Chapter 30

When Anastasia was about to leave, she made a special detour to the study. Leaning in the doorway, she called out, “Honey, I’m heading out!”
Harrison nodded without looking up. “Alright, have a good time.”
But Anastasia didn’t move. She lingered in the doorway, fingers tracing the frame.
Harrison finally glanced up from his desk. “What is it?”
She hesitated, cheeks coloring, but her words came out straightforward and earnest. “Why aren’t you calling me Ana anymore?” She gazed at him with hopeful eyes, her shyness barely masking her anticipation. “I like it when you call me that.”
Harrison’s breath caught faintly. He looked at the girl waiting so expectantly in the doorway, his gaze unfathomably deep. After a moment-
“Ana.”
His voice was low, tinged with reluctant affection.
Anastasia’s whole face lit up with a dazzling smile. “Okay, I’m off, then!”
She lifted her skirt and practically skipped away, her joy unmistakable.
Harrison watched her cheerful figure as she disappeared down the hallway, a quiet intensity in his eyes. Only when she was completely out of sight did he turn back to his paperwork, though he found it impossible to concentrate.
“Look into how she’s been all these years with the Sterlings,” he instructed quietly.
He needed to know what kind of life she’d had with them.
Logan nodded and left to carry out the order.
Fairhaven Suites
This was the venue for Nora’s birthday party, and though the event had yet to begin, the grand hall was already buzzing with guests.
Penelope, elegantly dressed, was surrounded by several young socialites, all dripping with diamonds and idle gossip.
“Anastasia isn’t here yet?” Updates are released by.net
“She’s really going to wear that outfit?”
“This one’s even worse than last time. Just thinking about it makes my eyes hurt!”
“Seriously, your family’s going to be the laughingstock because of her!”
Their voices dripped with disdain whenever Anastasia’s name came up.
This was no accident-Penelope had already shared a photo in their group chat, supposedly of the dress Anastasia would be wearing tonight. She was certain, as always, that Anastasia would obediently follow her instructions, so she hadn’t hesitated to spread the word and stir up anticipation for the spectacle.
Penelope secretly relished their reactions as they took turns tearing Anastasia down.
“It’s your mother’s birthday party. Are you really going to let her make a scene like this?” one girl chided.
Penelope forced a bitter smile. “I tried to stop her, but she just wouldn’t listen. She insisted on wearing it
“If you ask me, she shouldn’t have been invited at all! Her showing up is practically ruining the whole party. It’s your mother’s birthday, for heaven’s sake!”
Penelope’s lips curled ever so slightly, but out loud she just sighed in helpless resignation. “Anastasia is still my sister, after all. It’s my mom’s birthday—how could she not come? If she ends up embarrassing herself, I can only hope you’ll all be understanding.”
Her friends shook their heads, exasperated. “Penelope, you’re way too nice! She’s not even your real sister. Why bother? She doesn’t belong in our circle. Let her fend for herself from now on!”
In their eagerness to scorn Anastasia, they seemed to forget that Penelope was not the Sterling family’s real daughter-Anastasia was. Penelope was just the stepdaughter. If anyone didn’t truly belong in this world, it was Penelope herself. But Penelope acted as if she’d forgotten that, too, showing only a mask of helplessness and not uttering a word of protest.
Amid the chatter, someone suddenly hurried over, breathless. “Anastasia’s here!”
All eyes lit up, faces brightening with anticipation for the spectacle.
“She’s here! Oh, my eyes are already bracing for the worst!”
“Should’ve brought some eye drops tonight.”
“Wonder what kind of makeup disaster she’s sporting this time?”
“It’s bound to be hideous. Remember last time? All that goth and punk mess. Why
does she torture us like this?”
“She doesn’t belong at a party like this-she’d be better off joining a circus. They’d welcome her with open arms
The group cackled, too busy reveling in their own cruelty to notice the odd look on the messenger’s face.
“Actually she began hesitantly, “Anastasia looks…different tonight.”
One girl snorted. “Different how? Even more of an eyesore?”
The others burst out laughing, all turning expectantly toward the entrance.
But suddenly, the laughter died. Each smile froze in place as their eyes widened
in astonishment, staring at the doorway in utter disbelief.