Chapter 271
Chapter 271 Filial Piety “Yes, | know, I'll be waiting there,”
Mala hung up the phone promptly, Then, she quickly propped up the portrait against the living room wall and dialed Fernando's number. The call was quickly answered, and
Vernando’s friendly voice came through, “Hello? Mala”
“Pernando, Ms. Rita and | will be coming to Beverley Manor later, | don’t know why she’s coming, but I’m worried she might harm Grandpa.”
“What? You and Madam are coming together? This...” Vernando was taken aback. He had not expected Mala to accompany Rita,
“It's a long story. She and | can never reconcile, but for now, she thinks | have amnesia, so she’s treating me the way she did before, | need to be at Beverley Manor with her to see what she’s up to!”
“Ms. Rita and Mr. Hans have never been on good terms. Back when Mr. Hans was still in good bealth, she caused him great suffering. There’s so much history, and | have seen it all. Since Mr. Hans has been resting at Beverley Manor, she has never visited. She usually just has her servants deliver things. I’m afraid she has nefarious reasons for coming in person!”
Vernando’s tone was anxious and urgent. Lately, Mr. Hans was as naive as a child, lacking much of his former power. Rita, on the other hand, was arrogant, and while she may not have dared to openly defy him, who knew what she was capable of doing on the sly?
Maia pursed her lips and immediately said, “Vernando, tell Cedric immediately.” “Yes, | will. He needs to know,”
“Okay, I'll be coming in Rita’s car. Get ready for us.”
“Maia, be careful. She was never very kind to you,”
“Don’t worry, Fernando. I’m more capable than Rita could ever know.”
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After hanging up the phone, Maja checked the time. The autumn sun was mild, but Maia knew Rita very well. She would likely take at least half an hour to get ready before leaving, Mala had often suffered in intense weather while waiting for her, many times before.
Maia waited for about half an hour before leaving her house and walking to the bus stop, She had only been there for a minute or two when Rita’s car arrived,
“Oh, did | keep you waiting long?” Rita asked with a smirk.
Mala shook her head and smiled, “No, no, I’m your daughter. It’s a pleasure to wait for you.” “It's good that you know where you stand, Get in.”
Maia opened the car door and got in. Maia pretended to look puzzled and asked, “Mother, why would grandpa live at Beverley Manor? I’ve never heard anyone mention it, and | haven't been in touch with him either.”
Rita smiled. “Of course you wouldn't know. Since my father was discharged from the hospital, he has been resting at Beverley Manor. As a daughter-in-law, | must show him how much | care, so | selected some gifts and personally delivered them to him. You should heed my example. Filial piety comes first. Listen to me and be a good daughter-in-law. You should never anger your husband and displease your mother-in-law. Do you understand?”
Maia nodded obediently. “Yes, | understand. I'll do exactly as you say.”
Hearing Maia’s response, Rita felt delighted and self-satisfied. Maia looked at her with a sense of amusement, concealing her emotions well. Rita did not notice anything amiss.
Maia had no concerns that Rita would do anything to harm her on the drive to Beverley Manor. After all, it was unlikely that Rita would endanger herself.
Still, Maia could not understand why Rita would go to visit Hans at Beverley Manor. She talked about personally selecting gifts and showing filial piety, but who knew what schemes Rita might be plotting behind the scenes?
After some time, the car slowly drove up to Beverley Manor. Once the car had stopped, Maia quickly got out and circled around to open Rita’s car door. Maia had not forgotten all of Rita’s rules from before. She remembered everything clearly from the past with clarity and hatred.
After Rita got out of the car, she told Maia, “Go open the trunk and bring the things inside.”
“As you wish.”
Carrying the items, Maia followed behind Rita, paying attention to her every move. Upon entering the quaint and elegant living room, Rita greeted the butler, Fernando, who was making tea, with a smile. “Hello, Fernando.’
Hearing Rita’s voice, Fernando paused for a moment. Having been the butler for the old master, he quickly regained composure. Soon, Fernando put down the teapot, turned to face Rita, and nodded in acknowledgment.
“Ms. Rita, hello. It’s been a long time. | wasn’t expecting you to come to Beverley Manor. After all, this place is in the suburbs, quite far from the city. Madam’s visit is truly appreciated.”
“Not at all, it's my duty as a daughter-in-law to visit and take care of my father. After all, | am now the one in charge of the Larkin family. In the past, my father treated me so well and took care of me, and now that he’s old and frail, it's my turn to return the favor.”
Rita’s words sounded sickeningly righteous. Maia stood behind Rita, her lips momentarily demeanor. +15 BONUS
Fernando, responding to Rita’s words, smiled and nodded, concealing his emotions effectively. Then, he shifted his gaze to Maia and greeted her, “Ms. Maia, it’s been a long time. | wasn’t expecting to see you.”
Fernando was indeed an experienced man, playing his part perfectly. Maia took the cue and responded with a soft and gentle voice. “Hello, Fernando. I’m embarrassed to admit that it’s been so long since | visited grandfather. It was mother who suggested that | come along.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Maia’s words were beautifully articulated, controlling every aspect of tone, expression, and emphasis flawlessly. If one had not already known that she was pretending, it would have been impossible to detect the sarcasm in her words.