Episode 6
Monica closed her mouth for a moment, then opened it again.
“Why are you here? I’m a little embarrassed… Lizzy!”
Why had she come? Monica truly hadn’t expected this response from a friend she hadn’t seen in years—a friend she had shared joys and sorrows with at the orphanage.
Monica thought to herself for a moment.
No…
No, Monica changed her mind.
There’s no way I didn’t know.
That couldn’t be true. Monica decided not to fool herself. Lizzy had been hostile to her from the moment they first met. That curt “you” Lizzy had addressed her with was proof enough.
She must have recognized me then.
It was the same with Monica. The moment Lizzy saw her, she must have realized who she was—the girl from the orphanage.
Had Lizzy not recognized her, she would have addressed Monica with more formality, the way upper-class women typically did.
“As you can see.”
Monica glanced around before looking back at Lizzy, who was staring at her with a furrowed brow.
“I received a letter of introduction from Martinel Mollet… Your brother, correct? I came to be his tutor. I didn’t know you would be here…”
“Stop lying. What are you trying to pull?”
This time, Monica frowned. Lizzy crossed her arms and spoke again.
“Yeah, I recognized you. Monica Offen.”
“… …”
“I tried to pretend I didn’t, but since you insist on calling me by my old name, I guess I’ll have to acknowledge you.”
“Lizzy,” Monica called out softly.
Lizzy cut her off sharply. “My name is Riella. Riella Mollet.”
“Oh, yes. I’m sorry… Riella.”
Monica deliberately softened her tone, sensing Riella’s hostility.
“Why are you here?” Riella demanded.
Monica wasn’t taken aback by the sudden interrogation. She decided to understand her old friend.
Wasn’t it natural? If you were living in a grand mansion with kind adoptive parents, a charming younger brother, and beautiful dresses, the sudden appearance of an orphanage friend after ten years would be jarring.
Monica understood.
She even understood why Riella hated the name Offen so much that she flinched every time someone used it. But still, Riella had no right to treat her this way.
“I have no ulterior motives. You must be mistaken, Riella. I came here simply because I was recommended for this position.”
As Monica reached into her bag for the letter of introduction, Riella snatched it from her hands. Riella’s gray eyes quickly scanned the document.
“Huh.”
“I was recommended by a former colleague. She thought this would be a good fit for me. When I first saw you, I was surprised—”
Rip.
Monica’s face paled. Riella had torn the letter of introduction in half.
“Lizzy! What are you doing?”
Monica reached out instinctively, but Riella ripped it again before she could stop her.
“Give it back!”
Monica tried to grab the torn pieces, but Riella resisted, gritting her teeth. In the scuffle, Riella’s nails scratched the back of Monica’s hand.
“Ah!”
Blood welled up on Monica’s reddened skin. She pulled her hand back, shocked.
Riella glanced at Monica’s injured hand, her expression flickering with guilt before hardening.
“That was unnecessary,” Monica said, her voice shaking with anger.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Riella snapped, throwing the shredded pieces of the letter onto the floor.
Monica stared at the torn pieces, her heart sinking.
‘Who would hire me now?’
She bent down to gather the fragments, but her mind raced with despair.
When Monica looked up, Riella’s cold gray eyes met hers.
“Why did you really come here?” Riella’s voice was low and accusing. “What are you planning, Monica Offen?”
Monica’s temper flared. “You were an orphan too, Lizzy. Don’t forget that.”
Riella’s face turned pale.
“Shut your mouth.”
Monica stood, holding the pieces of the letter.
“I don’t know what you’re so afraid of, but you have no right to treat me like this.”
Riella’s expression wavered. She looked scared, like a soldier bracing for battle.
“Are you afraid of me, Lizzy?” Monica asked softly.
Before Riella could respond, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Riella called quickly, her voice sharp with tension.
The door opened, revealing Mrs. Mollet.
“Oh my, you two seem to be getting along already!”
Her gaze landed on Monica’s hand, which still hovered near Riella’s arm. Monica quickly withdrew it.
“Where’s Martinel?” Mrs. Mollet asked, scanning the room.
“Oh, he went to his room for a moment,” Riella replied smoothly, her earlier agitation hidden behind a polite smile.
Mrs. Mollet chuckled, “That boy! I’ll have to go find him.”
As the two women chatted, Monica watched in amazement. Riella had slipped effortlessly into the role of the perfect noblewoman.
Finally, Mrs. Mollet turned back to Monica.
“I need to take your letter of introduction to Madame Orange. Do you have it?”
Monica hesitated, her gaze falling to the shredded paper in her hand.
“…I’m sorry, ma’am. The letter was damaged.”
Mrs. Mollet’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“What happened?”
Before Monica could explain, Riella interjected, her voice sweet and composed.
“Mother, I’m sure it was just a little accident.”
Monica clenched her fists, holding back the urge to confront Riella in front of Mrs. Mollet.
—