Chapter 252
Anastasia said, âHerman did some investigation. Pattieâs biological parents died in a car accident. The community sent her to an orphanage before she was adopted by Leo and Penny.â
âI understand.â Katelyn felt a twinge of disappointment, for some reason. It would have been nice if the child were theirs.
Anastasia glanced at the clock and noticed it was almost lunchtime. âLetâs have lunch at home at noon. Iâll go buy some groceries.â Anastasia suggested. Katelyn smiled and said, âSure, I can chat with your mom to pass the time.â
âAlright.â Anastasia picked up her keys and said to Pattie, âPattie, be a good girl and behave while Iâm out.â
Pattie obediently replied, âOkay.â
Anastasia headed to the market, which was just around the corner from the residential area. It was a swift errand, and she soon returned with groceries. While entering the neighborhood, she noticed Tavonâs car parked near the entrance.
Tavon was in conversation with a woman, apparently inquiring the security guard about something. Anastasia was aware that Tavon wouldnât give up so easily. She didnât avoid them but continued walking towards the entrance with her groceries.
Upon seeing Anastasia, Tavon approached her with a smile, âAna, you went grocery shopping?â Anastasia didnât respond, thinking that it was obvious to anyone that she had been shopping.
Ashley, the woman with Tavon, noticed that Anastasia wasnât responding and said with a smile, âAna, your dad and I came to take you back to Willowbrook.â
âI have no plans to go to Willowbrook.â Anastasia replied coldly, âPlease let me passâ
Ashley hurriedly continued, âYou accepted the house and stocks, so why wonât you go now? If you donât go, what aboutâ¦?â-
Tavon, concerned that Ashley might say something wrong, quickly interrupted. âAna, didnât your mom tell you about returning to Willowbrook? I want to take you home. Your home is in Willowbrook. I even planned to teach you how to manage the vineyard, to take my place.â
âTavon, is that really what you want?â Anastasia scoffed, not believing a word he said.
âOf course.â Tavon said, âI think you have a talent for business.â
Anastasia deliberately inquired, âHowâs your younger daughter?â
âSandyâs condition has stabilized. Just yesterday, we found a suitable marrow donor. She can have the transplant anytime.â Tavon said excitedly, âAna, youâre my lucky star. Once your sister is out of the hospital, our family can be together again.â
Anastasia couldnât discern from Tavonâs expression whether he was telling the truth or not. Had Sandy really found a suitable marrow donor? If so, why was Ashley being so generous? There must be more to this.
Tavon was putting on a show, and Anastasia played along. She pretended to think, then said, âMy mom and I have lived here for decades. Weâre used to it. Willowbrook isnât far from Riverdale, just a two-hour flight. Besides, you already have a new family, Tavon. If my mom goes to Willowbrook, under what status would she be?â
Anastasiaâs meaning was clear; she wanted Tavon to provide her mother with an explanation. Ashley was angry upon hearing this, but for her daughterâs sake, she held back.
Tavon was in a tight spot. He glanced at Ashley, then said to Anastasia, âIâll give your mom an explanation. Iâll take care of her for the rest of her life. Weâll be a family, Ana. If you canât leave your work and friends here, I understand. You can come back anytime. This time, I just hope you can come home.â Anastasia gave a faint smile, âIâll consider it. I need to go home and cook, so I wonât keep you.â She didnât want to maintain a fake friendly relationship with them, but she also couldnât be overly aggressive. Tavonâs social status and financial power could affect her and Hermanâs lives.
She had no choice but to give them the cold shoulder.
âAlright, go ahead. Call me anytime when youâve made up your mind.â Tavon said with a smile.
Without another word, Anastasia walked into the residential area with her groceries. As soon as she left, Ashleyâs expression changed, âWhat does that girl mean? Does she want you to divorce me and marry her mother? Sheâs really pushing her luck. If it werenât for Sandyâs illness, I wouldnât put up with this. Who does she think she is?â