Chapter 193
A new notification flashed across her phone screen-
[Sonder: I’ve sent you what you asked for.]
She tapped out a quick reply.
[Summer: Thanks!]
Since Penelope and Samuel had gotten involved, no matter how careful they thought they were, there was bound to be some trace left behind.
So she’d enlisted help-Sonder, a hacker and a close friend from her previous life.
They’d met by chance online, once promising to meet in person, but then Sonder had vanished without warning. Not long after, she died.
Now, back in this life, Anastasia had managed to track her down again through the web.
Her phone buzzed once more.
[Sonder: About that other favor you asked—no news yet.]
[Sonder: Back then, Cecilia was in the spotlight. A lot of people had their sights set on her. I can’t say for sure it was Nora.]
[Sonder: So far, I haven’t found anything online, which makes me think the mastermind and the killer struck a deal offline.]
A chill flickered through Anastasia’s eyes, her grip on the phone tightening until it nearly cracked.
[Summer: It’s okay. Take your time. I’m not in a rush.]
She put her phone away, feeling her mood sour.
No matter if Nora was involved or not, her mother’s death had never been an accident.
She would find out who did it no matter what.
“What’s wrong?” Juliet’s voice was gentle but worried, her eyes fixed on Anastasia.
Anastasia forced herself to sound casual, pressing her emotions down. “It’s nothing
“Anastasia.” The voice she hated most cut through the air.
Penelope.
She was flanked by a small entourage. Anastasia took a closer look-none of them were the familiar faces from before.
Back then, Penelope used to hint to everyone that she was the Sterling family’s true heiress, and plenty of people had flocked to her. Now that the truth was out, most of them had drifted away.
The girls trailing after her now looked vaguely familiar to Anastasia-girls from modest backgrounds, desperate to seem important.
So this is what it’s come to, she thought. Without the Sterling family’s glittering title, even Penelope’s hangers-on have dropped in quality. Google seaʀᴄh
“Anastasia, it’s Monday. Did you find any proof?” Penelope stepped forward, trying to sound bold.
Anastasia replied coolly, “What’s the rush?”
Penelope’s nerves had been frayed, but at that answer, she felt a surge of relief.
So she’d guessed right-Anastasia had nothing! She was bluffing all along! “There’s no real evidence, is there? Because I’m innocent,” Penelope declared, her confidence restored. “Anastasia, I want an apology!”
“That’s right, you owe Penelope an apology!”
“Even if you’re the real Sterling heiress, you can’t just accuse people without proof!”
Her new followers chimed in, emboldened.
Juliet bristled with anger. “My cousin never accused her of anything she didn’t do! Why should she apologize?”
“If she didn’t, then where’s the proof?” one of the girls shot back.
Juliet fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Anastasia placed a calming hand on Juliet’s shoulder. She lifted her chin, locking eyes with Penelope. “Proof? Of course I have proof. I hope you’re ready for it.”
“After all… today might just be your last day at Kingsbridge University.”
With that, she took Juliet’s hand and walked away.
Penelope stood frozen, Anastasia’s words echoing in her mind. For a moment, unease twisted in her chest.
But she quickly forced herself to calm down. Anastasia was just bluffing-she had to be!
If she really had any evidence, why hadn’t she shown it already?