Anastasia froze for a second. She really had forgotten. She'd been about to check the fridge, thinking she might whip up something to eat. Forget it, I'll just wait until the contract's signed and grab something outside. "What about the client? Where are they?" she asked. "They're waiting in the complex. You just need to come over to the house," the agent replied. Anastasia wasn't sure if Sebastian had already moved out. "Is anyone else still inside?" The agent glanced at Sebastian, who was right beside him. The phone was on speaker, so Sebastian caught every word. After meeting his eyes, the agent played dumb. "Who else could be in there?" That was enough to put Anastasia's doubts to rest. I already told Sebastian I'm selling the place. After knowing his personality, he's not the type to shamelessly cling to it. Sebastian's all about living well. If an agent starts bringing people over to view the house, it's bound to mess with his privacy, so I figure he's already moved out. "Alright, I'll head over right now." Anastasia grabbed her papers and stepped outside. The sky was just starting to darken. After dinner, Gemma had gone out for a walk and figured she might as well swing by Oakridge Estates to check on Winston and Anastasia after last night's mess. She had barely walked through the gate when she nearly ran straight into Anastasia, who was on her way out. The moment Gemma spotted her, her expression lit up. She grabbed Anastasia by the arm, looking her over from head to toe. "Anastasia, you're still in one piece?" Anastasia blinked, thrown off for a second, then blurted, "Madam Eckman." "Well, would you look at that!" Gemma's whole expression crinkled into a smile. Last night, Winston had come tearing back to the old estate, fuming the second he found out he'd been 'married off without his say. His temper blew sky-high. And really, anyone else in his place would've blown a fuse too. The moment he caught wind that Anastasia might be hiding out at Oakridge Estates, he came tearing down here, looking ready to tear her apart. Gemma had been worried stiff at the time. Anastasia looked so delicate, like one good shake would knock her over. But now, seeing the girl standing here safe and sound, Gemma finally let out the breath she'd been holding. She had trusted her instincts all along-her handpicked granddaughter-in-law, Winston would come around eventually. She almost asked how the two of them spent the night, but stopped herself. Push too much and the young ones get prickly. Better to let them keep a little mystery. 1/3 :10 pm DDDD. "Madam Eckman, I really have to head out right now. Whatever it is, we can talk when I'm back," Anastasia said. "Alright, go on then, take care of your business!" Gemma's eyes crinkled up as she laughed. "And if Wins ever gives you a hard time, you just let me know. I'll straighten him out for you!" Anastasia paused, a little thrown off. Something about it felt odd. He is in the army, isn't he? Anastasia didn't think much of it. She just brushed it off, figuring Gemma was getting older and sometimes her words came out a little muddled. Before long, Anastasia reached the villa. The moment she stepped inside, though, something felt off. Night had already settled in, and the place was swallowed in darkness. Not a single light was on, which didn't feel like the kind of scene where someone was actually home. Could it be I took too long on the way, and the buyer figured I wasn't serious, so they just left? Anastasia unlocked the door with her fingerprint, then felt along the wall, trying to find the light switch. But no matter how long she searched, nothing happened. The lights stayed dead, and the room was still swallowed in darkness. Is the light busted? Anastasia was about to check if the wiring had gone wrong when someone suddenly pulled her back into a tight embrace. Warm, damp breath brushed against her skin, making her flinch. "You're back?" The voice was Sebastian's. His hand clamped around her waist, rough and insistent, and his tone carried that husky edge that hinted he'd had a few drinks. Anastasia frowned. Didn't the agent say Sebastian already moved out? She caught on quick. The whole setup stank of a scam, and it didn't take much to figure out the agent had pocketed Sebastian's money just to drag her over here. That touch made her stomach turn. It yanked her straight back to that morning, to Juliana kissing Sebastian right outside Everton Group's doors. Disgust flared. Anastasia shoved his hand off her waist and pivoted, her gaze flat and cold. "Sebastian, seriously? What's the point of all this? You tricked me into coming here just for this?" "You can't sell the place." His voice came out rough, tight. The thought of random strangers moving into this house made his skin crawl. "You gave it to me, it's mine. If you don't want me to sell it, fine." She tilted her chin in the dark, meeting 2/3 2:10 pm D D D D She was done fighting. Whoever ended up with it didn't matter. The project had always belonged to the Kairoses anyway. Let them swallow it whole. She'd cash out and walk away, one less headache to deal with. Sebastian froze, frowning. "Anna, do you have to go this far? Cutting me off this fast? You don't even care what comes after?" Anastasia's lips curved in a sharp little smile. "And what exactly am I supposed to care about?" He lowered his head. "Don't tell me you forgot. Skycrest Corporation is still in my hands." Quarter after quarter, whenever Skycrest's earnings rolled out, Anastasia would show up at his office. This time, nothing. Sebastian knew it wasn't because she'd forgotten. She stayed away because she wasn't about to bend over business. It was stubborn pride, plain and simple. And he was certain of one thing: Anastasia still needed him, needed his hand on that company. "Oh, right," she said, her tone cutting. "You're the CEO of Skycrest Corporation." 193 3/3 2:10 pm D The Rose Who Chose His Rival Over Him +8 Pearls