Unmasking Mrs. Newton's Secret Identities novel Chapter 1638

Before Helen could respond, Mia took Sienna by the hand and strode inside, her face a picture of indignation.

In fluent Sapanic, she firmly countered, "Let me be clear—you're in Grand Cathay, not Sapan. If you have no respect for our country, then maybe you should go back where you came from!"

Mia's popularity had surged after winning a recent reality show.

Seeing that she was on the brink of clashing with Gabriela, the staff quickly intervened to smooth things over. "Ms. Jacinto, welcome! Your seat is right this way, please."

At that moment, Helen stepped into the room, accompanied by Lincoln and Ivy.

Seeing the Cathayan woman standing submissively beside Gabriela, Helen shook her head, letting out a disapproving sigh.

There was some distance between them, and the woman looked like a weathered middle-aged figure. Helen recognized her instantly—it was Gloria.

In just seven years, Gloria had gone from a spirited, ambitious young woman to a defeated figure. It was a heartbreaking transformation.

What Helen found even harder to accept was that Gloria—who had once vowed to protect Grand Cathay's embroidery heritage—was now complicit in distorting the truth alongside the Sapanians.

Helen didn't want to believe she had misjudged Gloria, but the reality before her left no room for doubt.

Walking up to Gloria, Helen spoke in a calm, measured tone. "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Ms. Gloria Hathaway, the sole heir to a long line of embroidery artisans. What brings you here?"

"She's my assistant!" Gabriela interjected, her eyes flashing with contempt. "Gloria is now a Sapanian citizen. Embroidery is a tradition of Sapan, not Grand Cathay. If anyone's mistaken here, it's you."

Helen gave Gabriela a cold, sidelong glance before refocusing on Gloria, her expression firm as she waited for an explanation.

As Helen watched them go, a sense of regret settled in her heart.

"It's unfortunate," Mia said, her voice laced with sympathy. "No one in Grand Cathay has been able to uphold the embroidery tradition, so it's no wonder the Sapanians feel so emboldened."

"Their arrogance is fleeting," Helen replied, her voice steady with conviction. "Throughout history, no invader has ever trampled on the land of their victims without facing repercussions. Grand Cathay is a formidable country—it's only a matter of time before the Sapanians learn their place."

As Mia observed the fierce conviction in Kaylee's eyes, a flood of memories washed over her. She was so much like Helen—exactly like her.

Feeling the weight of Mia's intense gaze, Helen turned to her in surprise. "What's the matter?"

A trace of melancholy crossed Mia's face as she offered a hesitant smile. "You remind me of someone I used to know. She was just like you—her eyes were always filled with such determination."