Chapter 1423

Lily hadn't discovered when Galen learned to pick locks, but she knew her son wasn't lying. He was too young to even consider such a thing, and he didn't need to.

Rhea Moore returned from the laboratory at 5:00 a.m. "Daisy, oh, Daisy, just what are you up to?" she muttered, opening the front door and ascending the stairs. The house was quiet, save for the maids. Reaching the second floor, she was surprised to encounter Maria, who had awakened hungry and left her room for a snack.

"Ree?" Maria asked.

Rhea turned, a slight frown furrowing her brow. Maria, rubbing her eyes, recognized her and beamed.

"Ree, you're home! Why didn't you tell me? You're back so late!" Maria guessed her mother's late return from her attire. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she placed a hand on Rhea's arm, reaching for her face. "Poor thing. Look at your dark circles."

Rhea irritably ducked her head, avoiding her mother's touch. "I'm going to bed," she said, implicitly requesting not to be disturbed.

"Go sleep. Have a nice long sleep, okay? I'll tell the others not to bother you," Maria replied, nodding repeatedly.

"Okay," Rhea murmured, nodding slightly before entering her room.

Maria sighed in relief, her earlier sleepiness vanished. With her beloved daughter home, she decided to forgo her outing and remain to keep her company.

When Rhea was young, Maria had focused her attention on Anastasia. Fabian's business hadn't been as prosperous then, and to curry favor with the influential Cameron, they’d prioritized flattering his daughter. However, as Rhea grew, Maria gradually realized their distance. Every attempt at touch or a hug was met with Rhea's quiet withdrawal, as if intimacy was unwelcome or unfamiliar. Now, any efforts at bonding were thwarted by Rhea's constant work. The busier she became, the colder she seemed.

Maria worried this lifestyle would hinder Rhea's chances of a good marriage. "Look at Lily Russell," she mused. "She's a nobody, less capable than my darling daughter, yet she married Alexander. Unmarried, Alexander, with his impeccable background, looks, and abilities, would be the perfect son-in-law. Still, what a pity!!!" A rumbling stomach reminded her of her hunger, and she went downstairs to eat.

Rhea entered her room, walking to her desk to remove her coat. Unzipping an inner pocket, she carefully extracted a small wooden case.