Chapter 373

Cousin.” The word slipped out—something she hadn’t called him in years.
Benson’s sharp, cold gaze showed not a flicker of warmth. “Don’t call me that. I don’t deserve to be addressed as your cousin, Ms. Sterling.”
Anastasia felt her chest tighten at his icy tone.
She knew she’d made countless mistakes over the years, disappointed the Brennans time and again. Fixing this relationship wouldn’t be easy.
Still, facing Benson’s hostility, she couldn’t help but feel a sting of sadness.
Swallowing her emotions, she sat down. “Then why did you ask me here?”
“It’s about Penelope.” For a brief moment, Benson’s voice softened at the mention of her name, but the chill quickly returned. “I don’t care what you’ve done to Penelope in the past, but I expect it to end here. I want you to apologize to her. Right now.”
Anastasia almost laughed. She bullied Penelope? Apologize to her?
What a joke.
“Cousin, I don’t know what she’s been telling you, but I have never bullied her. I have nothing to apologize for.” Thıs content belongs to.net
“Anastasia!” Benson’s impatience was obvious. His phone buzzed, but he ignored the call, cutting her off sharply. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. With Penelope’s personality, do you really expect me to believe she could possibly bully you?”
Right on cue, Penelope shrank back, her expression fragile and pitiful.
Anastasia could barely contain her frustration.
She remembered a time when her cousin would stand in front of her, shielding her from harm. Now, all she saw was Benson’s cold, disdainful glare, and it made her chest ache.
“I’m not apologizing to her,” she said stubbornly, chin lifted. “I haven’t done anything wrong. If anyone here owes an apology, it’s her.”
She shot Penelope a frosty look. Penelope’s face blanched, and she clung to Benson’s sleeve, shrinking behind him as if Anastasia had just threatened her with something truly awful.
Benson’s eyes flashed with anger and a hint of protectiveness. He squeezed Penelope’s hand reassuringly, his voice low and warning. “Anastasia! What are you doing? Are you seriously trying to intimidate her right in front of me?”
He was about to continue when his phone rang again, this time his agent’s name flashing on the screen.
Benson grabbed his phone and stood up, his patience clearly running thin. “When I get back, I expect you to have realized your mistake.”
He softened his tone for Penelope. “Penelope, I’ll just be outside for a moment. Don’t be afraid, I’ll be back soon.”
Penelope looked up at him with wide, vulnerable eyes. “Okay, Ben. Please, come back quickly
Only then did she reluctantly let go of his hand.
Benson strode from the private room, long legs carrying him away without a backward glance.
The moment he was gone, the vulnerability vanished from Penelope’s face.
She flashed Anastasia a triumphant smile. “So, Anastasia, how does it feel?”
Anastasia leaned back in her chair, watching her coldly, utterly unsurprised by the transformation.
Penelope’s heart soared with satisfaction. She’d thought she was cornered, but Benson’s sudden return had flipped the entire situation in her favor.