Maria stiffened at the sight of Anastasia, snapping, "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Anastasia greeted her aunt and entered, surveying the chaotic scene. She'd heard about the events, but the reality was far worse than she'd imagined. "Are you here to laugh at me?" Maria scoffed, the question laced with bitterness.

"Why would I do that, Aunt Maria?" Anastasia sighed gently. "I'm here to see how you're doing. Don't worry; Uncle Fabian isn't involved in the most serious charges. My father will see what he can do to help."

Maria's demeanor shifted. "Your father came back?" she exclaimed, then corrected herself, "I mean, is he home now?"

"He's not home now, but he has returned safely. Don't worry," Anastasia reassured her meaningfully.

Maria's gaze wavered. "Of course, I'm not worried. Your father is a capable man, isn't he? I'm more concerned about your uncle. His parents died when he was young, and your mother raised him."

"I thought your father would look after Fabian, but…" Maria's voice cracked, tears welling. "Forget it. Let's not talk about the past. I'm worried about him now. I tried visiting, but the police refused, saying the case is still under investigation."

"They're wrong; Fabian hasn't committed any crimes!" Maria insisted.

"The court will decide that. However, you must know why he was arrested, right?" Anastasia said kindly, guiding Maria to the sofa.

Maria hesitated, but under Anastasia's steady gaze, she sat. Her distress, however, remained evident. "What do you mean, Tasia? Are you saying I told him to do something illegal? The vaccine development center is a national project. What crime has Fabian committed, and why couldn't your father intervene? After all, Fabian is your mother's only brother," Maria emphasized, as she often did.

Anastasia nodded. "I know you wouldn't do anything illegal, Aunt Maria. If you did, someone must have forced you."

"Yes, that's right!" Maria agreed, then startled, widened her eyes. "No! What the hell do you mean by that? I've never done anything illegal!"

"There's no one else here, Aunt Maria," Anastasia murmured, glancing around. "You know what Rhea did, don't you?"

A flicker of guilt crossed Maria's face. Her eyes darted away. "Rhea… has been dead for a long time. Why mention her?"