Madam Hao sighed and took a seat opposite Maria, her hands resting on her knees. "Your father was a good man. He deserved better than what this village did to him."
Maria's jaw tightened, the familiar anger bubbling up within her. "I know. That's why I'm doing this. They need to pay for what they've done."
Madam Hao reached out, placing a hand on Maria's. "Just be careful, dear. Vengeance can be a dangerous path."
Maria looked at the older woman, her eyes softening for a moment. "I understand the risks. But this isn't just about revenge. It's about justice. They can't keep getting away with their corruption and cruelty."
Madam Hao's eyes flickered with a hint of pain. "I loved your father, you know. When he entered the brothel to work, I was just a small worker then. Slowly, I fell in love with him, and I raised you as my own daughter. But I was never brave enough to tell him how I felt. I lost my chance."
