Chapter 3

If none of us had problems with our sense of smell, then something was seriously wrong with Clara's scent!

The bizarre situation made me deeply worried about her health.

The next day, I deliberately booked a luxurious dinner at a hotel, opened an expensive bottle of wine, and presented each of Clara's roommates with an exquisite gift.

Once I had won them over, I said kindly at the dinner table:

"I bought those smelly things today because I found traces of rats and wanted to use them to lure the rats out and get rid of them."

"If you don't mind, tomorrow, while you're at class, could I have a cleaning company come in for a thorough clean? I'll cover all the costs, and I'll also pay for a month's worth of groceries—"

Before I could finish, one of Clara's roommates slammed her fork down.

"Ma'am, just say what you mean. There's no need to be so hypocritical."

The other roommates' faces gradually hardened.

"She's right, Ma'am. I know you come from a good family and you look down on this apartment, feeling like Clara is suffering by living here. But we didn't force Clara to stay, you can move out anytime!"

"Hmph, we may be poor, but we're clean. What's the need for a thorough cleaning?"

Faced with their snide comments, Clara's eyes reddened with embarrassment as she quickly explained.

"I don't look down on you, and I'm not planning to move out."

"Mom!"

"If you dislike this place, then just leave. I'm not as dramatic as you are. I love it here, and I'm happy living with them!"

I was utterly bewildered. Why were their reactions so extreme?

My attitude had been good, and I'd even used gifts to soften them up.

Even if I *had* shown some disdain, under normal circumstances, they shouldn't have lashed out at me so directly, right?

Moreover, I'd used rats as an excuse; I hadn't even mentioned the stench!

An inexplicable sense of unease spread through my heart. I couldn't help but suspect that Clara and her roommates were deliberately hiding something.

"Clara, why did you all react so strongly when I suggested a thorough cleaning?"

"Please tell me the truth, okay?"

"I'm your mother. Whatever has happened, I'll understand and protect you."

Back in the bedroom, I prepared to have a heart-to-heart talk with Clara.

In my previous life, even after Clara showered, the foul smell on her hadn't faded at all, which was why I called for professional cleaning.

The result was that they acted like maniacs and literally killed me on the spot!

The experiences of both lives made me almost certain: they were hiding something in the apartment that they dared not let outsiders discover!

"What do you mean?"

"Mom, are you suspecting that we're doing something bad and hiding it from you, that's why you don't want me to get cleaners?"

Clara's eyes were already red, brimming with angry tears.

"Is it because I didn't get into a prestigious university and disappointed you, that you're prejudiced against me now?"

"I'm not smart, but I've tried so hard, Mom!"

"If you don't like me, then just leave! Don't disrupt my life! My roommates might just be ordinary university students you look down on, but I like them very much. Please, don't make them hate me and ruin my friendships, okay?"

I hadn't expected Clara to be so emotional.

Her words were like a knife, sharply piercing my heart.

In the past, I had high expectations of her and was strict, which led to her personality problems.

But I had already realized this and was doing my best to make amends. How could I not like her?

Looking at Clara's tear-filled, red eyes, my heart uncontrollably tightened with sorrow. I hugged her tightly.

The next second.

A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I cried out.

"Clara, what exactly have you been through?"