Chapter 138

Anastasia’s eyes turned icy in a heartbeat. Then, suddenly, she smiled-cool and fearless, not budging an inch. “Go ahead. I dare you to lay a finger on me.”
That single sentence was enough to freeze Mrs. Archer’s hand in midair.
There was a chill in Anastasia’s gaze that snapped Mrs. Archer back to her senses. This girl wasn’t the pitiful child once bullied by a stepmother. Not anymore. Now, she was Harrison Lancaster’s woman.
If she so much as harmed a hair on Anastasia’s head, Harrison could wipe the Archer family off the map with a single word. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
As Mrs. Archer’s face drained of color, realization dawning, Anastasia offered a polite, almost mocking smile. With effortless grace, she said, “I need to get a drink. If you’ll excuse me.”
She turned and swept out of the room, head held high.
“Mom!” Crystal clung to her mother’s arm, her tear-streaked face twisted in resentment. “She did this to me! How can you just let her get away with it?”
Mrs. Archer’s heart ached for her daughter. She gave a cold, bitter laugh. “Don’t worry. Sooner or later, someone will put that little tramp in her place.”
She exchanged a knowing glance with Nora.
After calming Crystal, Mrs. Archer and Nora slipped out together.
“Are you sure Mr. Harrison Lancaster is coming?” Nora whispered.
Mrs. Archer smirked. “I switched the invitation myself. Didn’t you say he’s got a
soft spot for that wretched girl? Trust me he’s almost certain to show up.”
Her tone turned venomous. “She’s just like her mother. Always knew how to seduce men.”
Mrs. Archer bore no personal grudge against Anastasia, but she hated Anastasia’s mother, Cecilia, with a passion. Back then, her own husband had been infatuated with Cecilia, and only settled for Mrs. Archer after he couldn’t have her.
That hatred for Cecilia also made Mrs. Archer rather fond of Nora, who had later married Gabriel, essentially taking Cecilia’s husband for herself. Now, the two women called each other close friends.
Suddenly, a servant hurried over and murmured, “Ma’am, Mr. Harrison Lancaster has arrived.”
Mrs. Archer and Nora shared a quick glance, their lips curling into identical smiles -equal parts anticipation and malice gleaming in their eyes.
With Harrison here, half their plan was already a success.
After tonight, there might not be a Mrs. Lancaster Anastasia anymore.
Downstairs, Anastasia took a slow turn around the ballroom, mingling with the guests. Suddenly, a waiter approached her.
“Ms. Sterling, your mother would like to speak with you. She says it’s important.”
Anastasia’s eyes flickered, her expression darkening for a brief moment.
So, it’s finally happening.
Just like last time. Same moment, same words.
She set down her glass of juice and rose from her seat, calm and unhurried. “Lead the way.”
A few minutes later, the waiter brought her to a lounge upstairs.
“Mrs. Sterling will be here shortly. She asks if you’d kindly wait inside.”
Anastasia stepped in.
A split second later, there was a sharp click-the door locked from the outside.
She didn’t even flinch. No surprise crossed her face.
Everything was unfolding exactly as it had in her past life.
The room smelled faintly of incense-pleasant enough that most people would think the host had good taste. But Anastasia strode over and snuffed it out without a second thought.
She settled into a chair, crossed her legs, and leaned back, pulling out her phone.
No signal. A jammer must’ve been set up outside. Unbothered, she launched a single-player game that didn’t need internet.
Twenty minutes or so passed. She cleared the final level just as the door clicked open again.
Outside the room, Nora checked her watch and finally unlocked the door, feeling confident that everything had gone according to plan.
“Mrs. Sinclair, what took you so long?” Anastasia’s voice drifted out, playful and unhurried. “I was beginning to think you’d stood me up.”