The black Maybach was nowhere to be seen in the yard. Virginia stared at the vacant space, a deafening hum filling her ears. Dizziness and sharp pain swirled together, constantly cauterizing her sanity, which was on the point of collapse. She felt as if she might lose her mind. ... Virginia trudged back into the house with a weary step. As she turned, her eyes locked on Marilyn, standing at the door with her arms crossed. The gentleness from moments earlier, when Marilyn had urged Virginia to make egg custards, was gone. Now, the woman looked at her with the same cold indifference one might reserve for a stray dog on the side of the road. Seeing that Marilyn had dropped her pretense, Virginia's lips curled into a bitter smile. So, theactis over already? Is ittoomuchtoaskforatleast a littlepretense? Marilyn glanced at her, her eyes full of cold disdain. She turned and entered the house without saying anything.Virginia followed her. As soon as she stepped inside, she heard Marilyn coldly gesture at the table full of food. "Throw all of this away," she told Lana. Lana peered at Virginia but said nothing. Quietly, she picked up the plates, preparing to carry them outside. Virginia's pupils shrank. These are thebreakfasts I havepainstakinglymadeafterwakingupatfour in themorning, andspending a fullthreehourspreparing. NowMarilynwantstothrowthemout?! Fine, I don'texpectMarilyntoacceptmygoodintentions, butthisissimplyinsulting! Thisisthebreakfast I made, sheshouldhaveaskedmefirstbeforethrowingitout. WhatgivesMarilyntherighttomakesuch a decision? Virginia's fists tightened once more, and she began walking toward Marilyn. After only a few steps, Marilyn suddenly raised her hand as if struck by a moment of conscience. "Wait," she called to Lana. Lana stopped and turned. Virginia froze in her tracks. Has Marilyn finally had a change of heart and decided not to throw the food out after all? The anger inside Virginia ebbed slightly.If Marilyn has a changeofheart, thenthere'snoneedtoescalatethingsfurther. Herearlierragewastheresultofheremotionsgettingthebestofher, unabletocontainthefireburninginside. After all, MarilynisLance'smother, andshe has somestanding in theJohnstons. It'sprobablywisertoavoidprovokingher. Virginia silently told herself to hold back. Unexpectedly, just as Virginia relaxed her clenched fists, Marilyn's next words felt like a slap to her face, multiple times over. "Give it to the servants, I suppose. It's a waste to throw it away, considering it was bought with the Johnstons' money." "Understood." Lana nodded. Whatdoesshemeanbythat?! The dishes I had workedsohardtoprepare are giventotheservants?! It would have been better to toss it away, or perhaps give it to the dogs, rather than face such humiliation. The anger Virginia had just managed to calm down surged back up in an instant. She felt like a fool for even thinking that Marilyn had a moment of conscience. How wrong she had been. She didn't expect this woman's mouth to be so poisonous. As if that weren't enough, Marilyn added with a nonchalant air, "Oh, and by the way, Addison will be here soon. Have the Johnstons' best chef come over and prepare the dishes Addison prefers. We need to make sure Addison has a hot meal when she arrives."