Helena pleaded with all her heart, desperately trying to persuade her daughter.

As Maggie looked at her mother's weathered face, tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Mom, please don't make me do this!"

Maggie was resolute, unwilling to back down.

“Maggie, I've never begged you for anything before. But this time, I'm kneeling to beg you. If you refuse, I'll never stand up again."

Helena rose from the bed, intending to kneel before Maggie.

Maggie hurriedly stopped Helena. Her voice choked with emotion.

“Mom, please don't. I... I agree."

“Good girl. I'm really sorry."

Upon returning to the studio, Rosalynn's emotions were still a tempestuous storm, far from settled.

In a fit of rage, she slapped Brian, feeling that he truly deserved it.

Moments ago, they had been on the street. How could he have been so insolent towards her?

Did he truly believe she was no different from Eleanor?

His eyes, however, glistened with sorrow, as if she were the one tormenting him.

A pang of unexplained guilt washed over her.

Inhaling deeply, Rosalynn retreated to her desk.

The adjacent workstation was vacant.

Maggie was missing.

Where could she be?

Rosalynn retrieved her phone and fired off a message to Maggie, inquiring about her whereabouts.

Soon enough, Maggie's response arrived.

“Rosalynn, I took the day off. My mother's in the hospital. I'm with her now.”