My mother clearly hadn't expected Mr. Vittori to be so meticulous.
She paused for a moment, then quickly forced a smile back onto her face.
"My youngest daughter Anael is currently staying at her grandmother's house," she said.
"Is that so?" Mr. Vittori asked calmly. "Your shop is always so busy. Why don't you let her stay and help you?"
He pressed the question without letting up.
My mother remained composed.
"It's a long story. It's not that I don't want her to help, but I was worried she might see the synthoid that looks too much like her and end up under psychological stress."
She smiled again and added, "Mr. Vittori, isn't this exactly the dream companion you wanted? Please, just take her and leave."
At first, it seemed like her words were starting to convince him.
But the mor
