She lifted her head just as Anastasia and a couple of colleagues passed by on their way to the cafeteria. Anastasia looked calm and unbothered, like the whole project was already in her pocket. Juliana dug her nails so deeply into her palm that it almost hurt. Anastasia, how do you always keep that cool mask on, no matter what happens? Sebastian dumped you, and you barely even looked hurt. Is that just an act? Juliana was seething with hatred. Let's see if you're still smiling when the deputy director's title ends up on my desk instead of yours. Evening came. Anastasia walked out of the lab, ready to call it a day. Usually, she would've still been buried in data at this hour, but tonight was different-she was moving. Staying at a hotel had never felt right, and since she already had the keys to Oakridge Estates, there wasn't much point dragging it out. Her new husband, the one she hadn't met in person yet, was still deployed, and the house was just sitting there. She figured she might as well start making it hers. She stopped by the hotel front desk to pick up the luggage she'd left in storage, then grabbed a cab straight to Oakridge. On the way, she realized the place probably didn't have the basics she needed, so she stopped at a nearby supermarket and picked up a toothbrush, some towels, and a pair of house slippers. Traffic was light, and the ride was smooth from start to finish. When she finally pulled up to her new place, Anastasia stepped out and saw the three-story villa waiting for her. Oakridge Estates is one of the upscale neighborhoods in Brisden, with a mix of sleek apartment buildings and private villas. The villa I'm standing in front of feels flawless. The view, the light, the peace, everything is just right. And it does add up. Madam Eckman gave me a family heirloom bracelet worth a small fortune, so I doubt my so-called husband is short on money, Anastasia rolled her suitcase to the door, unlocked it, and found it empty, just as she expected. At least it's spotless. Clearly, someone comes by to clean regularly. The interior was tasteful and polished in a way that whispered money without trying too hard. She wandered through all three floors, checking each one. Every level had its own setup, laid out in a way that made sense. My husband is supposed to be living on the second floor. What really caught her eye was the second floor. There were clear signs of someone actually living there. The main bedroom was huge, complete with a walk-in closet. The wardrobe was filled with neatly hung clothes, organized by color, everything lined up like a showroom. 213 2:09 pm DDDD. Anastasia stepped out and pulled the door shut behind her. Snooping around in someone else's personal space wasn't her style. Eventually, she dragged her suitcase to the third floor and settled into the main bedroom. This floor doesn't seem to get much use, so it feels like the better choice. That way, even if my husband comes back on leave, we'll each have our own space and won't be in each other's way. She unpacked, hanging her clothes in the closet. Barely a few minutes after she sat down to catch her breath, her phone rang. It was from the agent. "Ms. Abbott, did you forget you're supposed to meet a client today to sign the sales contract?" 洄 3/3 2:09 pm DDDD. The Rose Who Chose His Rival Over Him