After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Well... no, that won't be necessary. She hasn't been home in a long time. Please tell her that she's welcome here at any time."

After getting those words out in a rush, Julie quickly hung up.

She was a little flustered, but she didn't know why.

"Mom, who are you talking to?"

Vivian walked over with an unhappy expression on her face.

In fact, she had heard her mother's entire phone conversation just now, but she was too embarrassed to admit that she had eavesdropped.

“I... I was chatting with your Aunt Patricia,"

Julie stammered, forcing a smile.

“I want her to come to our house more often.”

Hearing this, Vivian went pale.

Her mother was lying to her about calling Maria just now.

What was going on?

Swallowing hard, Vivian walked away.

After returning to her room, she immediately called her father.

“Dad! Why is Mom doting on Maria all the time these days? Maria is just an adopted daughter. Why does Mom care so much about her? Has she forgotten that she already has me, her biological daughter?"

Maria was actually perplexed to hear from Bill.

This was the first time that he had contacted her since she had moved out of the Jenkins family's house to Live with Anthony.

On the phone, Bill‘s tone was as arrogant as ever, and it even sounded a little hostile.

He warned her over and over that this was supposed to be a private meeting between just the two of them, and that she shouldn't bring Anthony along. He also forbade her from telling Anthony about what they would talk about.

The meeting place Bill chose was Blue Cafe on Green Shade Road.