“What? You can't be serious!"

Hearing that, Julie was dumbfounded.

Julie was largely unaware of Maria's childhood struggles.

She had always viewed Maria as exceptionally talented. Someone who not only had vast knowledge but also excelled in numerous areas.

But the revelation that Isla's training was just a fraction of what Maria had undergone was staggering.

“Even when Vivian was cramming for the lessons at home, she practiced less than half as much as Isla..."

Interrupting, Julie inquired, “Maria, what drove you to push yourself so hard as a child?"

"To reclaim what the Jenkins family took from me," Maria replied, her voice low yet unwavering.

She added with a smile, "During my childhood, the only respite I had was when my narcolepsy would kick in. Apart from that, I was constantly occupied. Clark and Denis were particularly strict with me, so there was no room for laziness."

Julie had heard the names of Clark and Denis more than once.

She understood their significance in Maria's life, yet found it challenging to probe deeper.

If Julie were to press Maria for more about Clark and Denis, she couldn't shake the nagging thought: could they be Maria's biological family? And if so, she was merely Maria's adoptive mother...

The mere notion stirred a twinge of guilt within Julie.

Julie's thoughts tangled in confusion.

"My dear... Why did you never mention your biological parents?" Julie inquired, her voice tinged with worry.

Maria met her gaze and held a tender smile, letting a brief silence linger.

Julie sighed softly.

"You don't need to tell me if you'd rather not.

I was just wondering."

As guilt seeped into Julie's heart, her voice faded to a whisper, softer than Isla's ever was.

When Maria was adopted, Bill only knew that Maria was an orphan.

Rumors had it that some village elders had taken Maria in when she was younger. Yet as she grew, it seemed they had turned her away, leaving Maria to fend for herself in the village.

Over time, Maria found work and earned money to keep herself afloat.

A nagging suspicion began to form in Julie's mind.