Chapter 728

The next morning, just as Anastasia was waking up, she received an unexpected call from Gabriel, asking to meet.
Anastasia was still drowsy and wanted nothing more than to hang up, but then Gabriel added, “It’s been a while since you two saw each other. She misses you terribly, and she happens to be free today. Let’s have a family meal.”
The mention of Queena made Anastasia scoff inwardly. “Fine,” she said.
After hanging up, she was wide awake and decided to get out of bed.
By this time, Harrison had already been at the office for half the morning, while she was just now getting up, a contrast that would normally raise eyebrows.
But after the lesson Janice had learned, no one dared to say a word. Anyone with half a brain had figured it out by now: this Mrs. Lancaster was laid-back and did as she pleased, and she was thoroughly spoiled by both Lady Lancaster and Mr. Harrison Lancaster. It wasn’t anyone else’s place to comment.
Anastasia had a quick bite at home before heading out. When she arrived at the designated restaurant, Gabriel, his wife, and Queena were surprisingly already there.
“Anastasia, over here!”
Queena spotted her and waved with a broad smile, acting as if they were the closest of sisters.
Anastasia walked over at an unhurried pace.
“What took you so long? Did you do it on purpose, making the whole family wait for
you?” Gabriel frowned, his tone automatically critical.
Anastasia’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Not happy? Fine. I’ll leave.”
And with that, she actually turned to walk away.
Queena’s expression changed, and she quickly stood up. “Dad was just upset because he missed you and had to wait. Don’t misunderstand, Anastasia.”
Anastasia turned back, glancing at Gabriel. “Is that so?”
“Of course it is. Right, Dad?” Queena discreetly signaled to Gabriel with her eyes.
Gabriel’s expression was a little stiff.
Having been in Ri
Riverton for a while, buoyed by Queena’s connections,
his career was flourishing again. For a moment, he’d forgotten how thoroughly Anastasia had crushed him and the entire Sterling family-back in Fairhaven
He had slipped, subconsciously falling back into his old habit of playing the stern father, a role defined by years of scolding and criticizing this daughter.
He had forgotten that Anastasia no longer put up with it.
He was seething inside, but to keep her there, Gabriel could only force a strained smile. “Yes, of course. I… I wasn’t thinking when I spoke. Come, sit down.”
Nora also chimed in, trying to smooth things over.
Watching this family, so clearly infuriated yet forced to speak to her in gentle tones, Anastasia found it incredibly amusing. She slowly walked back to the table.
Perhaps to make up for his earlier blunder, Gabriel took the menu and started to order. “I remember you’ve loved this braised fish since you were a little girl
Anastasia glanced at him, took a slow sip of water, and said calmly, “I haven’t touched..it since. I was six when T get a fish bone stuck in my throat and nearly died.”
The paternal smile Gabriel had plastered on his face instantly froze.
A brief silence fell over the table. After a moment, Queena broke the awkward atmosphere Dad is so busy and was often away from home; he probably didn’t know about that.” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ

Anastasia replied, “It happened during Christmas dinner, when the whole family was together.”
Gabriel’s expression, which had softened slightly at Queena’s words, now shifted between pale and flushed.
Anastasia wanted to sneer. What could you expect from a man like Gabriel, who couldn’t even remember a life-threatening incident involving his own daughter?