Chapter 546

Anastasia froze, every muscle in her body tensing. She slowly turned her head and looked down, meeting his dangerous gaze.
Her face fell. Resigned to her fate, she dragged her feet down the stairs. She couldn’t remember what happened after she got home last night, but she figured the only reason she was still in one piece was that she’d been too drunk to punish. She highly doubted Harrison was going to just let it go. Stella’s predicament was proof enough of that. Thıs content belongs to
With the grim acceptance of someone walking to the gallows, she stopped in front of him. “Harrison
“Sober now?” he asked, his expression unreadable.
“Yes,” she replied, glancing at him nervously. She braced herself, convinced his next words would be an order to go stand next to Stella.
Stella seemed to think so too. Her sobs had quieted, and she was now watching Anastasia with a look of eager anticipation. It was miserable being punished alone, but if Anastasia had to suffer with her, it would be a different story entirely.
They both stared at Harrison. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and cool. “Go eat breakfast. Then go to the study and write me a three-thousand-word letter of apology. I want it on my desk in two hours.”
Anastasia’s eyes widened in delight.
Stella’s eyes widened in outrage.
“Just a letter? Really?!” Anastasia was practically buzzing with relief, wanting to throw her arms around him.
“Uncle Harrison, that’s not fair!” Stella wailed, fresh tears streaming down her face. “I’m still standing here, and she only has to write an apology? I want to write an apology too!”
Harrison’s cold, authoritative gaze shifted to her. “Don’t worry, you’ll be writing one too. After you’ve stood here for a full hour, you can go write five thousand words. And don’t you dare miss a single one.”
Stella was stunned into silence, then burst into a new round of
heartbroken sobs. “It’s not fair We both went so why do I have to stand here *and* write an essay that’s longer than hers? She only has to do one thing!”
“Why?” Harrison’s voice was like steel. “Because I’m her husband. And I’m your
uncle. Say one more word, and you’ll stand for another thirty minutes.”
Stella choked back a howl of despair.
Anastasia couldn’t help but feel a
wave of gratitude. Thank God she wasn’t a Lancaster child, subject to such severe discipline. She knew however, that Stella’s harsh punishment was because Harrison had undoubtedly figured out she was the mastermind behind the
ve
whole fiasco. As the instigator
a minor, at that, visiting such a place-she deserved a stricter sentence.
She cast a sympathetic, yet relieved, glance at Stella.
Harrison’s attention snapped back to her. “Go eat.”
“Oh, right!” she chirped. After greeting Lady Lancaster, she hurried away.
It was well past breakfast time, but at Harrison’s command, the kitchen staff immediately brought out a fresh meal. They had clearly been instructed to keep it ready for her. Har stomach was queasy from the hangover, and after half a bowl of oatmeal, she felt full.
Just as she was about to ask for the dishes to be cleared, Harrison appeared. He glanced at her half-empty bowl and issued a simple command: “Finish it.”
Sensing his foul mood, Anastasia didn’t dare argue. She obediently ate the rest of the oatmeal.
Stealing a glance at his stern face, she ventured, “Harrison, you know I was set up last night, so
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