Chapter 218

The Sterling family was in chaos.
Penelope was beside herself, her eyes swollen and red from crying.
Gabriel paced anxiously, his phone glued to his ear, making call after call.
How had it come to this? Why on earth had Mr. Harrison Lancaster taken Nora away? And what exactly had Nora done? The rıghtful source is.net
Suddenly, a maid burst into the room.
“Sir, Madam-she’s back! Madam’s back!”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the front door swung open. Anastasia strode in first, calm and unhurried, her steps measured and serene.
Behind her, Nora was carried in on a stretcher, barely conscious and covered in blood.
“Mom!” Penelope screamed, rushing to her mother’s side.
She took one look at Nora’s battered body and recoiled, too afraid to even touch her. Penelope turned, her glare filled with accusation and hatred as she fixed it on Anastasia.
“Anastasia! How could you be so cruel? After everything my mom’s done for you, how could you do this to her?!”
Tears streamed down her face as she turned to Gabriel. “Dad, look! Mom’s dying -Anastasia did this to her!”
Gabriel stared at Nora’s bloodied figure, stunned.
His feelings for Nora had cooled over the years, but seeing her like this still stirred something inside him. Rage took over as he jabbed a finger at Anastasia.
“Even if Mrs. Sinclair has made mistakes, how could you do something so vicious?!”
Unfazed, Anastasia settled onto the sofa, lounging back and crossing her long legs.
“I didn’t lay a hand on anyone,” she said coolly. “If you’ve got a problem, take it up with Mr. Harrison Lancaster.”
At the mention of Harrison’s name, it was as if ice water had been dumped over Gabriel’s head. All at once, he snapped back to reality.
“What-why would Mr. Harrison Lancaster do this to Mrs. Sinclair?”
Anastasia’s lips curled into a frosty smile. “Why? Nora tried to set me up, tried to throw me into another man’s arms and make a fool out of Harrison. Did you really think he’d let her walk away unscathed? Honestly, the fact that she’s still alive is more mercy than she deserves.”
Gabriel’s face drained of color. “What are you saying
Anastasia’s tone was frigid. “I came here today to warn you: if you want to see the Sterling family ruined, if you want to drag yourself down with her, then by all means, keep covering for Nora. But tell me how many more times do you think the Sterlings can survive her schemes?”
“This time, it was only my plea that convinced Mr. Lancaster not to drag your whole family down. Next time? I won’t be so generous.”
She had touched on the one thing Gabriel cared about most. As her words echoed in the room, Gabriel’s face went ashen.
“Darling, please, don’t listen to this little witch-she’s making it all up!” Nora croaked from the stretcher, struggling to sit up and grab Gabriel’s sleeve.
But before she could even touch him, a sharp slap cracked across her face.
“Shut up! You wretch!” Gabriel roared, seizing her by the hair. “Who gave you the nerve to cross Mr. Lancaster? Are you trying to destroy the family-trying to get me killed?!”
“Dad, stop! Don’t hit Mom!” Penelope cried, throwing herself between them. “How can you believe anything Anastasia says? She hates Mom-she’s always looking for ways to get rid of her-”
Before she could finish, Gabriel’s hand lashed out again, striking Penelope hard across the cheek.
“You shut your mouth too!”
Penelope, who’d been the apple of Gabriel’s eye her whole life, could only stare at him in shock, her hand pressed to her burning cheek.
“Nora, stop pretending-you’re not dying. Get up! I want a divorce-do you hear me?!”
As the Sterling household descended into complete turmoil, Anastasia sat quietly off to the side, the faintest hint of a smile playing on her lips. She watched the show for a while, then finally rose and left, satisfied.