Chapter 137

“Oh, look at you your own husband can’t even be bothered to show up for you. Honestly, Mr. Harrison Lancaster clearly couldn’t care less about you! Anastasia, you’re nothing but a cast-off wife!”
When Crystal first heard that Anastasia had managed to marry that powerful man, she’d been eaten up with jealousy. But seeing Anastasia standing all alone at the party tonight, Crystal finally felt a rush of satisfaction.
So much for all that talk of being cherished. Clearly just another rumor Anastasia started herself! Mr. Harrison Lancaster probably doesn’t give her the time of day.
Anastasia didn’t even flinch. Her face was calm, not a flicker of hurt or outrage- just a cool reply: “Maybe think about where your family stands before you talk. Do you really think you’re important enough for my husband to attend? Oh wait-your family couldn’t even get an invitation in front of him if you tried.”
“Anastasia!” Crystal’s voice was shrill with fury.
Her family’s pedigree had always been her pride. Growing up, the Archer family couldn’t compare to the Sterlings; whenever she played with Anastasia, it was always as a tagalong, never an equal. But ever since Cecilia’s passing, the Sterling family had been in steady decline, while the Archer family now stood head and shoulders above them.
Crystal used to love flaunting her status in front of Anastasia, but now, hearing Anastasia belittle her family like this-she couldn’t take it.
She snapped, words tumbling out before she could think: “Mr. Harrison Lancaster? Please. He’s just some old man on his last legs-ah!”
Before she could finish, Anastasia’s hand cracked across Crystal’s face, hard enough to make her stagger.
Gone was the polite smile. Anastasia’s eyes were icy, beautiful as a blooming rose, but with a chill that made everyone’s blood run cold.
“What did you say? Hmm? Go on-say it again if you dare.”
Crystal clung to Penelope for balance, eyes blazing. “You hit me?! What-what did I say wrong? Mr. Harrison Lancaster is just-ah!!”
Her scream rang through the entire ballroom.
Anastasia didn’t hesitate, slapping her a second time, then grabbing a fistful of Crystal’s hair and yanking her forward without mercy.
“Didn’t your mother ever teach you how to speak to people? Don’t worry, I’ll be happy to give you a lesson.”
Her movements were sharp and practiced, her gaze steely and unyielding. The crowd fell silent, stunned by the transformation in her.
Even Penelope was shocked. Was this really the same Anastasia she’d always known?
“Anastasia! What the hell are you doing? Let go of Crystal!” Penelope finally found her voice.
Anastasia’s cold stare snapped in her direction, making Penelope’s heart skip a beat. She instinctively took a step back.
Suddenly, a woman’s panicked scream cut through the tension. “Crystal!
Anastasia, what are you doing? Get your hands off my daughter!” Updates are released by
Mrs. Archer had arrived, Nora at her side.
“Mom! Please help me! Anastasia’s gone crazy-ah!” Crystal sobbed, hair in disarray, mascara streaking down her face, all her earlier arrogance wiped away.
In the glittering center of the grand hall, every eye was fixed on the scene. Anastasia, breathtakingly beautiful, moved with a ruthless calm, dragging the Archer family’s heiress like she was taking out the trash.
When Mrs. Archer stormed over, Anastasia barely glanced up, utterly unfazed. With a flick of her wrist, she sent Crystal stumbling toward her mother.
“Your daughter’s got a filthy mouth. I just taught her some manners-you’re welcome.”
Mrs. Archer was nearly apoplectic with rage. “Anastasia! How dare you!”
She raised her hand, aiming a slap at Anastasia’s delicate, perfect face—