Chapter Seventy-Five

Back at the brothel, after regaining her voice following the slap, Rie stared at the woman before her and offered a sincere apology. "I'm sorry, mother."

Martha, who turned out to be the woman, glared at her, her disappointment evident. "How dare you, Riley? Or should I say ‘Rie’?"

Riley looked around, feeling at a loss for words. Martha seized her daughter's arm, pulling her closer. "Since when did you start acting as Rie, who appears to be a prostitute?"

"No, Mother, it's not like that," Riley protested. "I only faked my identity and appearance to deceive the woman who left. She's Amira Vanderbilt."

Martha's grip on her daughter's arm loosened slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Amira Vanderbilt?"

"Yes," Riley confirmed. "She's Karina's ex-husband's girlfriend, and possibly his soon-to-be wife."

Martha's expression softened, though skepticism remained. "Why are you working with her?"

"Because she hates Karina as much as we do, probably even more," Riley explained urgently. "Ever