His phone buzzed again—another frantic message from his agent.
He finally looked down and typed a reply:
[Just kidding. Not moving back. Stop texting, you’re annoying.]
After leaving the Brennans, Anastasia went to the Global Harmony Medical Institute.
Mr. Lockwood handed her a prepared letter. “Normally, to get into the headquarters, you’d have to pass the annual assessment in June. But since you’re leaving for Riverton now, I’m making an exception and giving you this recommendation letter to get you in early.”
“However,” he continued, “this letter won’t grant you official status. Once you’re there, you’ll still have to go through their evaluation process to earn your place. This just gets your foot in the door.”
Despite the disclaimer, Mr. Lockwood had complete faith in her. He patted her shoulder. “With your talent, I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
Anastasia smiled, her eyes shining with confidence. “Thank you, Director!”
Before she left, they chatted for a while, and the conversation inevitably turned to Lauren.
Mr. Lockwood sighed. “I once had such high hopes for her. I never thought…”
“She may not have been on your level, but she was talented. I even considered trying to guide her back to the right path. Who would have thought she was capable of something like this?”
Her petty schemes against Anastasia were one thing; you could chalk that up to a moment of weakness. But to plot against the grandfather who had raised her? That was unforgivable.
“Otto has been working nonstop on her behalf. I just heard a rumor that he found a way to get her exonerated. She’ll probably be out in a few days.”
“As for the Institute,” he added with a heavy sigh, “we’ve decided to expel her. I just hope… I hope she can turn over a new leaf. We’ll see.”
Despite the affection she once had for her, after seeing such a dark and terrifying side of Lauren, Winni couldn’t treat her the same way.
“Winni, are you really going to abandon me?” Lauren looked haggard and pitiful, her eyes pleading. She was the picture of desperation.
Before Winni could answer, Lauren’s eyes welled up with tears, a rare display of vulnerability. “It was a moment of weakness! I was just provoked by Anastasia… I know I was wrong now, and I’ve been punished. Isn’t that enough?”
“I don’t dare ask for Grandfather’s forgiveness, but you’re different, Winni. I’ve always thought of you as my mother. Are you going to cast me aside too?”
“Remember when Anastasia caused your miscarriage? When she almost drove you into a depression? I was the one by your side. You told me then that you would always love me… Was that all a lie? Or have you forgotten?”
At the mention of that day, Winni’s hardened expression finally cracked.

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