Chapter 100
Julian slammed his hand on the table, his voice rising in anger. “And now you want Delia to hand over a million dollars to her? All these years, what has she even done-bought Delia a few trinkets? It’s bad enough to expect your cousin to pay you back for gifts, but what could possibly be worth a million?”
He turned to the head of the table, voice trembling with indignation. “Gabriel, Nora, Anastasia’s getting completely out of control! You two have got to rein her in this time!”
Nora glanced at her husband, her sigh heavy with resignation. “She’s not really my daughter. Lately, Anastasia’s been holding some kind of grudge against me. Who am I to discipline her?”
Gabriel, who had been frowning, wavering between irritation and uncertainty, snapped at that. “And why can’t you? You’ve raised her for years-what’s the difference? If that ungrateful girl dares to disrespect you, I’ll show her what discipline means!”
At that, the corner of Nora’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
Just then, the door opened and Anastasia walked in.
Seeing the whole family assembled, she couldn’t help but let a mocking smile flicker across her lips. Before anyone else could say a word, she seized the initiative.
“Well, since everyone’s here, is my million dollars ready?”
Gabriel, stung by her insolence, slammed the table so hard the dishes rattled. “Anastasia! I was beginning to wonder if maybe your cousin had wronged you, but now I see you’re fully capable of such a thing! Apologize to Delia. Now!”
Anastasia sauntered over and settled into a chair. “Apologize? For what, exactly?”
Gabriel’s face darkened. “You knew Delia didn’t bring her wallet, but convinced her to buy something worth over a hundred thousand, then refused to help her pay when the bill came. She was nearly detained by the shop. And you don’t think that deserves an apology?”
Anastasia snorted, glancing coldly at Delia. “I tricked you into buying something? That’s news to me.”
Delia shrank under her gaze, unable to meet her eyes.
Penelope immediately stepped forward, throwing an arm protectively around
Delia. “Anastasia! How can you threaten Delia like that? Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunt- aren’t you going to say something?”
Anastasia’s lips curled. A simple question, and suddenly Penelope was accusing her of threats?
Donna burst into tears. “If she dares act like this in front of us, who knows how she bullies Delia behind our backs!”
Julian jumped back in, voice sharp. “Gabriel, Nora, are you just going to sit and watch?”
“An apology isn’t enough. That hundred and forty-four thousand? We expect full compensation!”
“That’s right,” Donna echoed. “Anastasia set Delia up-why should our family take the loss?”
The couple took turns, each more self-righteous and shameless than the other.
Anastasia’s smile grew frosty. Of course. Every time they found an excuse, this family would squeeze the Sterlings-and her for all they were worth, as if bleeding them dry was their God-given right. With the perfect opportunity laid out before them, why would they ever let it go?
If all they wanted was an apology, why show up in full force? In the end, it was always about money.
She sat in silence, her eyes hard and mocking as she glanced across the table at Gabriel and Nora.
As expected, Nora was the first to speak up.
She turned to Julian and Donna, her tone gentle but firm. “Don’t worry. Anastasia is a sensible girl. If she realizes she’s made a mistake, she’ll take responsibility. She’ll make sure you’re reimbursed every cent.” The rıghtful source is ÍŸ.net
Outwardly, Nora sounded like she was defending Anastasia, but her words made it clear: the blame belonged to Anastasia, and the decision was made-she would pay them back. Anastasia hadn’t even had a chance to open her mouth, and Nora had already promised away over a hundred thousand on her behalf.