Chapter 335

Helen almost agreed on instinct, but when she caught sight of Anastasia’s utterly calm expression, the words died on her lips. A wave of anxiety crashed over her.
Why wasn’t Anastasia the least bit afraid? Did she have something up her sleeve?
That butler was someone Helen had hired at the last minute-sure, she could pay him to show up again. But if Anastasia happened to recognize anyone from the real wife’s circle and exposed the butler’s fake identity, all her careful scheming would unravel in an instant.
As Helen hesitated, Anastasia’s voice sliced through the silence, icy and impatient. “Well? Why aren’t you calling? Or don’t tell me you don’t have the butler’s number? No matter. Since you managed to get in touch with that mysterious lady before, you can do it again-have her send the butler over.”
Helen hadn’t even had time to muster an excuse before Anastasia blocked off every possible escape route. Her face went rigid. Read complete versıon only at
But seeing Anastasia’s composure only hardened Helen’s resolve-no matter what, she couldn’t let the “butler” show up today.
Her silence, though, sent ripples of suspicion through the crowd.
“What’s taking so long?” someone pressed.
Maggie and Juliet, who both knew the true identity of the “real wife,” exchanged meaningful glances. Maggie murmured, “Don’t tell me this butler is a fake
Juliet picked up the thread instantly. “Exactly. It’s not impossible that someone hired a phony butler just to frame Anastasia.”
Their hints sent the others’ imaginations spinning in the same direction.
A cold sweat broke out on Helen’s brow. She shot a pleading look at Shirley, desperate for help.
Shirley’s lips curled in a cold, derisive smile. “So, Anastasia, what you’re really saying is that you’ve been falsely accused? That man is really your boyfriend?”
Anastasia lifted her gaze. “If he’s not mine, could he possibly be yours?”
Shirley snorted. “Fine. I’ll give you a chance to clear your name!” A malicious glint flickered in her eyes.
Anastasia could see right through her Shirley was up to no good. But she wasn’t rattled; after all, she was the legendary “real wife” everyone whispered about.
She gave a half-smile. “I’m listening.”
Shirley announced, “Three days from now, I’ll be hosting a party. Since you claim that man isn’t your sugar daddy but your legitimate boyfriend, bring him with you. I’ll be inviting many people from Fairhaven’s upper crust-surely some of them know this ‘boyfriend’ of yours. Then we’ll all see if he’s truly your boyfriend or just a sponsor keeping you.”
As soon as she finished, Juliet and the others glanced at Shirley, their expressions mixed with disbelief and amusement.
Anastasia’s own gaze lingered on Shirley, caught somewhere between exasperation and incredulity.
But Shirley mistook Anastasia’s silence for fear, letting out a cold laugh. “What’s wrong? Scared? I knew it. You’re just a kept woman who can’t show her face in public, aren’t you?”
Anastasia never expected Shirley to offer such an “opportunity.” With the cards in her own favor, Anastasia had countless ways to prove her relationship with Harrison was genuine—she hardly needed Shirley to hand her this golden ticket. Still, she decided to accept Shirley’s “generosity” for once.
“Absolutely,” she replied, lips curving into a cool smile.
Turning to Shirley, she thanked her with mock sincerity, “Thank you so much for the invitation, Ms. West. I’m looking forward to the party-in three days’ time.”
With that, she let go of Helen, gathered her things, and swept out of the room with her entourage.