In a nutshell, Mrs. Jenkins brought me up, and I owe her the world..."

Isla spoke mechanically, devoid of emotion as if reciting lines from a script.

There wasn't a moment's pause. It was clear she'd rehearsed this countless times.

"Could this really be true? Are you being serious?"

Julie found it hard to believe.

"It can't be real! You shouldn't buy into this nonsense! Parents love their children with all their hearts. You were just a tiny tot back then. Why on earth would your parents forsake you and take such a drastic step? Moreover, you mentioned that Mrs. Jenkins had compassion for you and took you in... This doesn't add up..."

Julie wanted to protest that it didn't align with Mrs. Jenkins character. But she couldn't find the words to continue.

At that moment, Isla lifted her gaze. Tears streamed down her gaunt cheeks, and her eyes were already brimming with tears.

Isla had already realized that what Doris had ingrained in her from a young age couldn't be the truth.

Nonetheless, given her position within the Jenkins clan, self- sufficiency was no easy feat, let alone summoning the courage to question Mrs. Jenkins about her parent's demise.

"Isla's dad served as the last butler for the Jenkins clan. Following her parents' passing, Canaan tried his best to convince the others and kept Isla in the Jenkins family. It's regrettable that, at that time, Mrs. Jenkins held the reins of the family. Initially, Canaan intended to adopt Isla himself, but Mrs. Jenkins had other plans and wrested Isla away, leaving her under Doris's watchful eye for these years."

Maria, with her long hair still damp, seemed to have just emerged from the bathroom. She strolled before Julie and Isla, clad in a loose bathrobe and barefoot.

“Darling, how can you hike out of the bathroom in this state? Aren't you concerned that someone might catch a glimpse?"

Julie shot Maria an angry look but then suddenly recalled what Maria had mentioned.

"Maria, what was that you said? Isla's father used to be the Jenkins family's butler?"

Isla's eyes widened in astonishment as she fixed her gaze on Maria.

"Yes," Maria affirmed with a nod.

"Canaan confided in me and requested that I extend his apologies to Isla on his behalf. He couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth or look after you all these years because he feared that Mrs. Jenkins would make things difficult for you and even conspire to harm you.

Regardless of how lonely and vulnerable you may have felt, at least you could remain alive within the Jenkins household."

After a prolonged pause, Isla's lips started to quiver.

“My lady... Is this the truth?"

It was an uncommon sight to witness Isla so enraged, her voice tainted with a hint of bitterness.

Isla had never displayed such intense emotion and anger before.

Now, she learned about her father and her origins.