Maria did not expect Rhea to resent them so much. “Ree, I told you this before. Toward Anastasia, I’m only…”“Only using her to get on her father’s good side!” Rhea impatiently completed Maria’s sentence. “I’ve heard that way too many times. Could you be more creative? Also, where the f*ck is my pen holder?”“I…” Maria wiped her tears, not wanting to waste her time explaining herself anymore. “I have no idea.”“You’re at home all day! How could you not know?” Rhea did not believe Maria’s words. “Did you come into my room and touch my things? Did you clean my room?”Maria stayed silent, slightly guilty over this. Rhea had repeatedly told her mother not to enter her room, but she was not home most of the time. Maria thought that her things would get dusty if she just let them be, so she would use her spare key to enter Rhea’s room and clean it up from time to time.However, she could swear she had not seen any pen holder. She did not touch any of Rhea’s things and would not have the
Rhea did not reply to her mother and just walked away quickly in big steps, causing her to almost run into Fabian, who had just returned home. “Why are you being so impetuous?” Fabian had a dark expression, obviously in a foul mood. “Rhea! Stop right there!”Rhea just threw him a glance, but she continued walking in the direction of the door. “Rhea! Are you deaf? Can’t you hear that I’m talking to you? Where are your f*cking manners?” Fabian was furious and was about to pull Rhea back, but Maria managed to stop him first. “Hey, calm down. What’s with the both of you today? You can only meet each other a few times a year! Why can’t the both of you behave nicely?” “It’s your fault for spoiling her!” Fabian rebuked. Seeing that Rhea had already entered her car and he could not chase after her anymore, he just retracted his hand angrily as he scolded, “All of them are ungrateful punks!”Maria was stunned. “Who are you calling ungrateful punks?”“Your daughter, that b*tch Anastas
“If he isn’t getting anything from the Russells, why is he treating them so nicely? Why can’t he help me when I’m his brother-in-law? We’re his family, while the Russells aren’t! I bet he’s doing it for money! I just don’t know how they made their deal. I knew this bastard wasn't the upright man he appeared to be, and he'd kept it hidden for a long time."The more he said, the angrier he became until he abruptly jumped to his feet. “I need to talk to him.”As he was about to leave, he saw Maria chasing after him. She was trying to stop him. “What? Don’t stop me now! No matter what you do today, I’m going to find him! He must explain things to me clearly! He went overboard this time!”“Why would I stop you? I’m coming with you!” Maria picked up her handbag in a hurry as she said, “You’re right! We must get an explanation from him! We’ve been so nice to his family over the years and even treated his daughter like our own.“Ree is jealous and grew distant from me because of that, bu
“Ree, what are you doing here?” Maria was surprised and jogged over to her. Rhea frowned. “Why are you guys here?”“I have something to do. What about you?” Fabian cleared his throat and asked.“Likewise!” Rhea spoke without looking back as her gaze landed on Anastasia. “Tell me. Where is my pen holder?”Anastasia spread her palms, looking helpless. “Rhea, I didn’t take your pen holder, I swear! I don’t even know what it looks like. Plus, why would I take your pen holder?”“God knows why! Who else could it be other than you? My mom said you’re the only outsider who came to our house in the last two days!” Rhea accused her coldly.Maria could only smile awkwardly at the sudden mention of her name. “Tasia, Ree lost her pen holder, and it’s important to her. There hasn't been anyone else by the house recently. I don’t think that you took it either, but could it be possible that you accidentally brought it home?”That was a great play with words. If Maria had asked Anastasia, “Did
While Maria complimented Anastasia, she wanted to take credit for herself, insinuating that Anastasia would not have lost this much weight and looked much healthier without her help.Anyhow, she believed Cameron owed them a big favor. They must get to the end of things with him regarding this matter.“If she had drunk it, she wouldn’t look like this now.” Rhea sneered and coldly glanced at Anastasia.Anastasia shook Maria’s hand off, stood up straight, and walked toward Rhea as she said, “What should I look like then? How do you know what medications the miracle doctor prescribed to me? How do you know their effects? Rhea, do you understand medicines too?”Maria was puzzled and hurried to explain, “Ree was a medical student. Have you forgotten…”“Rhea learned about modern medicine,” Anastasia interrupted, “I didn’t know she learned about medicinal herbs as well and being this good at it?”“You’re ignorant and haven’t performed well in your studies. What would you know?” Rhea said
“Do you know your dad will treat you differently once you have a stepmother? No matter how nice he was to you before, he would give all his love and attention to your stepmother once they married!”Maria continued earnestly, “Plus, God knows what that woman truly wants. She might just be interested in your dad’s wealth and influence. If you are not careful, you might be miserable in the future!”“Exactly!” Fabian agreed. “Also, don’t you feel sorry for your late mother when you’re ignorant toward these things?”“My mom passed away over twenty years ago. I’m sure she wants my daddy to be happy as well. Also…” Anastasia paused as she looked at Fabian and Maria. “Uncle Fabian and Aunt Maria, I don’t think you two should get too involved in my daddy’s personal affairs. If the two of you have any objections, you should tell him straight up instead of coming to me.”“This…”The couple exchanged glances, and Maria tugged Anastasia’s arm soon after. “Silly girl, your mom is no longer arou
“Tasia!” Cameron took two quick steps forward, threw his briefcase onto the sofa, and crouched to look at his daughter in a panic.Anastasia’s half-opened eyes gazed at her father as blood streaked down her scraped forehead. “Dad…”“Don’t say a word. I’ll send you to the hospital!” Cameron felt sorry for her and looked anxious.“Rhea…” Anastasia turned her head toward the stairs and pointed in the woman’s direction.Rhea wanted to go upstairs but had stopped hearing Camron’s voice. She stood there and felt awkward being pointed at by Anastasia.Following the direction the finger was pointing, Cameron saw his niece, whom he had not met for years.Rhea met his gaze, and her lips moved. “Uncle.”“Hmph!” Cameron did not answer and grunted, then bent over and tried to hold his daughter up. However, Anastasia was too heavy, and he could not lift her. “Give me a hand!” he shouted angrily.“Dad, I’m all right!” Anastasia struggled to get up. Besides her aching head and body, she did no
At the hospital, Anastasia had just been bandaged. She looked at her father, who was busy taking care of her, and said, “Dad, I’m okay, I truly am.”Sitting down by the bed, Cameron gazed at her tenderly. “I know.”“You’re still-"“You need to rest.” Cameron said, “Just rest well and stop worrying. I’ll take care of everything.”“Dad…” Moving her lips, she wanted to say something, then shifted her gaze thoughtfully and decided against it. “What’s the matter?” Cameron asked gently. At this very moment, he was just an amiable father and not the strict and fearsome Secretary Rollins.“Nothing.” She smiled and said, “Sorry, I made you worry.”“Silly girl, there’s nothing to apologize for.” He pulled her blanket slightly upward. Anastasia was fine and did not need to be hospitalized, but Cameron insisted she lay down for a while so the doctor could make further observations. The doctor did not dare to say no to him and could only agree. “Dad, I’ve made you worry my entire life