Chapter 278 Ruth Stole Something


    Ruth swallowed hard. "I''m thirsty. Can you pour me a ss of water first?"


    Her tone was strangely gentle, so unlike her usual self that Maia was caught off guard.


    For a moment, Maia didn''t think much of it and nodded. "Sure."


    She turned to head into the kitchen. Ruth followed her inside and quietly closed the front door.


    Her eyes wandered around the apartment enviously.


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    She hadn''t really taken a good look thest time she came, but now she noticed that this ce was really nice.


    She had lived for decades and never once had a home this decent, yet Maia was living here infort.


    What an ungrateful brat! Not once had she thought of inviting me to live with her.


    When Maia returned with a ss of water, she noticed Ruth heading toward the storage room.


    She rushed over and stopped her. "Don''t go in there! That''s all Caroline''s stuff."


    Ruth paused, then pouted. "What''s the big deal? I''m just taking a look."


    She spoke as if it were nothing and continued walking toward the storage room.


    Judging by how nervous Maia looked, Ruth thought there was something valuable in there.


    Maia quickly stepped in front of her and held out the ss of water. “Didn''t you say you were thirsty? Here, drink this."


    Once Ruth finished drinking, Maia grabbed her arm. “Didn''t you say Grandma is in bad shape at the hospital? Let''s go now."


    Ruth frowned and yanked her arm free. “Why are you in such a rush? Can''t I look around?"


    That eager, worried tone from when she first arrived waspletely gone. Now Maia started to feel suspicious. "Are you lying about Grandma?"


    Ruth''s eyes flickered for a second, then she forced an awkward smile. “She is sick. But her condition has stabilized. Maia, I''ve had a hard life. And I finally have a chance to see a ce this fancy-just let me enjoy it a little. I raised you, after all. Can''t I just take a look around? It''s not like it''ll hurt anyone."


    Maia didn''t want to argue with her right now, so she gave in. “Fine. But don''t touch anything. Caroline doesn''t like people going through her stuff."


    Ruth scoffed, "You''re so dumb, Just don''t tell Caroline I was here!"


    Maia shook her head. "There are no secrets between Caroline and me, I don''t see any reason to hide anything from her."


    Ruth chuckled. "You''re just too honest. You may not hide things from her, but she hides everything from you." Maia''s eyes darkened slightly. "She doesn''t. You don''t need to stir things up between us."


    12:46 Tue, 24 Jun GEIG


    Chapter 278 Ruth Stole Something


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    48 Pearls


    Once the DNA test was done today, she would know the truth about whether Ruth was really her biological mother or not.


    If she wasn''t, then Ruth was her enemy.


    And you don''t trust your enemy.


    "She has kept things from you. She..." Ruth hesitated, then waved her hand like she was brushing it off. “Forget it. I won''t say more. I just want you to know-Caroline has two faces. Don''t trust her too much. The only reason I told you not to tell her I came is for your own good. She hates me. If she finds out I''ve been here, she''ll me you for it. Don''t forget—we''re mother and daughter.”


    She acted as if she was genuinely concerned about Maia, and for a moment, that actually warmed Maia''s heart just a little.


    “Alright, that''s enough," Maia said. "Look around if you must. But after that, we''re going to see Grandma." Caroline had already arranged to meet ina at the hospital at 10 a.m. to do the DNA test.


    Time was tight.


    "I''m going to wash up. Don''t take too long in there,” Maia said, heading toward the bathroom.


    It was still dark out. She had no idea where Caroline had gone.


    It didn''t matter for now. She needed to get ready and get to the hospital.


    Ruth scowled at Maia''s back before finally stepping into the storage room.


    Once inside, she didn''t even nce at the decorative items on the shelves. Instead, she went straight to rummaging through drawers and boxes,pletely ignoring Maia''s warning.


    After a few minutes, she found a small, delicate box tucked inside one of the drawers.


    It looked expensive and well-made. Whatever was inside had to be worth even more.


    A gleam of greed flickered in Ruth''s eyes.


    "Time''s almost up. Are you done yet?"


    Maia''s voice called from outside the room.


    Ruth quickly slipped the box into her sleeve, shut the drawer, closed the door, and called back with a cheerful, "Yes, all done!"


    Maia was brushing her hair at the sink. She felt relief when she saw Ruth walk out with empty ha


    She had been worried Ruth mighty eyes on something and try to pressure her into asking Caroline for it like thest time.


    Once her hair was done, Maia followed Ruth out and headed for the hospital together.


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