Professional Stand-in: Daily Salary of 10,000 US Dollars

"Ashley Gomez is so funny, acting all submissive, just like a maid!"

"Whatever you ask her to do, she does, always eager to please others, with no backbone at all."

"Maybe that's just how poor people are, born with a humble streak, especially those women in administrative HR roles, utterly lacking ambition, just aiming to snag a rich husband."

I heard she studied Prench; girls from low-income families who chose minor languages dreamed of marrying foreigners; she was a typical easy girl.

In a partially open room, my boyfriend Archer Flynn and his several friends were drinking, dressed in Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, and other designer brands.

The men looked dapper and thoughtful, the women exquisite, like a scene from a high-society movie, yet their words pierced my heart like swords.

I glanced down at my Uniqlo jacket and the pastries I was holding.

Half an hour ago, one of Archer's female friends wanted these specific pastries, and Archer had asked me to get them while the others casually asked me to pick up some other things.

I happily agreed.

It had been the pattern for the past year.

Every time I helped Archer and his friends, they would politely thank me, and I thought we were friends. But this was how they really saw me?

Yes, I admitted I dreamed of marrying a handsome, wealthy man who adored me. Because I was poor.

Every girl thought that way.

It was just a thought. What great sin had I committed?

What was so unforgivable that they would talk about me like this?

I bit my lip, awkwardly unsure whether to step inside. Peering through the door, I looked eagerly at Archer, hoping he would speak up for me.

"Other than her looks, Ashley's got nothing," Archer said flatly. "She's no match for Sienna."

Others admired, "Yes, Sienna Blair may be from humble origins, but she's pure and principled, never swayed by money or power. She truly has integrity."

In the spacious private room, several wealthy young men had a nostalgic expression, clearly fond of Sienna Blair.

"Ashley is just Sienna's stand-in," a girl said disdainfully.

I felt as if struck by lightning.

2

I pushed the door open and entered; they immediately ceased their chatter. As I handed them their things, everyone politely thanked me.

To my face, they were all polished and respectful, treating me as an equal, but behind my back, they reduced me to dust.

I had always wondered why the handsome and wealthy Archer fell for me at first sight and pursued me so aggressively. I felt insecure, so I instinctively tried my best to be nice to them.

Now, I realize this approach was a mistake; the more you try to please, the less respect you receive.

After the gathering, I drove Archer back to his place. The night was calm and serene, and I felt like nothing more than a free nanny, errand runner, and driver.

Why should I tolerate this?

Returning to his upscale apartment, Archer took off his coat, intending to shower, but I stopped him, holding up the shopping receipt. "Archer, the money for the cake and cigarettes we bought today, give it to me."

I wanted to grab the money and leave quickly to gather my thoughts.

Archer responded indifferently, "In a bit."

He brushed past me towards the bathroom. I blocked his path again, insisting, "Give it to me, it's late, I need to go home."

Archer raised an eyebrow in annoyance. "Can you stop being such a downer every time? Always asking for money, it's embarrassing and tacky!"

I was bewildered and shocked. He and his friends had me buy things, and I always paid upfront.

In his eyes, my asking for my own money back was tacky and shameful.

"It's just a few hundred dollars," he said sternly. "You really have the nerve to ask me for it?"

He pushed past me into the bathroom, and as I listened to the running water, I felt a chill.

After sitting for a while, I picked up my purse and left the apartment to return to my rental.

My mind was in turmoil.

After finally falling asleep, I had a dream. In the dream, I was the villainous supporting character in a Mary Sue novel. The heroine was Sienna, and I was her substitute after she left, scheming to marry into wealth.

Everyone loved Sienna, including the main and supporting male characters. Because I resembled Sienna, I received their attention and gradually grew ambitious, losing sight of who I was.

When Sienna returned, I tried every trick to sabotage her but ended up disfigured and disabled by her suitors.

"No!"

I woke from the nightmare, sitting up and gasping for air.

The dream felt so real. If I hadn't heard Archer and the others demeaning me today, I might have believed I'd really transformed and indulged in that sweet dream.

Now that I knew the plot, I decided to give up.