?Chapter 361:


    Mariana’s lips curved slightly, but she said nothing more. Instead, she reached into her purse.


    Just then, a ck card with a golden sheen slipped from her bag and ttered onto the marble floor.


    “Mariana, you dropped something.” Rosanna quickly stooped to retrieve it.


    Just as Rosanna reached for the card, a shoe forcefully pressed down on her hand. The heel belonged to Mariana, whose sleek high heels now pinned Rosanna’s hand to the ground.


    The agony in Rosanna’s knuckles intensified, rendering her fingers numb.


    Mariana appeared unfazed, her attention unwavering from the artwork as she pressed down even harder.


    Pain seared through Rosanna’s hand, threatening to break her bones. She almost screamed, but Mariana’s prior remarks resonated within her,pelling her to stifle her pain.


    Mariana then looked down with an indifferent nce, lifting her foot off Rosanna’s hand.


    “Oh, Rosanna, my apologies — I didn’t see you there. Did that hurt much?” she asked with feigned indifference. Her apology sounded insincere, echoing the detachment of the queen depicted in the artwork.


    Rosanna, visibly shaken, managed a weak smile and responded, “No fault of yours, Mariana. It was my own carelessness that ced my hand under your foot.”


    She proceeded to brush off the dust from Mariana’s high heels with her sleeve, disying a demeanor of servitude and respect.


    “Your shoes got dirty. Let me clean them for you,” Rosanna said quietly.


    Mariana’s eyes flickered briefly, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she watched the woman before her, head lowered in submission. This was exactly what she had desired — to make Rosanna understand her position. She was implying that, in her presence, Rosanna would always be nothing more than a willing servant.


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    Mariana then stooped slightly, feigning concern. “Are you still in pain?”


    Despite the visible swelling and redness in her hand, Rosanna took a deep breath and replied with a subdued smile, “No, the pain has subsided.”


    “That’s good to hear,” Mariana responded, her smile thin and barely visible. The step was meant as a reprimand as much as a test — a punitive measure for Mnie’s sake.


    Regardless of Rosanna’s intentions, whether she meant to challenge the Cooper family or not, she needed to be disciplined. However, Mariana was willing to overlook further transgressions as long as Rosanna remained obedient.


    As they continued walking, Mariana broached another topic casually. “By the way, how did youe to know that Ethan Watson came from the slums? What connections do you have with Ethan?”


    Rosanna’s heart raced. Before she could answer, Mariana’s tone hardened. “I expect yourplete honesty.”


    Rosanna faltered, torn between speaking and staying silent. Then, lifting her head, her eyes rimmed with red, she whispered, “Actually… Ethan used to be my brother. Before the Morgans brought me home, we lived side by side in the slums. Later, I found out we weren’t rted at all. His real sister is Maia.”


    Mariana, mid-step, halted and pivoted to face her.


    A wild thrum of panic hammered in Rosanna’s chest. Someone like Mariana would have no trouble digging into her past — and today’s subtle prodding had already made that clear. Rosanna had no room left for lies.


    Lowering her gaze, she fought to steady her voice. “I’ve always felt so ashamed. I worried you’d look down on me if you knew the truth. I swear, I never meant to hide anything!”


    The words trembled out of her as tears spilled freely.


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