Chapter 431

Lauren’s fans were the first to crack. They adored her not just for her talent, but also for the aura of being the daughter of the renowned medical pioneer, Dr. Virtuoso. Now, suddenly, everyone was telling them it was all a lie?
“I don’t believe it! This can’t be true!! Anyone claiming Anastasia is Dr. Virtuoso’s real daughter must be part of some troll farm, right? Lauren’s always been her daughter-how could that change now?!”
“Oh, please. It’s just that Anastasia never spoke up all these years! Did you really think your favorite was the real deal?”
“Honestly, Lauren’s got some nerve. In every interview, she played up the devoted mother-daughter act, always hinting at how much she missed her late mother. I was so moved-and now it turns out she wasn’t even her biological daughter!” “She was only adopted after Dr. Virtuoso passed away… They barely saw each other while she was alive, right? What’s she so nostalgic about?”
“Can you people stop being so vile? Didn’t you hear Lauren explain herself? Yes, she was adopted, but she never denied Anastasia existed! It’s not Lauren’s fault Anastasia was such a failure that the Brennan family didn’t want her!”
The internet was in an uproar, and Lauren’s fans had lost their swagger.
Anastasia only laughed softly at the chaos, putting her phone away. Lost in thought, she suddenly realized she’d slumped over sideways—and if Harrison hadn’t reached out to steady her, she would’ve tumbled right off the seat.
A flush crept into her cheeks. She straightened up quickly, pretending nothing had happened.
She glanced out the window, then frowned in surprise. This wasn’t the road back to her apartment-it was the way to Rosewood Manor.
“We’re going back to Rosewood Manor already?” she asked, turning to Harrison.
He reached over to smooth her tousled hair, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “You’re not attending university anymore, so there’s no reason for you to stay at Kingsbridge.”
The Global Harmony Medical Institute wasn’t far from Rosewood Manor anyway, so from now on she could just live at home.
Anastasia couldn’t help but smile. Twisting around, she nestled her head against Harrison’s steady, broad shoulder. “So, does that mean wherever I go, you’ll follow?”
He looked down at her, his expression unreadable. “Is that what you want to hear?”
She grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. “How can you ask what I want to hear? Of course I want you to tell me the truth!”
The truth?
“Yes,” he said simply.
Just one word—so blunt, so direct-that it completely caught Anastasia off guard. Why was he always so straightforward?
Harrison’s dark eyes were fathomless as he locked his gaze on her. “The truth is, Ana, I can’t live without you.”
The words, paired with that intense look, sent a rush of heat to her face. All at once, her confident gaze began to dart everywhere but his.
“Stop looking at me like that she stammered, lifting a hand to shield herself from his loving, almost predatory attention.
But he caught her wrist, pressing a warm kiss into her palm. “Didn’t you ask for the truth? What are you blushing for now?”
Her poor, captive hand trembled in his grasp.
Anastasia had absolutely no defense against this side of Harrison.
“Okay, okay, enough—I give up!” she squeaked, burying her face against his chest to hide her tomato-red cheeks.
-So embarrassing!
Harrison wrapped his arms around her, a rare hint of laughter flickering in his dark eyes.
She probably didn’t realize it, but while hiding her face, she was exposing her wildly racing heart. Still, he let it go; his Ana was easily flustered, and if he kept teasing her, she’d probably crawl under the seat to hide.
Meanwhile, at the Brennan estate-
Lauren had just arrived home.
Winni had already heard about what happened outside the Global Harmony Medical Institute. Her face was troubled, and the moment Lauren stepped in the door, she rushed over and took her hand, voice full of concern.
“Lauren!”
For the first time, Lauren’s eyes brimmed with tears in front of her aunt. “Aunt Winni