Chapter 96

“Don’t move.” The man’s voice held a hint of exasperation as he gently pressed her head down. Follow current novels on.net
The dreamy look in Anastasia’s eyes vanished instantly. Mortified, she jerked her
head away.
Oh God, I got caught staring! How embarrassing!
Seeing her ears flush crimson, Harrison’s lips curled into the faintest of smiles.
Back at Rosewood Manor, Anastasia hurried out of the car the moment it stopped. “I-I need to put these clothes away!”
She and Fiona had gone on quite the shopping spree that afternoon.
Watching her flee in a fluster, completely forgetting to help him with his
wheelchair, Harrison wasn’t the least bit annoyed. If anything, the amusement in his eyes grew more visible.
“Mr. Lancaster, do you need a hand?” Fiona asked cautiously.
Harrison’s smile faded as he withdrew his gaze, his tone turning cool and authoritative. “No need. Go on inside. If Ana asks, just tell her I have other matters to attend to and will be back later.”
He didn’t get out, simply instructed the driver to pull away from Rosewood Manor.
Not far off, Alice stood frozen, having heard every word. She bit her lip hard.
Ana?
What did that woman do to make Mr. Lancaster treat her so differently?
A sharp sense of danger welled up inside her.
She could feel it-Mr. Lancaster was starting to see Anastasia in a new light.
No. She couldn’t just sit back and let that woman take him.
Mr. Lancaster was hers.
…
Dining Room.
Aaron knelt on the floor, forced down by two guards. His face was chalk-white, cold sweat dripping down his temples, eyes wide with terror at the man in the wheelchair before him.
Harrison had come back.
“Un—Uncle Harrison Aaron’s voice trembled. He’d thought he’d escaped, but Harrison had returned after all.
Harrison’s gaze landed on him, devoid of even the slightest warmth.
“Did you get anything out of him?” His voice was calm, almost lazy.
Logan, standing by, bowed his head respectfully. “Mr. Lancaster, he doesn’t know much. But we’re fairly certain the people he’s been in contact with are from the main Riverton family.”
A heavy silence filled the room.
A year ago, Harrison had held the reins of the entire Lancaster family, an immovable force no one could challenge. Everyone in the family had lived in the shadow of his authority.
No one would have guessed he’d suddenly fall gravely ill-an incurable disease, the doctors said, with maybe three years left to live.
Some people had clearly grown impatient, unwilling to wait even that long.
But this outcome didn’t surprise Harrison. He hardly needed to investigate; he already knew who was behind it all.
His handsome face betrayed no emotion as his gaze returned to Aaron.
That look made Aaron shudder, a cold dread washing over him. He sobbed,
desperate, “Un—Uncle Harrison, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have spoken out
of turn. Please, forgive me just this once!”
“You did more than just say the wrong thing,” Harrison replied coolly.
“W-what do you mean
Aaron looked up in alarm, only to meet Harrison’s chilling stare.
“Let me make one thing clear: Ana is my wife.” Harrison’s voice was quiet, his expression unreadable, but the threat was unmistakable. “I do not appreciate anyone coveting what’s mine.”
Aaron trembled so violently he nearly wet himself.
Logan spoke up, “Mr. Lancaster, what should we do with him?”
Harrison’s answer was cold and unhurried. “Break his legs.”
Logan blinked in surprise. Since when had Mr. Lancaster become so merciful?
Harrison lowered his eyes, absently fiddling with the cufflinks at his wrist. For a moment, an uncharacteristic gentleness softened his brow.
He didn’t want to show mercy-but more than that, he didn’t want Ana to be afraid of him.
He knew the rumors: that he was violent, ruthless, cruel.
They weren’t lies. Once, he had been.
But not anymore.
“Let’s go.” He glanced at his watch, ignoring Aaron’s screams, and gave the order.