Chapter 320

Anastasia glanced over at Shirley again.
Shirley’s eyes were filled with venom, but with no other option, she muttered a soft, humiliating “woof.”
A slow, satisfied smile spread across Anastasia’s lips. “Alright, that’s enough. Thank you both for your… stellar performances.”
Shirley and Penelope scrambled to their feet, every fiber of their being burning with the urge to throttle Anastasia. They practically bolted from the room in a flustered panic.
Laughter erupted behind them, echoing down the hall-someone even whistled, and Anastasia’s classmates were especially delighted, their pent-up frustration finally finding release.
“Anastasia, you’re a legend!”
“That’s exactly what they deserved! Serves them right! Ha! They tried to set you up, but I bet they never expected to fall into their own trap!”
Anastasia couldn’t help but smile as she watched her friends celebrate even more joyfully than she did.
She checked her watch. “Alright, I should get going. We’ll celebrate properly later!”
Almost the moment they turned the corner and were out of sight, Shirley spun around and slapped Penelope hard across the face.
It was just like last time. Penelope had braced herself, so she wasn’t as shocked, but the sting of humiliation cut deeper than ever.
“What did you tell me before, huh?” Shirley fumed, her anger only growing. One slap wasn’t enough-she kicked Penelope sharply in the shin.
“Shirley Penelope scrambled up, her cheeks burning with shame and pain.
“Shut up!” Shirley snapped. “You promised me, said Anastasia was useless, said you’d definitely win. Is this your idea of winning? Looks to me like you’re the real loser here!”
The memory of groveling on her knees and barking like a dog made Shirley want to slap Penelope all over again.
Penelope clutched her swollen cheek, biting down hard on her lip.
“I didn’t expect this either
Wasn’t Anastasia supposed to be a nobody? For years, she and her mother had gone out of their way to keep Anastasia small. No one knew her weaknesses better than Penelope did.
So why had the girl who was supposed to be a helpless loser suddenly changed? Penelope remembered when they’d been learning medicine together-Anastasia couldn’t even memorize the first page of the textbook.
But thinking back, everything seemed to have changed after Anastasia moved into Rosewood Manor. Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
Why? How?
Lost in her thoughts, Penelope barely noticed when Shirley’s phone rang. Shirley answered, listened briefly, and her face darkened even further-the restaurant hadn’t been bought out, and the men she’d sent had returned with broken legs.
It was a clear warning: don’t get cocky in Fairhaven.
When the call ended, Shirley hurled her phone at the wall in a fit of rage.
She couldn’t understand it. How could a small town like Fairhaven keep tripping her up at every turn? Nothing had gone her way since she arrived; it was like the place itself was cursed.
And Anastasia was bad enough-but now even the restaurant owner dared to stand up to her? Where did they get the nerve?
Given the chance, Shirley was determined to show everyone exactly what it meant to cross the West family from Riverton. She’d make sure they regretted ever getting in her way.
But first, she’d make Anastasia pay-a lesson she’d never forget.
As Shirley pondered her next move, someone from the group of hangers-on suddenly spoke up.
“I’ve got something on Anastasia—a secret she’d do anything to keep hidden.”
Shirley looked up, surprised. It wasn’t one of her usual followers, and the girl’s face was unfamiliar.
“Who are you?”
“My name’s Helen. I used to be close with Anastasia, so I know a lot about her.” Helen could barely hide her excitement as she sidled closer, eager to please.