Chapter 3

I'd translated your chapter into natural, emotionally engaging English suitable for GoodNovel, while preserving the original story and tone.

Serene had just finished taking a bath. It was already seven in the morning, and she was supposed to be getting ready for school.

She changed into her school uniform, but she had no intention of attending class that day.

While her father cried on her shoulder earlier, she had already made up her mind.

She wouldn't allow him to go to prison.

No matter what happened, she couldn't bear to watch him suffer when there was still something she could do to save him.

As soon as she stepped out of her room, she found her mother waiting in the living room. The moment their eyes met, her mother stood and forced a smile, though the sadness in her eyes was impossible to hide.

She handed Serene two hundred pesos.

Serene knew that money had been saved little by little through countless sacrifices.

Accepting it, she embraced her mother tightly, pouring all her love into the hug.

She didn't want her mother to worry any more than she already had.

A few moments later, she said goodbye and quietly left the house.

She didn't even have breakfast because she was in such a hurry.

The moment she stepped outside, she noticed their neighbors staring at her.

Word had obviously spread about what had happened.

Their neighborhood was full of people who loved gossip.

She wasn't angry that they were talking about her family, but the way they looked at her—as if they had never made mistakes themselves—made her uncomfortable.

She wasn't trying to justify what her father had done.

She only wished people wouldn't be so quick to judge.

Everyone had their own reasons for doing the things they did.

Some of the women even made sure she could hear their conversation.

"That's what happens when their daughter thinks she's too good for everyone," one of them sneered. "Her father probably did it because of her."

Serene's hands slowly clenched into fists.

The women burst into laughter, making her irritation grow even stronger.

It was still early in the morning, yet all they could do was spread rumors and tear other people down.

She simply closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Arguing with people like them would only ruin her day.

Besides, there was nothing to gain from confronting them.

Without another word, she continued walking with her head lowered.

She didn't bother looking around because she knew every pair of eyes that passed her was secretly watching and whispering about her.

She had already grown used to it.

That was simply how people in their town behaved.

When she reached the main road, she immediately hailed a tricycle.

"Where to, Miss?" the driver asked.

"Rancho Del Fuego, please."

Her decision was final.

She believed there was still something she could do before it was too late.

Rancho Del Fuego was quite far from their village, nearly five hundred meters away.

She had also heard countless stories about the owner—that he was a cold and intimidating man.

From the road, she could only see the enormous fences surrounding the property.

She had no idea just how vast the ranch truly was.

Serene let out a quiet sigh.

Her parents would surely be shocked when they learned what she had done.

They might even get angry.

But she'd rather bear their anger than watch her father suffer inside a prison cell.

He was already old.

Years of hard labor had weakened his body.

She had worked so hard in school because she wanted to repay everything her parents had sacrificed for her.

She dreamed of the day they would no longer have to work and could finally live peacefully.

But after everything that had happened...

Finishing college now seemed impossible.

If working at the ranch was the only way to save her father, then she would do it.

She didn't even know what kind of work awaited her there.

Still, she hoped they would at least pay her wages so she could continue supporting her parents.

Not long after, the tricycle stopped in front of the massive entrance to Rancho Del Fuego.

Above the arched gate hung an enormous iron sign bearing the ranch's name.

There were no guards in sight, and one side of the gate stood open.

However, she immediately noticed two surveillance cameras mounted on each side.

She was certain they were working.

Even so, she had no ill intentions.

She had only come to negotiate for her father's sake.

She wasn't even sure whether they would still accept her after the way she had behaved earlier that morning.

Embarrassment washed over her.

But there was nothing she could do now except swallow her pride.

Her father had committed a mistake.

And she had to face the consequences with him.

She was about to step through the gate when a loud car horn suddenly blared behind her.

Startled, she almost jumped.

She quietly cursed under her breath.

She wasn't even standing in the middle of the road.

Why had they honked at her like that?

Slowly, she turned around.

A sleek black SUV had stopped just behind her.

It looked as though it had intentionally waited for her.

With an annoyed expression, she marched toward the vehicle, prepared to question whoever was inside.

But before she could say a word, the tinted window rolled down.

Her eyes widened.

It was the elderly gentleman from earlier.

The moment she saw his face, she immediately remembered how rudely she had spoken to him at their house.

Her lips snapped shut.

Embarrassment overwhelmed her.

No matter how ashamed she felt, she knew she had to apologize.

"What are you doing here, hija?" he asked gently.

Serene blinked in surprise.

His voice carried no anger.

No resentment.

Nothing like she had expected.

He was nothing like the arrogant rich people she had imagined.

She suddenly wished the ground would swallow her whole.

He had been kind...

And she had treated him so disrespectfully.

She lowered her head.

"I... I came to apologize for how I behaved this morning."

She couldn't even bring herself to look him in the eye.

After a moment, she felt him gently hold her hand.

"It's only natural for a child to protect her parents," he said with a warm smile.

His kindness made her eyes sting with tears.

"I suppose you already know the truth. Is that why you're here?"

She silently nodded, biting her lower lip to stop herself from crying.

"I'm sorry too, hija," he continued softly.

"But you know your father made a serious mistake."

She immediately raised her head and held both of his hands.

"I know my father was wrong," she said through trembling sobs. "But I'm willing to accept the condition you offered earlier... Please... just don't send my father to prison."

The tears she had been holding back finally streamed down her cheeks.

She would do anything...

Anything...

As long as her father remained free.

The old man fell silent, carefully studying her face.

Perhaps he pitied her.

Perhaps he was considering her plea.

After a long pause, he removed his reading glasses and sighed.

"Alright."

His voice was calm.

"Get in the car. We'll discuss everything at the house."

He gently helped her into the SUV.

Without hesitation, Serene climbed inside.

She had already made her decision.

There was no turning back now.

She quietly wiped away her tears and sat in the front passenger seat while the elderly man occupied the back.

The rest of the ride passed in complete silence.

She closed her eyes and silently prayed that nothing bad would happen.

Several minutes later, the vehicle stopped in front of a large ancestral house.

Stepping out, she looked around in awe.

The house was old but beautifully preserved.

Its architecture reflected the elegance of a bygone era, as though time itself had stood still.

The elderly man soon joined her.

She still didn't know his name, nor whether he was truly the owner of Rancho Del Fuego.

"Come inside, hija," he said kindly before leading the way.

She quietly followed, admiring the surroundings.

The interior matched the exterior perfectly.

Every piece of furniture was crafted from polished narra wood, giving the house a timeless charm.

When they reached the spacious living room, he gestured for her to sit.

"I'll call my wife."

He disappeared upstairs, leaving Serene alone.

Only then did she realize...

He truly was the owner of the ranch.

A few moments later, footsteps echoed across the wooden floor upstairs.

Soon, the elderly man returned with a graceful woman who looked much younger than him.

The woman smiled warmly the moment she saw Serene.

"So you're the young lady my husband told me about," she said gently.

"Please, have a seat."

They settled across from her.

"We won't waste your time, hija," the woman continued.

"In exchange for dropping all charges against your father..."

She looked directly into Serene's eyes.

"We want you to personally take care of our youngest son."

"You'll become his personal attendant."

Serene fell silent.

She didn't know what to think.

"Will you accept?" the woman asked.

There was no time left to hesitate.

No other choice remained.

"Yes," Serene answered softly, though her voice trembled with nervousness.

The woman immediately stood and walked over to her.

Taking Serene's hands in hers, she smiled warmly.

"It won't be easy," she admitted.

"But I hope you'll be patient with him."

Then, to Serene's surprise...

She pulled her into a gentle embrace.