Chapter 327
Here we go again.
Anastasia had heard this so many times that these words were losing their touch. She leaned casually against her desk, glaring at Julie. âCanât you come up with something new? Have you been reading too many romance novels? Do you always have to play the wicked home-wrecker? If Herman was interested in you, it wouldnât be my business. But he and I are married now, happy as ever. Youâre a wealthy heiress, canât you maintain a bit of dignity?â
Anastasia couldnât understand why Julie was so fixated on Herman. There were plenty of fish in the sea, but she insisted on going after a married man. This seemed utterly foolish to
Anastasia.
âWho are you calling undignified?â Julie snapped, her voice rising. âDo you think Iâm deliberately trying to create a rift between you two by lying? Ask Herman if he had a history with a woman five years ago.â
âSo what if he did?â Anastasia sneered. âHeâs the CEO of Elysian Technologies. And he is a handsome, wealthy man. I doubt there are many women who wouldnât be interested in him. Itâs not unusual for him to have a past.â
Julie was taken aback. âYou knew?â
âI donât require Ms. Brown to worry about my marital affairs,â Anastasia said lightly. âI suggest you find a man and start dating to take care of your hormonal imbalance Running around causing trouble isnât becoming of a high-born lady like you.â
After receiving a completely different reaction from Anastasia than she had anticipated, Julie was exasperated and frustrated. Her ploy to impersonate the woman from Hermanâs past had failed, and Herman had already warned the Brown family about it.
Julie said defiantly. âLetâs see how far you can go with Herman, Anastasia. Menâs love and excitement have an expiration date, and aside from your beauty, what do you have left? Heâll eventually kick you out.â
âEven if that happens, I wouldnât be at a loss. At least I was once Hermanâs wife, and he was a man I, Anastasia, once had. Unlike some people, who only have their fantasies.â
Anastasiaâs sarcastic words were infuriatingly effective. Julie felt her face turning red with anger. With a furious glare at Anastasia, she stormed out.
On her way out, Julie kicked a pebble in frustration, injuring her foot in the process, which only added fuel to her rage. Suddenly, a voice sounded from the side. âSulking here wonât do you any good. It wonât affect Anastasia and Herman in the slightest.â
Julie turned around to see a handsome man standing behind her.
âWho are you?â she asked, wary but unable to resist admiring his good looks.
Aside from Herman, this man was the most handsome she had ever seen.
The man handed her a business card with a mischievous smile. âMy name is Joseph Salstrom, owner of a private investigation agency. I think I could be of help to you.â
âYouâre a Salstrom?â Julie felt a pang of affection hearing the familiar surname.
She glanced at the business card and asked, âYouâre a private investigator?â
âYes.â Josephâs smile was warm, yet it sent chills down her spine. âI can help you get what you want.â
Her face lit up upon hearing this. âReally? I want to marry Herman. Can you make it happen? You just mentioned Herman and Anastasiaâs names; do you know them too?â
âYes.â Joseph was still smiling. âBut they donât know me. I knew about your situation because youâre my target client. You need help, and I can offer it.â
Seeing hope, Julie was ecstatic. âGreat! Help me break Herman and Anastasia apart. I want to marry Herman. Iâll pay you whatever you want.â
âDeal. But you must keep my existence a secret,â Joseph said, still smiling. âIf you need anything, just call the number on the card.â
âSure.â Julie believed it to be true.
Joseph chuckled and left, getting into a black sedan parked nearby. Inside the car, a man asked, âBoss, are you really going to help that silly woman? Why go the long way around when you could just seize Elysian Technologies?â
Joseph lit a cigarette, with a wicked smile on his face. âThe more foolish a woman is, the easier she is to control. Herman dotes on that woman called Anastasia to the bone. I really want to see what Hermanâs suffering looks like.â