“But...”

Maria interrupted Julie in a soft tone, “Mom, I used to live in a much worse environment than this. Don't worry. I chose to go back here, but I won't Let anyone bully me.”

Speechless, Julie held Maria's hands and pulled her into a hug.

She wanted to say what a good girl she was. She could cry in her arms for a while if she felt wronged.

But it was Julie who shed tears first. Maria stayed in her arms quietly. After a while, Julie wiped the tears from her flushed face.

“Well... Maria, your uncle and I reached an agreement. Although the Smith family is not an ancient martial arts family, circumstances have changed. Even though the ancient martial arts clans were once glorious, they had already been a thing of the past. They no longer ruled this world. The Smith family will always be your strongest support!" When she said this, Julie was unusually serious.

“Oh, I almost forgot about the Sky Group... Well... Although it belongs to Anthony, don't forget that the Sky Group is also your strongest backing! Anthony is the most concerned about you.”

Hearing this, Maria didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Anthony didn't spend much time with her mother, did he? How could he gain her mother's trust?

When Bill adopted Maria, it took Julie a long time to put aside bad feelings and accept her.

“Miss Maria, Miss Vivian is here. She wants to see your mother." Grover's disgusted voice came from outside.

Maria and Julie Looked at each other in surprise.

"What is she doing here?" Hearing the name, Vivian, evoked conflicting emotions in Julie.

She had cared for Vivian for a Long time, beginning when she was just a new-born. Vivian was her adoptive daughter, so there was no doubt that Julie genuinely loved her

However, when Julie ended her relationship with Bill, Vivian chose to side with him without hesitation.

She knew Patricia and Bill were having an affair, and she helped them keep it a secret from Julie.

And then, Vivian's true identity was revealed. As it turned out, she was Patricia's biological daughter. She and Bill had deceived Julie into raising their child.

Julie could not hold Vivian responsible for what had happened, as she was only a pawn in her parents’ scheme.

However, she still found it difficult to forgive Vivian due to the latter's nasty personality.

“Maria... I don't want to see her..." Julie stuttered, gnawing on her bottom Lip afterward.

“Alright then, I'll send her away," Maria said reassuringly.

She then left the room and headed toward the Lemna Yard's main gate. Vivian was waiting at the gate, sparkling in her bright outfit and accompanied by an attendant who appeared to be a trained combatant.

"Why are you here? Where's Mom?" Vivian demanded.

“Mom? Are you talking about Patricia? Why would she be here?"