Chapter 353

Right now, she didn’t dare underestimate Anastasia in the slightest. Leaning in close to Shirley, she whispered urgently, “Let’s just get out of here
“Why leave?” Anastasia’s voice rang out, half-amused, half-cold. “Weren’t you both so sure yesterday that I’d slept with Aaron? I think it’s time we talk this through, don’t you?”
At that, Shirley’s expression darkened. Penelope, on the other hand, quickly lowered her gaze, fighting back a surge of anxiety.
Could Anastasia know something? No way. She and Aaron had been careful— painstakingly so. There was no way they’d left any evidence behind.
Shirley’s voice was icy. “I have nothing more to say to you. If you have any self- respect left, Anastasia, you’ll stay away from my fiancé.”
Anastasia gave a contemptuous laugh, folding her arms. “Your precious Aaron? Trust me, I wouldn’t go near that loser even if you begged me. But let me ask you —who told you it was me who’s been messing around with him?”
“Aaron tells me everything. And Penelope said you keep pestering him. Don’t even think about denying it!”
Anastasia turned her gaze on Penelope.
Penelope looked away, desperately trying to hide her guilt.
“Anastasia, I only ever told the truth,” Penelope said, voice trembling. “Everyone knows about you and Mr. Lancaster and your… history. Even if I kept quiet, it was only a matter of time before Shirley found out.”
Anastasia cut her off, voice biting as she cocked an eyebrow. “Did you also mention to Shirley that Aaron’s real crush is you? Or how you’re the one who’s really close to him? And that you don’t usually call him ‘Mr. Lancaster’-you call him Aaron, your dear big brother?”
Shirley’s head snapped around to stare at Penelope.
The rest of the crowd, hungry for drama, turned to her as well.
Penelope’s face went pale, lips trembling as her eyes filled with tears. “Anastasia, I know you don’t like me, but how can you accuse me of something so awful? Mr. Lancaster was your boyfriend. Why would I ever get involved with my own sister’s boyfriend?”
She looked every inch the wounded, innocent victim.
But before anyone could reply, Juliet stepped forward. “Funny, isn’t it? Back when you were best friends with Sandra, didn’t you end up with her boyfriend too?”
Sandra let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
Penelope’s composure cracked, her face stiffening.
Around them, the crowd’s eyes filled with open disdain.
No one had forgotten how Penelope was forced out of Kingsbridge University in disgrace. But now that she’d found someone powerful to back her and waltzed back onto campus, it was as if she expected everyone to forget the things she’d done.
“Penelope, is what Anastasia saying true?” Shirley demanded, staring at her with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
“It’s not―no, it’s not true Penelope’s palms were slick with sweat. Suddenly, she gritted her teeth and blurted, “I swear, there’s nothing between me and Mr. Lancaster. Nothing at all! If I’m lying, I’ll kneel in front of the entire university and apologize and withdraw from Kingsbridge for good!”
Her vow was so fierce that Shirley’s suspicion finally seemed to waver. Penelope immediately turned to Anastasia, but saw only a slight, knowing smile. The source of thɪs content is.net
“Did you get that on video?” Anastasia asked, glancing at her friends.
“Every word!” Maggie waved her phone, smirking at Penelope through the camera. “Let’s hope you remember that promise.”
A cold sense of dread twisted in Penelope’s stomach, but she forced it down. So what if they had it on video? She’d been careful. There was no way anyone could catch her out.
She pressed on, voice strained. “Well? Satisfied now? There’s nothing between me and Mr. Lancaster!”
Anastasia tilted her head, giving her a sweet but insincere smile. “Oh, I believe you. But you know, in these situations, it’s not really fair to only hear one side of the story-is it?”
Penelope’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t even finished processing Anastasia’s words when she caught sight of a figure nearby-one she’d dreaded seeing in this place.
Aaron.