Chapter 694

Crystal’s eyes flickered, and she said nothing more. If her brother managed to win over Anastasia, then wouldn’t that leave an opening for her with Harrison? Thɪs chapter is updated by
Her heart began to beat a little faster.
She believed she was in love with Harrison with his looks, his brilliance, and the immense power he wielded. If she were with him, no one would ever dare look down on her for her origins again.
***
Unaware of the siblings’ scheming, Anastasia was now browsing in a high-end department store, looking for a gift for her husband.
She was examining a selection of silk ties when a voice called out.
“Anastasia?”
It was hesitant, uncertain.
Anastasia turned to see a group of people standing nearby. One of the girls was staring at her. When their eyes met, the girl’s face broke into a wide, surprised smile, and she rushed over.
“Anastasia, it really is you! What are you doing here?”
It took Anastasia a moment to recognize her high school classmate, Gwen Garcia.
She was only a sophomore in college, so it shouldn’t have been that long, but having lived a whole other life, it felt like ages since she had last seen her.
“Gwen,” she said with a warm, nostalgic smile. They had been pretty good friends back in high school. “What are you doing in Riverton?”
“My family moved here after graduation, remember?” Gwen said. “I messaged you a few times after we moved, but you never replied.”
Anastasia racked her brain. Had Gwen messaged her? She had no memory of it. Then again, back in high school, she had trusted Penelope completely, even giving her the passwords to her social media accounts. It was more likely Penelope had deleted the messages than that she had simply forgotten.
It wasn’t surprising.
“I never got them. Maybe there was a problem with my account,” she said.
Gwen didn’t press the issue, just happy to have run into her. She was about to say more when the rest of the group caught up.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Anastasia Sterling.”
The tone was exaggerated and dripping with malice, a stark contrast to Gwen’s genuine surprise.
Anastasia’s eye twitched as she looked past Gwen. The group was made up of stylishly dressed young men and women, all seemingly. orbiting one girl who was the most fashionably dressed and carried herself with an air of superiority. It was her who had spoken?
After a moment, Anastasia recognized her too. Another high school classmate, Monica Scott. Just as she and Gwen had been friends, she and Monica had been rivals.
Monica sauntered over, arms crossed, and gave Anastasia a dismissive once-over. A flash of jealousy crossed her face when she saw Anastasia’s features, but it was quickly replaced by smug satisfaction as her eyes scanned Anastasia’s unbranded clothes.
“Tsk, tsk. It’s been a few years, Anastasia, and it looks like you haven’t been doing so well. Did the Sterling family go bankrupt? You can’t even afford a decent outfit.”
Anastasia glanced down at her
clothes with a strange expression. She hadn’t brought many things from Fairhaven, so she was wearing outfits Harrison had arranged for her. They were all from high-end bespoke designers understated, but far more expensive and exclusive than any mainstream luxury brand.
But Monica clearly didn’t recognize them, assuming they were cheap knock-offs.
Anastasia didn’t bother to correct her. Noting the way the others deferred to Monica, she raised an eyebrow. “And you seem to be doing very well for yourself?”