the butler stood opposite the girl. "Have you familiarized yourself with the contract?"

"Yes," she replied. Although, after the incident at the bar, she had no energy to deal with reading boring papers, so, to be honest, yesterday she casually glanced through the responsibilities section, and that was it.

"If everything suits you, then from tomorrow, you will reside on the estate's grounds. On weekends, you can go home, except during events held here."

At that moment, Maria realized how superficially she had read the contract and missed the paragraph about residence. After a brief contemplation, she decided to clarify, "Can I go home today to get my things?"

He looked at her attentively and replied, "Yes, of course. Just make sure to return today no later than 9 PM."

"I understand."

"Then today, I will give you a tour of the part of the estate where you will work and the living quarters of the staff."

With these words, he extended the contract for her to sign. From this moment, there was no turning back. With a sharp exhale, Maria signed and handed the document to the man. Sneaking a glance at the signature, as if verifying its authenticity, the butler looked back at Maria and, with a courteous smile, said, "Congratulations, from this moment, you are a member of the Noxwell estate." With these words, he turned and headed towards the door.

"Noxwell..." the girl whispered, and at that moment, her eyes widened, realizing that she knew absolutely nothing about the place where she would work and its inhabitants. How naive she had been in the world of contracts and deals, signing an agreement without knowing the basics of the place where she would spend five days a week.

"Excuse me, sir, what is the name of the estate owner?" The butler abruptly stopped, turned around, stared at Maria intently, and in a stern voice said, "Confidentiality is one of the most important rules in this house. As you are only a temporary employee and will not be working directly with the estate owner, you should not know such things."

The girl was stunned by his words and tone.

"Well," she thought to herself, "Thirty days, and I'm free." She then followed the butler.