458 A Sinister Arrival

Grace’s quick confession wrapped up the case, and both she and Sophia were detained by the police under charges of endangering public safety. They were given a thorough lecture, though whether Grace was listening was another story.

After hours of stern education, the young officer was exhausted. He downed a large cup of tea and sighed, “You were once family, right? Couldn’t you all just sit down and talk things through? And you, you’re in your fifties or sixties now. Why haven’t you taught your daughter anything good?”

Grace forced a smile, embarrassment clear on her face. “Our situation is complicated. It’s not something that can be explained in a few words. Sure, I was wrong to set the fire, but there’s always a cause for everything. I was forced into a corner. You saw it when you came to arrest us, didn’t you? My daughter and I used to live well, but now we’re reduced to cleaning in nightclubs. I used to be a wealthy lady!”