Chapter 1039
Chapter 1039:
Yelena fought to maintain her composure, but the tension in her clenched fists spoke louder than words ever could.
Maggie interjected, “You two are already engaged, but the wedding is still pending. I’ll visit Yelena’s family soon and settle on a date. After the wedding, you’ll have plenty of time for children, if that’s what you want p>
“They’re not animals,” Ellen huffed, pouting. “They’re not going to start popping out kids left and right p>
“Ellen, hold your tongue!” Maggie snapped, throwing her daughter a sharp look.
Ellen sealed her lips, pretending to zip them shut.
“Mrs. Barton, Miss Mitchell has arrived,” the maid announced, unaware of the earlier tension. Assuming Maggie and Monica still had a warm relationship, she ushered Monica in without a second thought.
Monica greeted Maggie as though nothing had happened in Eighfast, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Mrs. Barton, I was so worried when I heard something had happened to you. I rushed back early from my performance abroad just to make sure you were all right. It’s such a relief to see you’re safe p>
Maggie gave her a brief glance, her expression unreadable. “Thank you for your concern p>
Monica’s warm smile faltered, and the words she’d planned seemed to fall apart. She nervously twisted her hands together.
“I’m going to my room,” Yelena announced, her voice resolute as she turned to leave.
Yelena didn’t know Monica well and had no desire to pretend to be friendly. There was no need for a charade.
As Yelena walked away, Austin followed behind her, calling out, “Wait for me p>
Ellen, ever the one with a sharp sense of right and wrong, had once been cordial with Monica. But after hearing about Monica’s actions—deliberately ruining Maggie’s favorite perfume and then trying to frame a kitten—Ellen couldn’t look at her without a sense of disgust. Without sparing Monica another glance, Ellen turned and walked away. Monica’s smile grew tighter, more brittle, as she watched everyone leave.
Still, she forced the smile to stay in place as she addressed Maggie. “Mrs. Barton p>
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Maggie’s eyes darkened as she faced Monica, her words carrying the weight of reality. “Monica, you might have been overseas for so long that you’re unaware, but the Barton Group is in the middle of a management crisis—and your father is directly involved p>
Monica’s face drained of color. The polite, respectful Maggie she knew had just delivered a blow, revealing the harsh truth with a coldness that cut deep.
The sting of Maggie’s words seared through Monica, and she could feel the burning shame creeping up her neck.
Unable to bear the weight of the conversation any longer, Monica turned and fled in a hurry.
Maggie watched her retreating figure with a quiet shake of her head. “The truth always comes to light eventually. How does she still have the courage to show her face here p>
Later that night, the moon hid behind thick clouds, and the darkness seemed to swallow the world whole.
Aitana, leaning heavily on her cane, slowly made her way to the attic.
With a gentle push, she opened the attic door and stepped inside.
Her steps were deliberate as she moved toward an old, ornate cabinet. From her waist, she retrieved a key, unlocking a drawer with a soft click.
Inside, she found an aged, tarnished brocade box.
As Aitana opened the box, a cloud of dust rose up like a ghost from the past, making her cough uncontrollably.