"Miss Mina likes the sea. She got accepted to a university in Miraport. Since Miraport is quite far from home, the old madam was worried, so she asked me to go with Miss Mina to Miraport to take care of her daily needs." "It was also in Miraport that Miss Mina met Hayden Rhodes and Ronia Ackerly, who were also attending the university." At this point, Mrs. Wei frowned, and her expression turned displeased. Evidently, because of the anger these two people caused. Ava Sterling’s face also turned grim, her gaze deepened. However, she didn’t speak, waiting for Mrs. Wei to continue. Mrs. Wei didn’t pause long before she continued, "Miss Mina first met Ronia. Ronia was also studying at the university in Miraport, the same one as Miss Mina. That day, Ronia was being bullied, and it was Miss Mina who saved her. It was through that incident that they got to know each other." "Ronia has a gentle disposition. Although not as beautiful as Miss Mina, she was still outstanding among ordinary girls." "At that time, Ronia was alone in a small alley, being cornered by people. Miss Mina saw this and managed to save her. After rescuing Ronia, Miss Mina learned that Ronia attended the same school as her, and so they became friends." "Ronia was very good at disguising herself. She appeared kind and polite, even respectful to someone like me, a servant, treating me like a friend rather than a mere subordinate." "She treated me the same as Miss Mina did, if not better." "She even cooked and baked, quite skilled in making meals and snacks. Miss Mina loved the food she made, and so did I." "At the time, neither Miss Mina nor I realized the kind of intentions she had, nor did we see through her cunning nature." "Initially, I was wary of Ronia, treating her politely from a distance. But as she grew closer to Miss Mina and we saw each other more often, frequenting each other’s company, we all became familiar, and over time, I let my guard down with her." "Often, Ronia would seize moments when Miss Mina wasn’t around or come to the kitchen to help and subtly inquire about Miss Mina’s family and various matters. She was clever and never asked directly, always engaging in casual conversation that made me inadvertently divulge details about Miss Mina and The Vaughn Family." "Perhaps it was my age or experience, but back then, I didn’t realize Ronia was probing for information. I simply thought she was a considerate girl." "She would sympathize with me, praise me, help me, and say things that made me feel at ease, gaining my trust." "At the time, I trusted her greatly, just as I trusted Miss Mina. And Miss Mina trusted her too, treating her exceptionally well." "The Ackerly Family was modest, without the substantial foundation of The Vaughn Family, incomparable to them. I didn’t initially know Ronia’s family background until later, when Miss Mina told me Ronia’s family wasn’t well-off and that she was an illegitimate child. Miss Mina said that Ronia felt ashamed of this and asked me not to mention her parents in front of her to avoid upsetting her." "When I first heard from Miss Mina that Ronia was an illegitimate child, I was quite shocked. Ronia didn’t seem like an illegitimate child at all. I only thought her family background wasn’t as good as Miss Mina’s, but I never expected she was an illegitimate child." "The Vaughn Family held traditional values, with no issues of illegitimacy occurring. The old madam never interfered with who Miss Mina befriended, as long as Miss Mina was healthy and happy outside." "However, this non-intervention had its limits. If Miss Mina associated with someone completely unsavory, someone indulging in vices and not reputable, then the old madam would certainly intervene." "This is also why the old madam kept me by Miss Mina’s side, afraid that Miss Mina would be deceived or harmed without the old madam knowing." "Since getting to know Miss Mina, Ronia never did anything to hurt her. On the contrary, she was exceptionally kind to Miss Mina. She frequently cooked Miss Mina’s favorite dishes and snacks. When Miss Mina was ill, Ronia watched over her day and night, caring for her tirelessly." "She said if it weren’t for Miss Mina saving her, she wouldn’t know what would have become of her. Miss Mina is her savior and friend for life, and she vowed to repay Miss Mina’s kindness always." "With Ronia being so kind, gentle, grateful, and never forgetting her roots, how could Miss Mina doubt her and think she was a bad girl? Even upon learning Ronia was an illegitimate child, Miss Mina accepted her." "In truth, Miss Mina dislikes those who ruin families. She despises them, but because it was Ronia, she was willing to accept her. Miss Mina said Ronia was innocent; her parents were the ones at fault, and they couldn’t place the blame on Ronia." "When I heard this, it made me slightly uncomfortable, always feeling that children from such backgrounds weren’t good. However, Ronia’s behavior was impeccable, without any flaws, making it impossible to find faults with her, besides being an illegitimate child." "Miss Mina asked me not to tell the old madam about her having a friend who was an illegitimate child, to avoid worrying the old madam. So, I didn’t say anything. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have listened to Miss Mina. If I had told the old madam, perhaps the things that happened later wouldn’t have occurred." At this moment, Mrs. Wei’s eyes filled with self-reproach, deep self-reproach. Ava Sterling listened to these stories from the past, things she was entirely unaware of. Listening like tales from long ago, she was filled with anger but more than anything, a heavy weight. There are people in this world who can disguise themselves very well, making it impossible to detect their strangeness or ambitions." Because they are sufficiently patient and willing to lower themselves." Such people are terrifying. Poe Vaughn’s mother was kind, born into a family with excellent conditions. She probably never faced any major ups and downs, unaware of the malevolence in people’s hearts. After meeting Ronia, Ronia’s demeanor made her believe in her, believe that this gentle girl was genuinely kind and a good person." "Even though Ronia was an illegitimate child, Poe Vaughn’s mother didn’t care." It was precisely because of this that the betrayal that followed happened." Ava Sterling looked at Mrs. Wei, whose eyes were now glistening with warmth from regret, guilt, and self-blame, reddening her eyes. Ava felt compassion in her heart. She stepped forward, hugged Mrs. Wei, and gently patted her back, "Mrs. Wei, it’s not your fault, nor Poe Vaughn’s mother’s fault. It’s that bitch’s fault." "She was too good at disguising herself, deceiving both you and Poe Vaughn’s mother. Such a person won’t have a good end, trust me." Ava believed in karma, and Ronia would surely face retribution." And she heard that Ronia gave birth to a mentally challenged child, which was her karma, though it didn’t end there. Her second son now also caused a big stir." Ronia, for the rest of her life, would live in retribution." Mrs. Wei shook her head, "It was my fault. The old madam had reminded me long ago to pay attention to the people around Miss Mina, but I still trusted Ronia, completely trusted her." "I often think back if I had told the old madam that Miss Mina had a friend who was an illegitimate child, the old madam would investigate and uncover many things. This way, perhaps, Miss Mina wouldn’t have been friends with Ronia, and Ronia and Hayden wouldn’t have hurt Miss Mina later." Tears fell from Mrs. Wei’s eyes, drowning her in deep self-reproach and guilt at that moment." Ava Sterling’s brow furrowed immediately, and she exclaimed loudly, "It’s not that!" Her voice was so loud that it reached outside the kitchen and even to Poe Vaughn, who had just opened the door and walked in.