In the desolate confines of the dimly lit room, Arona's revelation reverberated like a sudden storm, leaving Mr. William in a state of profound disbelief. "What! Are you not a maid but the daughter of Lexim's household?" he exclaimed, the weight of his words slicing through the already tense atmosphere. Madame and Mia, caught off guard, exchanged nervous glances, desperately attempting to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

Mia, unable to restrain her frustration, impulsively lunged at Arona, delivering a stinging slap. Accusations flew as Mia accused Arona of orchestrating an elaborate deception by faking scars and deliberately adopting a shabby appearance. The room, already charged with tension, crackled with the energy of conflicting emotions. Despite the chaos, Mr. William, with an unwavering gaze, remained unconvinced, piercing through the charged atmosphere with his scrutiny.

In an attempt at damage control, Madame stepped forward. "Ohh! My dear Arona, I know you are naughty, but what you did today went too far. I'll punish you later for this. Now, go to your nanny ASAP," she declared, her tone a blend of sympathy and reprimand. Arona, teetering on the brink of extending the dramatic confrontation, hesitated. However, the mention of her nanny brought an abrupt halt to her thoughts. Nanny, the sole pillar of support in this oppressive household, was not a pawn Arona wished to jeopardize.

Seizing on the unexpected turn of events, Mr. William proposed that Arona join them for lunch, underscoring her status as a daughter of the household. Mia, bewildered and frustrated by Mr. William's unusual attention, bit her lips in anger. The maids swiftly ushered Arona, transforming her appearance to befit the occasion, and escorted her to the dining room where the so-called family and Mr. William awaited.

Arona found herself uncomfortably settled beside Mia, the situation almost inducing indigestion in her sister. In the midst of the strained atmosphere, Mia's sudden coughing fit during the meal drew everyone's attention. Madame and the maids surrounded Mia, providing a momentary distraction. In that crucial moment, Arona, with a flash of realization, remembered that Mia's deadly disease had not yet transferred to her.

Seizing the opportune moment, Arona excused herself from the room, retreating to the sanctuary of her solitude. Alone in her room, she meticulously documented the unfolding events, weaving a strategic plan to navigate the tumultuous future that awaited her. The first step: liberate herself from the clutches of this living hell and amass the power needed to expose the torment they had made her endure.

As Arona contemplated her strategy, a vivid sequence of events unfolded in her mind—a roadmap to her freedom. The plan crystallized around the imperative of escaping the clutches of her tormentors and, most importantly, shielding Nanny from the impending storm.

To be continued...

In the labyrinth of deceit, Arona's journey unfolds—a relentless quest for freedom, justice, and retribution. The stage is set for her to break free from the shackles that bind her, revealing a