Jessica watched the woman’s retreating figure, lingering astonishment in her eyes.

    She hadn’t expected Maureen to actually leave after just a few words.

    The thought that Maureen might be backing down eased her simmering anger.

    After Maureen left, Jessica ordered her clothes thrown into the trash.

    The Sutton estate stood vast and hollow.

    Maureen took secluded paths to the main gate, then dialed Justin.

    The call connected instantly.

    “Ms. Ramirez, I’m already nearby the Sutton estate.”

    Ever since Frank nearly killed Maureenst time, Justin had rushed back to protect her.

    “Good. I’ll need a ride.”

    “Yes, ma’am.”

    In the cold wind, Maureen wore a heavy coat but still felt chilly.

    Justin kept an eye on the surveince cameras around, drove all the way, and waited at the closest spot to her.

    Soon, he saw the thin woman walking over

    He immediately got out of the car and opened the door.

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    “Thanks.”

    Maureen stepped forward to thank him.

    Justin got back in the car and thoughtfully turned on the heater.

    Since Maureen went abroad, he had spent a lot of time protecting her.

    He knew Maureen was sensitive to cold.

    “Where are we going now?”

    Maureen leaned back in the seat, thought for a moment, and replied: “Back to Pearl.”

    Once she left, Geoffrey would find out soon enough and would surelye to demand an exnation.

    “Okay.”

    Justin chose a scenic route for the way back.

    Maureen looked at the scenery outside the window and asked him: “Last time you rushed home, was something wrong?”

    Justin’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he replied casually:

    “My fiancee called off the engagement.‘

    Maureen couldn’t help but feel surprised.

    As a bodyguard, they rarely discussed personal matters. This was the first time she heard he had a fiancee, let alone that the engagement was called off.

    “Was it because of your job?”

    Maureen felt a bit awkward.

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    Justin was one of the few truly reliable bodyguards left. He’d always be there whenever Maureen needed him, no matter howte.

    Justin’s dark eyes tightened as he fell silent for a beat.

    “She’s found someone else.”

    Those words cast a momentary hush over the car.

    Maureen struggled to find words offort. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know-”

    Before she could finish, her phone rang urgently.

    Geoffrey’s name shed on the screen.

    Remembering how his household staff treated her, Maureen silenced the call without answering.

    Justin watched her through the rearview mirror. “Want to head back?”

    “No. Take me to Pearl.”

    She refused to keep swallowing her pride.

    Why should shee running/just because Geoffrey called?

    Wasn’t Jessica practically family to him?

    If he hadn’t treated Maureen with such indifference, would Jessica have dared bully her like that?

    Meanwhile, Geoffrey listened to the robotic female voice: “The number you have dialed is currently unavable…”

    He redialed. Still no answer.

    Patience evaporating, Geoffrey turned to Jessica and the other maids standing before him.

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    “Why did she leave suddenly?”

    The maids exchanged nervous nces toward Jessica, too afraid to speak.

    Jessica twisted the truth: “Master, after you went to see the old master, I was tidying your room when Ms. Ramirez pped me twice for no reason at all.”

    “I felt wronged and wanted you to see justice, but she just left.”

    She spoke while covering her flushed cheek, tears streaming down her face.

    Hitting someone?

    Geoffrey pondered–Maureen had only ever struck him, neverid hands on others.

    His phoenix eyes turned cool: “Just that?”

    Jessica timidly met Geoffrey’s gaze: “When Ms. Ramirez tried to leave, I stopped her. But she said the Sutton family was hers to enter and exit as she pleased.”

    “Told me not to meddle.”

    Hearing this, Geoffrey stood and dropped one sentence before leaving: “You’d better not be lying!”

    A shiver ran through Jessica as she forced herself to stayposed.

    Once outside, Geoffrey immediately called his tail on Maureen.

    “Where’s Maureen now?”

    Jessica and others were listening behind the door. The urgency in

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    Geoffrey’s voice was unlike anything before.

    Previously, Geoffrey wouldn’t have bothered looking for Maureen if she disappeared.

    Now everything seemed to have changed.

    The bodyguard had been tailing Maureen. Since Justin’s car was a taxi, he didn’t suspect anything and answered truthfully: “Ms. Ramirez just took a cab, probably heading back to Pearl.”

    Learning Maureen was still in Karaville, Geoffrey felt his tense heart ease slightly.

    But he couldn’t grasp why she’d suddenly returned.

    “Any idea why she went back?”

    “Not sure.”

    The bodyguard stationed outside had no clue.

    Geoffrey hung up and ordered a car to rush him back to Pearl immediately.

    En route,

    Geoffrey dialed Maureen again–still no answer.

    He pressed the driver to speed home.

    Meanwhile, Maureen had reached Pearl. After bidding Justin farewell, she lingered at the estate entrance without stepping inside.