Chapter 79

Harrison turned his head by chance, catching a glimpse that made him pause. For a fleeting moment, a gentle softness softened the harsh lines of his brow, though he didn’t notice it himself.
Anastasia’s good mood lasted all the way back to Rosewood Manor.
They had just stepped inside when Mary’s tearful voice rang out. “Mr. Lancaster! My daughter Alice is innocent!”
Alice, who was supposed to have left already, stood off to the side with red-
rimmed eyes.
Anastasia’s smile vanished instantly.
After everything that had happened, Alice still wanted to claim she was wrongly accused? Anastasia was curious to see what story they’d spin this time.
She nudged Harrison’s wheelchair closer, then settled gracefully onto the sofa beside him. Only then did she glance at Mary and her daughter, her voice cool and composed. “Go on, let’s hear it.”
A simple phrase, but it carried an unmistakable air of authority.
Mary’s face darkened.
She might be a housekeeper, but her family had done favors for the Lady of the house. How dare Anastasia treat her so dismissively?
“Madam, I’m speaking to Mr. Lancaster,” Mary replied, her tone stiff and cold.
Anastasia gave her a light, amused smile. “So you mean I’m not qualified to speak with you, Mary?”
Mary was momentarily lost for words.
That *was* exactly what she meant, but she didn’t dare admit it out loud.
She turned to Harrison. “Mr. Lancaster-”
“Speak to my wife,” Harrison interrupted, barely glancing up from his phone. “Alice entered her room and touched her phone. If you have a problem, take it up with her.”
He ended a call with a flick of his thumb, then told Anastasia, “Aside from me, no one in this house is in a position to contradict you. Do whatever you see fit.”
With that, he ordered, “Logan, take me to the study.”
Logan responded at once.
Anastasia’s lips curved in a relaxed smile as she lounged back, crossing her legs elegantly. She nodded toward Mary. “Go on, Mary. I’m listening.”
Mary’s expression soured. Harrison’s words made it clear-Anastasia’s position in this house was not something she could challenge.
Mary straightened, her voice brittle. “If Madam insists, then I’ll say it. I know you’ve never liked Alice, but you can’t frame her like this-trying to drive her out of Rosewood Manor on a trumped-up charge!”
Anastasia remained calm, not angry nor in any rush to retort. She simply nodded. “All right. Then why don’t you tell me how your daughter’s been wronged?”
Mary nudged Alice, who quickly spoke up. “I didn’t steal the phone! When I saw it, it was already lying on the desk. I wasn’t going to touch it, but then a message popped up. I accidentally glanced at it and saw Mr. Lancaster’s name. I got worried something was wrong, so I dared to look through it… I know Madam blames me for telling Mr. Lancaster about those texts, but that’s no reason to slander me like this!”
Mary jumped in, her tone indignant. “If Madam wants to accuse someone, at least make it believable! How would Alice have a key to your drawer? Why would she go through your phone for no reason? How could she have possibly known what was in those messages ahead of time?”
“Finished?” Anastasia lifted her gaze, her eyes bright and striking, but the faint curve on her lips held the slightest trace of mockery.
“Yes, finished. And Madam, you’d better apologize to my daughter. If you don’t, I’ll have no choice but to ask Lady Lancaster to settle this fairly!”
The threat was brazen.
Anastasia didn’t bother responding. She crossed her legs, poised and
unbothered. “You’re both aware there are security cameras in my room, aren’t you?” Newest update provıded by.net
At that, Alice’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.