Chapter 366
“Give me a break.” Anastasia let out a cold laugh. “Since when did I ever have a sister?”
She didn’t even bother pretending anymore. The mask was off, and there was no turning back. Ná´‡w novel chapters are publɪshed on.net
Her harsh words made Gabriel’s heart sink. Suddenly, he spun around and— without warning-slapped Penelope across the face.
“I told you to apologize! Are you mute or something?!”
The force of the blow sent Penelope stumbling. Nora rushed forward, catching her daughter before she fell.
“Dad Penelope’s tears streamed down her cheeks. She still couldn’t believe that the father who used to dote on her could turn on her like this.
Anastasia watched the whole scene with indifference, her face emotionless. Gabriel’s reaction didn’t surprise her in the least.
Back when everything was simple, Penelope was obedient and sweet, always eager to please. She made Gabriel feel like a proud father, so of course he spoiled her.
But since Anastasia’s rebirth, Penelope’s true colors had come out again and again, dragging the family into one mess after another. And after Nora’s affair came to light, there was no more glow in Gabriel’s eyes when he looked at her mother. How could he possibly keep up the act of being a loving father?
Frankly, the only reason he hadn’t already thrown them out of the Sterling family was because he was feeling generous.
Gabriel had always been selfish to the core. Anastasia had learned that lesson the hard way in her previous life. The only difference was, back then she was the target-now it was Penelope and her mother’s turn.
“Aren’t you supposed to apologize? Well, get on with it.” Anastasia raised her chin and prompted coolly.
Penelope bit down hard on her lip, struggling under Gabriel’s icy glare, but finally managed to choke out, “I’m sorry
Anastasia’s eyes flicked up. “Sorry for what?”
Hurt and resentment flashed in Penelope’s eyes.
“Say it!” Gabriel barked, barely holding back his anger. “Tell her what you did. Why are you apologizing? Don’t you even know yourself?”
Penelope’s tears fell faster. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have tried to steal Aaron away. I shouldn’t have lied about you
Anastasia gave a thin, unimpressed smile. “So a couple of words and that’s it?”
Gabriel jumped in at once. “Of course not! Penelope wants to show she’s really sorry. She told me herself-she’ll kneel and beg for your forgiveness if that’s what it takes!”
He shot Penelope a look that was impossible to ignore: Kneel. Now.
If getting Anastasia’s forgiveness would stop Mr. Harrison Lancaster from coming
after the Sterling family, then what was a little humiliation?
Penelope clenched her jaw so tightly it trembled, but she started to kneel.
“Penelope!” Nora suddenly pulled her daughter into a fierce hug. Tears streaked her face as she turned to Anastasia, her voice trembling with anger. “Anastasia! Are you really going to make Penelope kneel to you? She’s your sister!”
Then she looked at Harrison, her words desperate and pleading. “Mr. Lancaster, please have mercy on Penelope! She hasn’t done anything wrong-she’s just young, naïve, easily misled… She’s always loved Anastasia like her own sister. How could she ever hurt her on purpose?”
From the moment they entered, Harrison had barely spared them a glance, his attention fixed entirely on his young wife. Now, at last, he looked up, and his gaze was as cold as winter.
“She hasn’t done anything wrong?” His voice was smooth and icy. “So you’re saying Ana’s the one at fault?”
Nora’s face went ashen, but before she could answer, Harrison continued, “Let’s say she’s not wrong. Even if she isn’t, if Ana thinks she is, then she is. If Ana wants to see her kneel, then she’ll kneel.”
His words were calm, almost casual, but the pressure behind them was suffocating. The Sterlings blanched in unison.
Anastasia had been ready to retort, but she stopped cold and turned to her husband instead. She stared at his handsome, sharp profile, eyes shining, then threw her arms around his and whispered, “You’re the best, darling.”