Chapter 1505

Maria hadn't expected Rhea's resentment to be so intense.

"Ree, I told you before. Regarding Anastasia, I'm only—"

"Only using her to get on her father's good side!" Rhea impatiently finished Maria's sentence. "I've heard that far too many times. Could you be a little more creative? Also, where the hell is my pen holder?"

Maria wiped away her tears, unwilling to further explain herself. "I have no idea."

"You're at home all day! How could you not know?" Rhea didn't believe her. "Did you go into my room and touch my things? Did you clean my room?"

Maria remained silent, feeling slightly guilty. Rhea had repeatedly forbidden her from entering her room, but Rhea was rarely home. Maria, believing her things would gather dust, had used a spare key to clean occasionally. However, she swore she hadn't seen a pen holder; she hadn't touched anything and certainly wouldn't have thrown anything away.

"I haven't seen any pen holder, I swear! I didn't throw anything of yours away either!"

Taking a deep breath, Maria said more calmly, "If the pen holder is so precious to you, tell me what it looks like. I'll have the maids look for it. If we can't find it, I'll have one custom-made, alright?"

"You don't understand anything!" Rhea glared at her, contempt evident in her eyes. "You uncultured people know nothing at all!"

Just as Maria was about to retort, Rhea continued, "Who else has been in my room recently? Who else has visited our house?"

The question stunned Maria. After a moment's thought, she replied, "No one special. I didn't invite any friends for tea. It's just your father, the maids, and no one—" She paused, remembering something. "Oh, right. Anastasia came by once, but she didn't go into your room. She just sat in the living room and left without even having a meal."

"Her?" Rhea frowned. "Why did she come here?"

"Nothing much. Anastasia said she just wanted to visit me because I've been busy with her illness lately…" Maria stopped abruptly, fearing Rhea's reaction if she continued.

"Still, I didn't do all that for nothing," Maria continued. "Your father should have settled his business dealings. Our family will be in a much better position in the future, a noble and wealthy family. We won't have to listen to your uncle anymore."

Rhea disregarded this. She was only concerned about Anastasia's visit. "When did she come? How long did she stay? How do you know she didn't go into my room? Were you with her the whole time?"

"Uhh…" Maria hesitated. "I wasn't with her the entire time, but there's no reason for her to take your pen holder. She doesn't lack anything. Plus, she's not in school anymore. Why would she need a pen holder? It couldn't possibly be her!"

"Did any other outsiders visit besides her?"

"No," Maria said firmly, shaking her head.

"Got it." Rhea left, hurrying out the door.

Seeing Rhea leave without another word, Maria ran after her. "Ree? Ree! Where are you going? Aren't you going to eat? Ree, talk to me!"