Chapter 178
Chapter 178 Rita Feeling Guilty
Maia didn’t go to the restroom but quietly went downstairs. Upon reaching the lower floor, she headed directly to the front desk. Looking at several hotel staff working diligently, she instructed, “Bring two glasses of peach rose wine upstairs.”
“Yes.” The staff nodded, immediately beginning the preparation.
Observing the staff uncorking the bottles, she noticed that the peach rose wine was produced by the Burgess Winery. Seeing her family winery’s wine, she couldn’t help but smile.
She didn’t expect Errol to expand the winery business so much, with their wines making their way into various high-end restaurants.
Then she looked towards a few robust staff members standing on the side. She approached them and whispered, “Did Cedric ask you to protect me?”
As soon as she spoke, they simultaneously called her “Miss Maia.” She made a quick “shh” gesture, then attentively gazed upstairs, worried about catching Rita’s attention.
“Miss Maia, please rest assured. Everyone here is our own, and Cedric has arranged everything. Mrs. Rita’s every move is being monitored. Once she comes downstairs, the bar will notify us.”
Hearing the lead bodyguard’s words, she realized Cedric’s meticulous planning, but she never expected him to be so considerate.
“In that case, help me with one thing.” “Please tell us.” Maia leaned in and quietly gave instructions to the bodyguards. It took about five or six minutes before she went back upstairs.
As soon as she entered the second-floor private room, she saw Rita sitting by the floor—to- ceiling window, enjoying the river view and taking photos with her phone.
“Mom.” Maia smiled at Rita with lowered eyes.
Not long after taking their seats, two glasses of wine were placed on the table.
“| didn’t order this,” Rita said, looking at the red liquid with confusion.
Maia immediately responded, “It’s a complimentary gift from the restaurant, peach rose wine. The color is really beautiful.” She picked up a glass and swirled it. Before Rita could speak, Maia sipped the peach rose wine and let out a light sigh. +15 BONUS
“Ah, | remember Zera loved peach rose wine the most. She would have a small glass every night before bed...” Maia sighed again. “I don’t know if she can still enjoy it.”
Rita’s expression became slightly awkward.
“On such a beautiful day, why bring up Zera?*.
Rita's to
tone carried a hint of reproach. Maia took a few more sips of the wine and then picked up another glass to offer to Rita.
“Drinking this peach rose wine just makes me think of her. Mom, take a sip. The taste is really good. No wonder Zera loved it.” Maia deliberately mentioned Zera, testing Rita’s reaction.
“| won't drink it. Get it away!” Rita was furious and looked terrified at the peach rose wine. Maia maintained the submissive expression of a dutiful daughter-in-law but she was sure Rita felt guilty and afraid.
“Mom, although you adopted Zera, your relationship with her is like that of a mother and daughter. She’s like your biological daughter. Now that she has left without a trace, and the murderer hasn’t been brought to justice, we can only reminisce.
“Mom, you had such a good relationship with her. Have a sip for Zera. Maybe if you taste it, she'll taste it too.”
Maia’s words were deeply unsettling. In an instant, the red liquid in the wine glass looked less like wine and more like fresh blood.
Rita tried to stay calm, but her face showed her fear. Maia then handed Rita the wine. “Here, mom, have a taste.”
“Get it away. | won't drink it! Maia, can’t you understand English?”
Rita refused, waving Maia’s hand away, unable to look at the glass.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
Maia let go of the glass. It fell to the ground, shattering into pieces, and the wine splashed all over Rita’s high-end dress.
“Mom...” Maia quickly approached, “Mother, are you okay?” “Maia, look at what you've done!” Rita angrily exclaimed.
Maia lowered her head, wearing an innocent expression. “Mom, | didn’t do it on purpose. When you pushed it away, the glass slipped. | really didn’t mean to. I’m sorry, Mom. Shall we go to the restroom to clean up?”
Seeing the red wine staining Rita’s dress and legs, Maia couldn’t help but smile. Rita rushed to the restroom with sticky legs and red liquid running down. Watching Rita’s retreating figure, Maia’s lips curled upward.
+15 BONUS “Oh, Rita.”
Then, she looked at the bodyguards who had already gone upstairs, nodding subtly at them. The bodyguards understood and immediately began to carry out Maia’s instructions.
Inside the restroom, Rita quickly turned on the faucet to wash up. With an unsatisfied expression, she muttered, “This little brat, she did it on purpose. Such a wretched thing! She lost her memory, but still seducing my son, making me wait for her for hours, and now spilling wine on me!”
“What a despicable woman! | must teach her a lesson. Maia, now that you've lost your memory, you’ve become that rabbit who. let others bully you,” Rita muttered angrily, looking at the red stains on her clothes.
After a brief wash, she walked toward the restroom door. Turning the handle, she found it wouldn’t budge, no matter how hard she tried. Frowning, Rita tried using both hands to turn the handle, but the door remained stubbornly closed, showing no signs of opening.
“What's going on?” Already in a bad mood, Rita’s expression became even more unpleasant. “Why won't the door open? | didn’t lock it when | came in!” Confused, she continued to try turning the handle. Frustration took over, and Rita began banging on the door, shouting to the outside, “Hey, can anyone hear me?!
“How would a high-end restaurant restroom automatically lock itself?”