Chapter 18

“Mr. Lancaster! We were just following Alice’s orders-she told us to help clean her room! We don’t know anything about this, I swear!”
The maids remembered how little the previous mistresses were respected, and how Alice held so much sway with Lady Lancaster. Siding with Alice had seemed like a smart move, a shortcut to favor. Who could’ve guessed things would turn out this way?
Wasn’t Mr. Lancaster the type to ignore all this, before?
Their excuses sounded pitiful and desperate.
Harrison didn’t spare them so much as a glance. He simply turned his head slightly and said to Logan, “Tell Mary to deal with them later.”
Logan nodded at once.
The two maids were wracked with regret-they knew they were finished.
Anastasia, feeling a secret thrill, hurried over and took over for Logan, pushing Harrison’s wheelchair herself. As she did, she asked brightly, “Where did you just go?”
Thomas, hovering nearby, cut in, “Mr. Lancaster’s business is confidential. You shouldn’t ask, ma’am.”
His impression of her had soured thanks to the Alice incident.
Anastasia rolled her eyes inwardly, then shot back without hesitation, “Oh, so you do know I’m Mrs. Lancaster? Then why are you butting in when I’m talking to my husband?”
“You-!”
“That’s enough,” Harrison said coolly. The warning in his voice was unmistakable. Thomas fell silent at once.
Anastasia gave a triumphant little huff, holding her chin high as if she’d just won a battle.
Thomas’s expression soured, but Anastasia paid him no mind. She turned her attention back to Harrison, trying to subtly find out where he’d been.
But Harrison didn’t answer her, only saying, “Go do your own thing. Let Logan push me I need to take care of some work in the study.”
His tone was patient, even gentle, but there was no room for negotiation.
Logan stepped in to take the wheelchair from her. Anastasia felt a pang of disappointment-he still didn’t trust her with this much.
She didn’t dare press further; Harrison was too perceptive. If he thought she had an ulterior motive, she’d be in real trouble.
Forget it. There was plenty of time. The one who would one day betray him-the one who’d cause him to lose his leg-wasn’t even in the picture yet. No need to worry herself to death.
Still…
As Harrison was about to enter the elevator, she dashed after him.
“Sweetheart-!”
The wheelchair came to a halt. Harrison turned. “What is it?”
“Will you have dinner with me tonight?” Anastasia looked up at him hopefully, her voice soft and cajoling.
She didn’t want to sit alone in that huge dining room. She wanted him there with her.
He looked at her in silence for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Alright.”
“No take-backs!” Anastasia grinned in delight.
Some of the severity in his features softened. “I won’t.” Latest content publıshed on
She watched him disappear into the elevator, then practically skipped upstairs.
With Harrison’s orders, her room was soon restored to the way it had been. As she reached the landing, she caught sight of Alice, clutching her own belongings and stalking off toward the guest room, her face thunderous.
Alice spotted her too. She stomped over, a sneer already curling on her lips.
But Anastasia beat her to the punch, drawling, “Before you say anything, you might want to think it over. After all, as Mrs. Lancaster, if you really get on my nerves, I’m pretty sure I have the power to kick a servant’s daughter out of this house. Don’t you think?”
Alice’s words caught in her throat, her face turning red. “You-!”
“Me, what? Move aside you’re blocking my way. Didn’t Mary teach you how to read the room?”
Alice looked like she might explode.
Anastasia couldn’t have cared less. She strode into her room without another glance.
But Alice’s voice, dripping with malice, followed her down the hall—
“You really think Mr. Lancaster cares about you? Just wait and see how you end up!”
“Will it be the psychiatric ward that comes for you, or an ambulance?”