Chapter 193: Ingratitude

[Isn't that Bradley and Miss Renee Stafford?]

[Is that guy next to them Mr. Morgan? Is Bradley seriously pimping out his girlfriend for resources?]

[The more you think about it, the creepier it gets. These rich families play dirty.]

[Miss Renee Stafford doesn't look innocent either. Wasn't she fooling around with Caspian a while back? I thought Caspian was Miss Anastasia Stafford's fiancé?]

One stone stirred a thousand ripples.

Though the gossip stayed within a small circle, it was enough to cause trouble for Bradley and Renee.

Mission accomplished. She didn't want to stick around any longer. After saying goodbye to the blogger who'd brought her in, she left early.

Walking out of One Global, the evening breeze hit her face with a cool edge.

She stood by the curb, ready to hail a cab.

A black Bentley pulled up in front of her.

The window rolled down. It was Caspian.

"Anastasia, let me give you a ride." His tone was pleading.

Anastasia didn't even glance at him. She kept walking.

Caspian immediately got out and chased after her, grabbing her wrist. "Don't treat me like this. I've apologized, haven't I? Can't you just give me one more chance?"

"Let go." Anastasia's voice was ice-cold.

"I won't!" Caspian held on stubbornly. "Why won't you forgive me? Is it because of Richard? How far have things gone between you two?"

Anastasia just felt annoyed.

She tried to shake off his hand, but couldn't break free.

Just then, another hand reached over and effortlessly pried Caspian's fingers loose.

Richard had followed her out.

He calmly positioned Anastasia behind him, his gaze a clear warning.

"She told you to let go."

"Mr. Roosevelt, this is between Anastasia and me."

Stung by the contempt in Richard's eyes, Caspian couldn't help but protest.

"Anastasia is an employee of the Roosevelt Group. Her business is my business." Richard's declaration came word by word, leaving no room for argument.

Without another glance at Caspian's livid face, he took Anastasia's wrist and pulled her toward his car.

Anastasia tried to pull away, but he only gripped tighter.

"Richard, let me go!"

"Get in."

He opened the passenger door and pushed her inside without giving her a choice.

The door closed, shutting out Caspian's resentful stare.

Inside the car, the atmosphere grew tense.

Richard started the engine without a word and merged into traffic.

Anastasia watched the streetscape fly past her window, her thoughts in chaos.

Richard's apology, his protection, that statement—each one dropped like a stone into the still lake of her heart, sending out ripples.

She fought to suppress the strange feelings rising inside, forcing herself to stay calm.

She couldn't let him fool her.

This man's gentleness and gestures might hide some deeper scheme.

The car sped along and soon reached the alley where her workshop was located.

"Stop here." Her tone was detached.

Richard pulled over as requested.

Anastasia unbuckled her seatbelt. Without bothering to say "thank you," she pushed the door open to get out.

"Anastasia." Richard stopped her.

She turned back to find him watching her, his gaze unfathomable.

"From now on, stay away from both Caspian and Bradley." He said.

Anastasia's lips curved in a bitter smile. "You should worry about yourself first."

With that, she walked into the alley without looking back.

Richard watched her figure disappear into the darkness, his fist slowly clenching.

A moment later, he picked up his phone and called his assistant.

"That information I had you dig up on Bradley—put together a file."

"Also, the Stafford Group. Add some fuel to their fire."

After hanging up, he finally started the car again.

Anastasia returned to her workshop office, physically and mentally exhausted.

She took off her dress, changed into comfortable loungewear, and poured herself a glass of water.

Everything that happened tonight felt like a surreal dream.

Lost in thought, she was startled by a sudden pounding on the workshop door—so forceful it seemed like someone wanted to tear it down.

Anastasia's heart tightened.

Who could it be at this hour?

She walked to the door and peered through the peephole. Her expression immediately darkened.

Standing outside were Yvette and Patrick, along with a reluctant-looking Nolan.

What were they doing here?

Anastasia didn't want to open the door.

But the knocking grew louder, accompanied by Nolan's cursing.

"Anastasia, open this door! I know you're in there, you ungrateful bitch! Too cowardly to face what you've done?"

"Anastasia, please open up. Let's talk." Patrick's voice joined in.

Neighbors were already being disturbed, poking their heads out to see what was happening.

Anastasia knew hiding wouldn't solve anything. She opened the door and stared coldly at the three people outside.

"What do you want?"

The moment Yvette saw her, she rushed forward, hand raised to slap her.

"You little bitch, how dare you ask what we want? Look what you've done!"

Anastasia was prepared and dodged the slap by stepping aside.

She looked coldly at this woman who seemed possessed, not a trace of warmth in her eyes.

"What did I do?"

"Still playing dumb!" Nolan pointed at her nose, cursing viciously. "Did you or did you not say something to reporters at that reception? Now the internet is full of negative stories about Renee! The company's stock is dropping too! Won't you be satisfied until you destroy us all?"

So that's what this was about.

Anastasia sneered inwardly.

Their intelligence network was impressive.

"I just stated some facts." She said flatly. "What, you can do it but others can't talk about it?"

Nolan was left speechless, his face flushing red with anger.

Yvette trembled with rage, pointing at Anastasia with a shrill voice. "Facts? What facts? Renee is an innocent girl, and you've ruined her! You're just jealous! Jealous that she has a wonderful boyfriend like Bradley, jealous that people actually like her!"

"Anastasia, I truly regret this! I never should have brought you out of that orphanage! After raising you all these years, I raised an ungrateful wretch like you! You're so heartless!"

The vicious curses came without restraint.

If this had been the old Anastasia, perhaps she would have felt hurt, felt sad.

But now, her heart had been wounded so deeply it was riddled with holes. She couldn't feel the pain anymore.

"Are you finished?" She asked.

The calmer she remained, the angrier Yvette and Nolan became.

"What kind of attitude is that!" Nolan roared, stepping forward as if to strike her.

Patrick, who had been silent until now, finally intervened, blocking him.

"Enough! Don't make a scene here!" He said in a low voice.

"Get out of my way!" Nolan shoved his hand aside. "Has she bewitched you too? Have you forgotten how upset Renee is right now?"