Chapter 1504

The following morning, Maria freshened up, ate breakfast, and applied her makeup. She was about to leave for a shopping trip with friends—a much-needed outing after a busy period tending to Anastasia's affairs. The prospect of this had beckoned for a long time, and they had finally arranged to meet.

“I’m going to have such a good time today!” With that thought, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

Just as she was leaving, she heard hurried footsteps. Someone quickly entered the house. Joy flooded Maria’s face as she recognized the newcomer.

“Ree! You’re back!”

“Yeah,” Rhea replied, immediately ascending the stairs.

“Ree, you’re not returning to the institute, are you? Will you be staying home longer this time?” Maria asked, already accustomed to Rhea’s abruptness. She followed her daughter upstairs. Rhea didn’t respond, continuing her quick ascent.

“I saw the news. Something happened to a professor at your institute, right? Will you continue the experiment, or will it stop? You should use this chance to rest. Look at you—you’ve lost weight again!” Maria continued, unfazed by Rhea’s silence.

Reaching Rhea’s room, Rhea rushed to her desk. Her expression changed as her gaze swept across the surface.

“Where’s my pen holder?”

“What was that?” Maria blinked, confused.

“My pen holder! The one I put on my desk!” Rhea roared, slapping the desk. Her expression was terrifying.

Maria was startled by her daughter’s outburst. “I-I don’t know,” she stammered.

“How could you not know?” Rhea slammed her palm on the desk again, her frustration evident. She searched frantically—the table, cabinets, drawers, even the bookshelves—her room quickly becoming a mess.

“I placed it here! How could it be missing? Did you come into my room when I wasn’t around? Did you touch my things?” Rhea’s voice rose to a shriek.

Maria was frightened. She’d never seen this side of Rhea. While Rhea had always been aloof and distant, she’d never displayed such raw rage.

“N-No! I didn’t! Since you told me not to, I wouldn’t dare touch your things,” Maria replied. After a pause, she added softly, “I have no idea what pen holder you’re talking about. Tell me about it. Is it expensive? I’ll buy you one even more expensive. Cheer up, Ree!”

“Buy?!” Rhea, still unable to locate the pen holder, looked up and sneered. “Do you think you can buy everything in this world with your stupid money?”

Maria’s eyes filled with tears. “Ree, I know you’re upset and think I’m biased, but I’ve explained it to you many times. It’s not what you think. You hate how your father and I prioritize money, but you’ve benefited from it! Without our ‘stupid money,’ could you have studied abroad? Could you have found such a good job? Could you be living so comfortably?”

Rhea scoffed. “What? Are you trying to say I’m indebted to you, and I’ve spent too much of your money? Fine! Let’s settle the accounts, and I’ll pay you back in full! You guys have that fat daughter anyway. You don’t need me!”

Maria was stunned by her daughter’s words.