Chapter 401

Penny’s face flushed bright red. “You-”
“What’s going on out here?”
Before she could finish, a woman’s voice interrupted-gentle, yet unmistakably commanding.
It was Winni Brennan.
Penny’s expression shifted instantly, embarrassment and grievance written all over her face. “Mrs. Brennan, you have to see this! Ms. Sterling showed up and insisted on coming in. When I refused, she mocked Lauren and said she wasn’t good enough for the Brennans!”
Winni’s face darkened as she strode forward.
She fixed her gaze on Anastasia Sterling. “Why are you here?”
Anastasia spoke earnestly. “Aunt Winni, I heard Grandpa’s unwell, so I came to see him.”
Winni didn’t hesitate for even a second. Her tone was ice-cold. “He doesn’t need you visiting. In fact, the sight of you will probably make him worse.”
Anastasia faltered, her expression tightening.
“Aunt-”
“Just leave. The Brennan family doesn’t welcome you.” Winni’s voice was as unyielding as steel, and with that, she turned and walked back inside.
Anastasia let out a silent sigh.
Of all the people she could’ve run into, it just had to be Winni. Given how much her aunt loathed her, there was no chance she’d get through the door today.
She lingered at the entrance for another minute or two, but eventually had to admit defeat.
She instructed her driver to carry over the gifts she’d so carefully prepared, arranging them by the door. Then she turned to one of the maids standing behind Penny. “These are for Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Murray, Aunt Winni, and my cousins. I won’t be coming in-please take them inside.”
She masked her disappointment, offered a polite nod, and walked away.
The maid, unable to decide on her own, hurried inside to ask Winni.
Winni’s response was cold and immediate. “Throw them all out! Does the Brennan family need any of that?”
With that, she marched upstairs.
Just then, Lauren Brennan appeared, watching Winni’s retreating figure before turning to the maid. “What happened?”
The maid lowered her voice. “Ms. Anastasia Sterling came by. Mrs. Brennan wouldn’t let her in, and she said to throw away all the gifts she left.”
Relief flickered in Lauren’s eyes, and she let out a faint smile. “Toss them. The Brennans certainly don’t need any of that.”
She was heading out anyway, so she made her way to the door.
There were so many gifts that the maids struggled to manage them all. As Lauren
walked past, one of the maids accidentally tipped over a box.
A beautifully wrapped, centuries-old ginseng root rolled out.
Lauren paused, her eyes glinting with interest.
She suddenly said, “No need to go through the trouble of hauling it all out. Just split the gifts among yourselves.”
The maids lit up with delight. “Thank you, Ms. Brennan!” Read full story at.net
Lauren smiled faintly, stooping to pick up the ginseng. As she turned to head back inside, she added, “Don’t mention Anastasia’s visit or her gifts to Grandpa or Grandma. You all know-they don’t acknowledge her as their granddaughter anymore. No need to upset them.”
The maids nodded obediently.
A few noticed the ginseng in Lauren’s hand, but wisely kept quiet.
In the Brennan family, Anastasia was ancient history-Lauren was the family’s favored daughter now.
That evening, Lauren personally prepared a ginseng tonic for Mr. Brennan.
After the first sip, he looked up in surprise. “This ginseng has to be at least five hundred years old! Where on earth did you get it?”
The Brennans had their share of rare treasures, but something like this was hardly an everyday offering.
Usually so aloof, Lauren was gentle and obedient in front of her grandfather. “I’ve been worried about your health while I was away, so I went out of my way to get it for you.”