Chapter 9 Juliet brushed her off . " It's fine . Mom always says Bennett's amazing at everything . I'm supposed to learn from him . " Before Aria could protest , Juliet hung up . Mentioning Bennett , Aria gently lowered her eyes . The expert consultation the man booked for her was scheduled for next Monday . That was the day after tomorrow . She hadn't decided yet whether to go . The house search went quickly , and by that evening , there was news . Juliet asked her to come see it tomorrow morning . The next day , after breakfast , Aria headed out . The house was in a residential area near Yealchinn University , a good location , easy to find . It was a one - bedroom , one - living - room layout , well - lit , with a big balcony , and the price was ridiculously cheap . Because the developer investing behind the house was the Rhodes family . Chapter 9 Aria pursed her lips - damn capitalists . If there's a bargain , only a jerk would let it slip . Aria quickly paid the deposit and rent , got the keys , and started cleaning . After a whole morning of work , Aria was exhausted and took a taxi home . With the house secured , next was moving stuff into the new place . Looking at the empty room , Aria wondered where to start . ' Let's start with moving the books ! " Aria carried a cardboard box down the stairs when Zoe approached , wanting to take the box from her . " Aria , are you throwing out trash ? You just need to tell me ; there's no need to do it yourself . " From the sofa , Chloe , eating fruit , looked over . " What's in there ? Looks heavy . Let Zoe throw it out ! " Aria shifted how she held the box . " These are books I don't need . I'm planning to give them to those who need them , so no trouble for Zoe ." These books were some notes she'd made and some professional books she didn't need for now , so she moved them first . Chapter 9 Watching Aria walk away , Zoe felt that the Miss was different than before , much calmer . The grievances the Miss suffered in this family - she saw it all and felt it in her heart . But she was just a housekeeper ; there was nothing she could do . She glanced at Chloe , leisurely sipping tea on the sofa , and sighed silently . Where there's something off , there's always a reason . If an outsider like her can sense it , how could the mother not care at all ? Treating her adopted daughter like treasure , her biological daughter like trash - sooner or later , they'd regret it . Aria didn't know about Zoe's sigh . She was busy putting the books from the box onto the bookshelf in her new place . The previous tenant just moved out . Many things she could use . Like a simple bookshelf , desk , and desk lamp - all left behind . The house was fully equipped with appliances , just missing a bit of homely warmth . Chapter 9 Probably the previous tenant rarely cooked . Aria had eaten a bowl of wontons outside before coming home , knowing that once Tessa got back , she'd start acting up using her illness . In the previous life , at this exact time , Tessa had been making a big fuss because of being sick . And the Whitmore family all sympathized with Tessa , taking her side and blaming her for being immature . In that past life , after a fight with Tessa , the Whitmore family coaxed Tessa to eat by sending her to her room to reflect and forbidding dinner . She was so hungry her stomach hurt . In the end , Zoe couldn't stand it and secretly made herself a plate of pasta . She had fought with Tessa all her life - and lost . So this time , Aria wasn't going to argue . If Tessa wanted their parents and brothers , she could have them . Since she decided to leave , what the Whitmore family did , who they favored - none of it mattered anymore . Chapter 9 When Aria returned home , everyone was opening gifts , their faces full of joy . But when they saw Aria come back , their expressions instantly changed . Aria tugged the corner of her mouth . As soon as she entered , everyone stopped smiling . See ? She was never welcome in this family . In their eyes , she was always the outsider . A young girl sat with her back to Aria , slender and fragile . Noticing everyone's gaze , she stood and looked back .