Chapter 15: Why Would He Help You?

This question made everyone fall silent.

They'd rather believe that Anastasia had shamelessly sold herself than admit that it was Anastasia's own design talent that had caught Richard's attention.

Because once they admitted that, it would mean admitting how stupid and ridiculous their previous suppression and persecution had been.

Nolan got stuck, finally managing to squeeze out: "Who knows what kind of tricks she used..."

His voice got quieter and quieter.

Everyone knew perfectly well that with Richard's power and status, there was no way he'd be interested in Anastasia.

Yvette's face darkened.

This tool she had firmly controlled for fifteen years had suddenly developed its own thoughts and even learned to fight back.

It made her feel threatened like never before.

"Mom, what do we do now?" Nolan panicked. "We can't just let her be this arrogant, right? What if she's already been badmouthing us to Mr. Roosevelt and it affects Renee and our family's reputation?"

"Stop panicking!" Yvette snapped at him. "We raised her for fifteen years - you think we can't control her?"

The panic faded from her face, leaving only calculation and viciousness.

"I want to see how far she can go without the Stafford Family backing her up!"

At the same moment, Anastasia returned to her apartment.

Saskia wasn't home from work yet, and the whole place was empty.

She walked into the study and opened her laptop.

As the screen lit up, Anastasia prepared to check how the situation had developed on the school forum.

However, the overwhelming insults and attacks she'd expected weren't there.

Instead, there was a bolded and highlighted announcement pinned at the top.

[Statement Regarding Design School Student Anastasia's Graduation Project Eligibility]

The announcement was brief and to the point, stating that the school had received a report of academic misconduct against Anastasia, but after initial communication, found there were disputes involved.

To ensure fairness and justice, they would conduct a thorough investigation, and until the results came out, they were temporarily restoring Anastasia's graduation project and related competition eligibility.

The forum's tone had completely reversed.

[A plot twist? I knew Anastasia didn't seem like someone who would plagiarize.]

[Was it a malicious report?]

[Waiting for the truth, hope the school investigates thoroughly!]

Anastasia's fingertips glided lightly across the touchpad as she looked at those comments, her eyes showing no emotion.

These opinions that could easily swing to either side meant nothing to her.

Just then, her inbox showed a new email notification.

The sender was The Celestial Loop organizing committee.

Opening the email, it clearly stated that her semifinal eligibility had been restored, and considering the impact this incident had on her, they had specially extended her design submission deadline by three days.

The dust had settled.

Richard's name flashed through her mind.

This favor weighed heavily.

But Anastasia had no time to dwell on those complicated emotions. She closed the webpage and opened her design software.

On the screen was the design draft she had drawn and revised countless times.

The path ahead was now clear. All she had to do was walk forward without distraction.

The sound of the door lock turning echoed as a figure rushed in.

"Anastasia! I'm back! I'm starving, huh?"

Saskia tossed her bag on the sofa and walked into the study about to complain about her weird coworkers, when she noticed Anastasia's aura was completely different from usual.

She leaned in, eyeing Anastasia suspiciously. "You're very different today."

Anastasia looked up at her only friend. "That's probably because I solved the problem. My competition eligibility and graduation project eligibility have both been restored."

Saskia's eyes lit up as she eagerly asked, "How did you solve it? Would the Stafford Family be kind enough to let you off?"

Anastasia shook her head, silent for a moment, then decided to be honest. "I met Richard. He helped me."

The air froze for an instant.

The gossipy expression on Saskia's face froze. She poked at her ear, asking uncertainly, "Say that again? Who did you meet?"

"Richard."

Saskia gasped. "The Richard I'm thinking of? That top figure from the Roosevelt Group in financial legends?"

After getting Anastasia's confirmation, Saskia paced back and forth excitedly.

"You actually met Richard! Why would he help you? What exactly happened between you two?"

After a pause, Saskia asked again, "And also, is he really like the legends say - super handsome with an amazing presence?"

Faced with Saskia's rapid-fire questions, Anastasia said slowly, "Compared to the photos in financial magazines, he looks even better in person. I made a deal with him, so he was willing to help me."

Hearing this, Saskia frowned and gripped Anastasia's shoulders with both hands.

The gossip and excitement from a second ago vanished completely, leaving only worry.

"Anastasia, what did you trade with him?"

She didn't dare think further.

Although in her eyes, Anastasia was the best and most brilliant person.

But someone like Richard would never extend a helping hand to a stranger for no reason.

Businessmen do business based on equal, or even excessive, exchange of interests.

And right now, Anastasia had nothing. The only thing she seemed to have left to trade was herself.

Feeling the trembling force on her shoulders, warmth flowed through Anastasia's heart.

She covered Saskia's hand with her own and patted it gently. "Saskia, do you think I have any other choice right now?"

"The Stafford Family has blocked all the roads. If I don't grab this opportunity, all my efforts over these years will be wasted."

"But I only told him about my designs and my situation, exactly as they are. He chose to believe me."

"Believe you?" Saskia clearly doubted this explanation. "That simple? Anastasia, don't be naive. Businessmen don't make deals without profit, especially someone like Richard."

"I know." Anastasia nodded.

She understood this better than anyone.

Anastasia looked up directly at Saskia, her eyes clear and sharp. "What Richard values is the value I can bring him. And I need the power he holds to clear the obstacles for me."

"This is a transaction, Saskia."

"From the moment I decided to find him, I already put myself on the gambling table. If I lose, I'll just go back to having nothing. But if I win—"

A smile curved Anastasia's lips, carrying a reckless madness. "I can take back everything they took from me, piece by piece, with interest."

Saskia was stunned by the light in her eyes, speechless for a long moment.

The Anastasia she knew had always been patient and silent, quietly enduring all injustice.

But the Anastasia now was sharp and exposed.

"Crazy," Saskia murmured. "You're absolutely crazy."

After a pause, Saskia added, "But I like it."

She grinned, the worry in her eyes transforming into firm solidarity. "Count me in. Whatever you're going to do, I'll stand with you!"

Warmth filled Anastasia's heart as she nodded firmly.

Anastasia turned her attention back to the computer, her fingertips dancing across the touchpad.

She and Richard - it really was a transaction.

And right now, the only chip she could put on the table was her talent.

She had to win.

And she would win!