"You..." Maria wanted to ask the girl to give her a head massage. After all, hotel room service, such as massages, was available for a fee.

Narcolepsy hurt the nerves of the head the most, and Maria needed someone to provide her with a relaxing massage.

Maria narrowed her eyes at the girl. Before making any requests, she asked, “What's your name?”

“My name is Isla." Her answer made Maria frown.

“Was this name given to you by your parents?" she asked another question.

The girl shook her head, her eyes directed at the floor. "I'm an orphaned child and nobody wanted me. It was her ladyship who had taken me in and given me my name. I'll do whatever I can to repay her kindness all my life."

Hearing this, the frown on Maria's face grew deeper.

“Are you saying that out of your own free will? Or is someone making you say that?"

Isla's eyes widened. No one had ever asked this question to her whenever she said those words.

Isla looked away and seemed to hesitate for a bit, before saying in hushed tones, "Doris taught me that. Every time I see someone new, I have to tell them that. I was told that her ladyship would be very pleased to hear it."

Pleased?

Did the old Lady really take pleasure in a girl humiliating herself? What kind of sick evil person was this old lady?

For a second, a hint of coldness flashed through Maria's eyes.

Then, she noticed that Isla's eyes were staring at the suitcase she had just opened.

On top of it, there was a stack of manuscripts.

Maria was a writer, and although she usually wrote on her Laptop, she would also write on paper from time to time.

Despite the advent of technology, paper and pens had not yet been rendered obsolete. Maria had gotten so used to writing with a pen that she insisted on it whenever she could. Although she would only write drafts and outlines with them, she felt that it was conducive in expanding her creative ideas.

Maria picked up a stack of old manuscripts. This one was the first part of Female Military Counsellor.

Isla's eyes followed Maria's hand.

"Why are you staring at me?" Maria asked.

“I... I can read.”

Isla's response managed to take Maria aback.

Was it so odd to be able to read nowadays?

However, Maria seemed to have realized something and asked, "You can read, but you didn't go to school?"