Rhea’s lips quivered, disheartened by Marcus’ aloofness.


    She dropped her gaze and replied, “Recently, you’ve been absent from home, and Mrs. Thomas is


    quite displeased. She wants you to return. She says it’s filthy and disordered outside.”


    She recalled the dreadful incident with Millie at thest party. Her elegant back had been injured,


    though fortunately withoutsting scars, but the pain had lingered for days.


    Today, she had nned to inform Marcus about Millie’s actions.


    But after seeing his demeanor, she found herself unable to speak.


    “I understand,” Marcus responded, his voice devoid of emotion, as he headed towards the building.


    Rhea bit her lower lip in vexation, hastening to keep pace.


    Millie’s influence was far too overwhelming.


    Marcus seemed to have cast aside even his mother’s wishes. His stay in that run-down neighborhood


    was a blemish on his otherwise distinguished status.


    How could he endure it?


    “Marcus, are you mad at me?”


    Rhea reached out to grasp Marcus’ arm, but his face altered, and he yanked her hand away with force.


    By unfortunate chance, she had gripped his wound.


    “What’s the matter?” she asked, taken aback and feeling a flush of embarrassment at being so abruptly


    rebuffed.


    Marcus answered impatiently, “I don’t have the time or inclination to engage in conversation with you


    now. Please go about your business.”


    “Is your arm hurt?” Rhea inquired, noticing his reaction.


    Without further exnation, Marcus continued on his way towards the building, leaving Rhea to lower


    her eyelids in thought.


    Turning on her heel, Rhea sought out Celeste.


    “Mrs. Thomas, I encountered Marcus today and ryed your wish for him to return home, but he was


    quite impatient in his response,” she reported.


    “Why does he insist on staying in that decrepit neighborhood instead of our beautiful vi?” Celeste


    grunted, her voice rising in anger.


    “It’s all Millie’s doing. She must be the one forbidding Marcus to retum. She’s putting him in a position


    where he must choose between her and you. This woman has overstepped her bounds,” Rhea


    asserted.


    A wave of difort washed over Celeste, and she couldn’t help but feel there was some truth in


    Rhea’s words.


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    Millie was undoubtedly acting out of spite for her perceived wrongs over the fishbone incident.


    “That Millie has no respect or decency. She’s clearly trying to undermine me.”