Chapter 33

“What on earth are you talking about?!”
All around them, the guests couldn’t help but exchange glances, some quietly inspecting the two women. Was it just their imagination, or did Penelope and Gabriel really share a resemblance?
Nora’s heart clenched in panic. Worried someone might pick up on something, she rushed to smooth things over. “Alright, Anastasia was just making an offhand comment. There’s no need to get upset with her.”
She sounded every bit the caring stepmother, coming to Anastasia’s rescue-but in truth, she was desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Before anyone could respond, Nora forced a bright smile in Anastasia’s direction. “So, Anastasia, what did you get me for my birthday?” This update ıs available on
A birthday gift?
Anastasia’s lips curled into a smile.
This was, after all, the very reason she’d come today.
With a small gesture, she summoned someone from behind her. The attendant stepped forward, holding a box-her gift for Nora.
As the lid was lifted, a document and a fountain pen were revealed inside.
Nora’s eyes lit up instantly, burning with anticipation.
Anastasia caught the flash of greed in her gaze, gone as quickly as it appeared.
Her own smile turned cold and sharp as she looked at Nora. “Every year for the past four years, I’ve given Mrs. Sinclair the same present on her birthday: a portion of my shares in Seagate Innovations-the shares my mother left me. Ten percent each year, so after four years, that’s forty percent.”
Nora could barely contain her excitement now. Yes, forty percent-she only needed the final eleven percent this year, and she’d surpass Anastasia’s grandfather’s family to become the company’s largest shareholder.
She waited impatiently, expecting Anastasia to hand her the document so she could sign it without hesitation.
Just as she’d imagined, Anastasia picked up the folder and pen, then held them out to her.
Nora’s smile widened as she reached for them. But the moment she glanced at the text, her expression froze, her grin vanishing. For a second, she thought she must be seeing things.
At that same moment, Anastasia’s voice rang out-
“Mrs. Sinclair once told me that I was too young to manage those shares myself, that it wasn’t safe, so she offered to keep them for me. So, I gave them to her.”
“But now, I’ve been thinking-I’m nineteen already, not a child anymore. I think I can handle it, especially with my husband-to-be helping me manage them. I don’t need to leave them with Mrs. Sinclair any longer.”
“I’m truly grateful for all your help these past years, Mrs. Sinclair. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like them back.”
Anastasia beamed, as if she’d never doubted her stepmother’s intentions, as if she trusted her completely.
Nora stared up in disbelief, her composure slipping for the first time in front of an audience.
“Anastasia, you-”
“What’s wrong?” Anastasia blinked innocently. “Mrs. Sinclair, why aren’t you signing?”
Nobody in the room had seen this coming. The guests’ eyes kept darting to Nora, whispers spreading as they exchanged hushed remarks.
“If I remember right, isn’t Seagate Innovations’ other major shareholder the Brennan family—Anastasia’s mother’s side? When Cecilia Brennan passed away, those shares were managed by the Brennans. Is that really so unsafe?”
“Unsafe? Please. That was just an excuse. If her own grandfather couldn’t be trusted, why should a stepmother be any safer? She was just tricking the girl
“Look at her-she can’t even bring herself to sign the papers
The murmurs grew, and for a moment, Nora’s mask almost slipped. In that instant, she knew for certain: Anastasia was no longer the naïve girl she’d been. Someone must be backing her now.