Chapter 259

She glanced over at Mary. “Did you hear me? Let go of her! Don’t stand in Mary’s way if she’s so eager to throw her life away!”
Even Mr. Harrison Lancaster had praised the lady’s sense and composure-what servant would dare defy her now? They immediately let go, stepping back in a rush.
Anastasia watched Mary, who stood frozen in place. Her tone was almost gentle. “There, Mary. No one’s holding you back anymore. Go ahead-run into that wall, if that’s what you want.”
Mary met the girl’s eyes, and a chill crept up her spine.
She could see it clearly-Anastasia wasn’t bluffing. She really would stand there, calmly watching as Mary smashed herself to death against the wall.
And Mr. Harrison Lancaster? His gaze was so cold, so merciless. He would absolutely let her die, just to please this girl.
“Mary, what are you waiting for?” Anastasia’s smile turned icy.
Mary’s lips trembled. “My Lady
“Do it!” Anastasia’s face hardened. “Weren’t you desperate a moment ago, begging everyone not to stop you? Well, no one’s stopping you now. Why the hesitation?”
She paused, then added coolly, “Or if you’re too weak, I can have someone help you along.”
As she spoke, she shot a look at the servants.
Mary finally broke. With a loud thud, she collapsed to her knees at Anastasia’s
feet, sobbing uncontrollably. “Please, my Lady! Please, have mercy on me and my daughter!”
Alice, terrified, began to wail as well. “Please, Lady! Anastasia wants to kill my mother!”
The Lady’s anger reached its breaking point.
“Anastasia! Do you have any respect for me at all? Someone-!”
“Grandmother.” Harrison’s voice cut through the chaos.
“Harrison, what do you want now? Don’t interfere! Anastasia is out of control-she needs to be taught a lesson!”
“She has the courage to act this way because I stand behind her,” Harrison replied evenly. “Unless you want to discipline me as well?”
“You-!”
“Grandmother, do you even know what Alice has done?” Anastasia spoke, interrupting the brewing argument.
The Lady snapped back, “What could Alice possibly have done? You’re talking about the incident at school, aren’t you? All she did was steal a bit of your spotlight. Is that really worth pushing Mary to her death?”
Just stole a bit of her spotlight?
Anastasia let out a silent, bitter laugh and looked over at Alice.
Alice couldn’t even meet her gaze.
Of course, Anastasia thought. She doesn’t have the guts to tell the Lady the truth.
Realizing that perhaps the Lady’s attitude came from being misled, Anastasia felt a little less resentful.
“Alice, why don’t you tell everyone-how exactly did you steal my spotlight?” Instantly, all eyes in the room turned to Alice.
She shrank, her head bowed, crying pitifully. “I know you resent me, but I never meant to take your place. It was all Mr. Pierce’s doing
“Enough!” the Lady barked. “Alice already explained this to me. That vice principal arranged everything-she didn’t even know the place was meant for you. If you have a problem, take it up with the vice principal. Why are you taking it out on Alice?”
A look of relief flashed across Alice’s face, and out of the Lady’s sight, she shot Anastasia a triumphant, taunting smile.
Anastasia’s eyes narrowed, cold and sharp. She was about to speak, but Harrison reached over and took her hand, stopping her.
He leaned back on the sofa, exuding an effortless authority, and positioned her wheelchair close beside him.
His gaze, intimidating despite its calmness, landed on Alice. “Alice, I have a few questions for you.” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
Alice’s heart seized in her chest. She didn’t dare look up to meet his eyes.
“Yes, Mr. Lancaster,” she stammered.
“First,” Harrison began, “why would Mr. Pierce go out of his way to please you- why would he give you Ana’s place in the first place?”