Chapter 1600


    Although the apartment was rarely bustling with guests, it boasted a few washer-dryerbos and a


    sophisticated vacuum-mop hybrid machine. Yet, Serena hadn''t the slightest clue how to operate any of


    them.


    Her worn clothes were simply tossed into the hamper, unwashed; the floors remained unswept and


    unmopped. Betty, upon entering the room, noticed strands of hair littering the floor, and the trash bin


    brimming to the top. It was once a time when Serena''s quarters were cleaned twice daily, kept spotless


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    and orderly.


    It was beyond belief that Mr. And Mrs. Collins hadn''t arranged even a single maid to tidy up for Serena.


    Now, with Serena under the weather, herundry was piling up - she''d have nothing to wear by


    tomorrow!


    "Ms. Serena, let me wash these clothes for you."


    Some of Serena''s garments were quite expensive, and hand-washing them could be gentler than the


    rough tumble of the machine.


    A shadow passed over Serena''s eyes, but she feigned resilience, "It’s okay. I''ll wash them once I''m


    better."


    "You''re sick; you need to rest up. It''s almost New Year after all. Your health''s the priority."


    With efficient grace, Bettyundered the clothes and hung them to dry on the balcony. To avoid


    disturbing Serena, she opted out of using the vacuum-mop and instead, swept the floors clean with a


    broom before mopping them with a steam mop - Serena had a fear of the germs in a conventional mop.


    Watching Betty bustling about, Serena realized the value in winning over such a diligent maid, if only to


    ease her own burdens.


    Betty also meticulously wiped down every surface in the room with a cloth. It wasn''t until Dr. Osmond


    called that she descended the stairs to receive him.


    Though Dr. Osmond found it odd that Serena was staying in the guesthouse and even more peculiar


    that her parents weren’t there with the ailing girl, he never pried into the affairs of the wealthy.


    After examining Serena, he respectfully offered, "You''vee down with a cold, Ms. Serena. I''ll


    prescribe some medicine; you should be better in a couple of days."


    "Thank you, Dr. Osmond."


    "Dr. Osmond, let me see you out," after escorting the doctor away, Betty prepared some warm water for


    Serena to take her pills. Seeing Serena in tears, she was startled, "What''s wrong, Ms. Serena? Is the


    water too hot? My fault, I didn''t check the temperature."


    Serena shook her head weakly, her eyes brimming with tears, "I just miss my parents, wondering when


    they''ll forgive me. Whenever I was sick before, my mom would be so worried, her eyes red, wishing


    she could take my ce. My dad would pace back and forth, wishing I could bounce back to health in


    an instant."


    Betty, touched by the stark loneliness surrounding them, eventually left the apartment to seek out


    Louisa. At that moment, Louisa had just finished her evening bath and was sitting before her vanity,


    indulging in her skincare routine.


    Impatient with Louisa''s leisurely demeanor, Betty couldn''t help but say, "Mrs. Collins, Dr. Osmond has


    seen Ms. Serena, saying she''s got a cold and needs to take cold medicine for a couple of days to get


    better. She''s in a lot of distress, crying pitifully, missing you. Could you spare a moment to visit her?"


    "I''m off to bed." Louisa replied indifferently, "Everyone has their aches and pains. Be runs the


    "But this is different, Ms. Serena''s all alone. Can''t you at least send her a message, show some


    concern?"


    "How I handle things is my business."


    Seeing that Louisa was unmoved, Betty bowed her head, "I''ve spoken out of turn. Rest well, Mrs.


    Collins. I''ll check on Ms. Serena early tomorrow to see if she gets better. I''ll take my leave now."


    Once Betty had left, Louisa resumed applying her night cream.