Chapter 336

“Why doesn’t she look the least bit rattled?” One of Shirley’s lackeys eyed Anastasia’s retreating figure with suspicion.
“Not rattled? She’s just putting on a brave face!” Shirley scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.
The humiliation of being forced by Anastasia to kneel and bark like a dog still burned in her memory, turning her gaze venomous. She leaned in and instructed the girl beside her, “Go. Find a way to get in touch with Anastasia’s mysterious benefactor’s legitimate wife. Invite her to the party, too. This time, I want Anastasia’s reputation in shambles-I want her ruined so thoroughly she’ll never show her face in Fairhaven again!”
Her lackey nodded and scurried off. Just then, Penelope, who’d gone home briefly and had just returned to campus, walked up to them.
Noticing Helen’s disheveled appearance and Shirley’s dark expression, Penelope casually asked what had happened.
Helen wasted no time spilling everything with relish. “Anastasia didn’t dare admit in front of everyone that she’s just someone’s kept woman, so of course she had to accept Shirley’s invitation. Just wait-she’s done for!”
“I can’t wait for the party in three days!” Helen was so giddy, she seemed to have forgotten all about her bruises and aches.
But as Penelope listened, her face paled. She glanced at Shirley, who was practically glowing with malicious excitement, and parted her lips as if to speak- then shut them tight.
No. She absolutely couldn’t reveal that Anastasia was actually Harrison’s wife…
If she did, Shirley would never thank her. Worse, she’d realize Penelope had been using her as a pawn. Harrison’s wife-the lady of Rosewood Manor-wasn’t someone to be trifled with. And if Shirley figured out Penelope had known all along and still encouraged her to go after Anastasia, she’d never let her off the hook.
Penelope’s complexion turned ashen. She did her best to fade into the background among the other girls, listening in silence as everyone gleefully imagined how miserable Anastasia would be after three days.
***
Outside the gym, Maggie finally let her composure slip, bursting out laughing. “Oh my god, Shirley’s just digging her own grave at this point. Of all the things to suggest, she picked the one that’ll backfire the most. I’m actually excited for this party now!”
Sandra thought of Shirley’s smug expression and could only shake her head, at a loss for words.
Only Juliet didn’t share their excitement. Instead, she looked worried and hesitated before asking, “Cousin, do you think your husband will agree to go with you?” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ
She’d only met her cousin’s husband a few times, but she was sharp enough to notice that he seemed to be deliberately hiding their relationship from everyone. Ever since she picked up on that, she’d felt uneasy for her cousin. Wasn’t he willing to acknowledge her in public?
Anastasia saw right through her sensitive cousin’s concerns and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Your cousin and I are doing just fine. Don’t let your imagination run wild.”
As for whether Harrison would agree to attend the party with her-well, that all depended on how persuasive she could be!
In fact, a part of her was grateful to Shirley for handing her this opportunity. Harrison had always shied away from making their relationship public. How could she not mind? At last, she had the perfect excuse to finally talk to him about it.
Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, Anastasia put on her best pitiful face as she walked through the front door and called out-
“Honey, I was bullied today!”