Chapter 281-290
Chapter 281
“Okay, Great-Grandma.” Jared obediently nodded his head.
Seeing that Francis was sending Harriet off, Anastasia pulled Jared to her. “Jared, return to your room
first. I’ll call youter.”
“Okay.” After he ended his words, his bright eyes looked toward Erica. Seeing that, Erica guiltily
lowered her head to look at her phone.
After Jared went upstairs, Francis and Naomi returned. “Where’s Jared?” Francis asked.
“He went upstairs to y.”
“Your gown looks stunning, Anastasia!” Naomi immediately said, as if she was trying to please
Anastasia.
Anastasia, on the other hand, only gave her an indifferent reply. “Thanks.”
“Naomi and Erica rarely join such an asion, Anastasia. Do take good care of themter.” It was
Francis’ hope that the entire family could get along well.
“I don’t need that. Hayley will be here too; she’ll keep mepany.” Erica spoke arrogantly before
picking up the phone to call Hayley.
“I’m going to see Jared.” Francis missed his grandson, and he walked upstairs right after his words.
Naomi’s eyes welled up with resentment when she saw this. She wouldn’t have known Francis’ true
intentions if she hadn’t eavesdropped on him in the hospital; he had already taken Jared as his heir to
thepany.
“Hello, Hayley, are you here?”
“Oh, you’re here! That’s great. I’ll go over,” Erica said eagerly.
With that, she immediately took her handbag and said, “Mom, Hayley is here. I’m going to look for her
now.”
She left immediately after speaking. Anastasia did not want to be in the same room with Erica, so she
went to the balcony with her phone. Naomi, on the other hand, sat on the sofa, munching on a handful
of pistachios and contemting her ns for the evening. First and foremost, she desired to gain
Harriet’s favor. Next, she hoped to find a good catch for her daughter at the banquet tonight, andst
but not least, she would seize any advantage that came her way.
It was six o’clock when all the guests gathered in the main hall. Ten minutester, Anastasia received a
call from Elliot.
“Dinner is beginning soon, Anastasia. Ask your family toe over.”
“Okay,” she replied.
“I might get busier tonight and won’t be able to care for Jared and you. You must both take care of
yourselves.”
“I know that. Don’t worry about us.” She did not intend for him to look after them too.
Ten minutester, Francis, holding Jared, together with Naomi and Anastasia, reached the main hall.
That night, the banquet was divided into three different periods: six-thirty to eight for dinner, eight to
nine for all guests to offer their birthday congrattions to Harriet, and nine to ten for the guests’ free
time to walk around and enjoy the fireworks show.
As everyone invited to the banquet was Presgrave Group’s close affiliates and Harriet’s close friends,
the number of guests was limited to around one hundred. Though it wasn’t a lot, the entire banquet
appeared grand and luxurious.
Shaft immadiataly aftar spaaking. Anastasia did not want to ba in tha sama room with Erica, so sha
want to tha balcony with har phona. Naomi, on tha othar hand, sat on tha sofa, munching on a handful
of pistachios and contamting har ns for tha avaning. First and foramost, sha dasirad to gain
Harriat’s favor. Naxt, sha hopad to find a good catch for har daughtar at tha banquat tonight, andst
but notast, sha would saiza any advantaga that cama har way.
It was six o’clock whan all tha guasts gatharad in tha main hall. Tan minutastar, Anastasia racaivad a
call from Elliot.
“Dinnar is baginning soon, Anastasia. Ask your family toa ovar.”
“Okay,” sha rapliad.
“I might gat busiar tonight and won’t ba a to cara for Jarad and you. You must both taka cara of
yoursalvas.”
“I know that. Don’t worry about us.” Sha did not intand for him to look aftar tham too.
Tan minutastar, Francis, holding Jarad, togathar with Naomi and Anastasia, raachad tha main hall.
That night, tha banquat was dividad into thraa diffarant pariods: six-thirty to aight for dinnar, aight to
nina for all guasts to offar thair birthday congrattions to Harriat, and nina to tan for tha guasts’ fraa
tima to walk around and anjoy tha firaworks show.
As avaryona invitad to tha banquat was Prasgrava Group’s closa affiliatas and Harriat’s closa friands,
tha numbar of guasts was limitad to around ona hundrad. Though it wasn’t a lot, tha antira banquat
appaarad grand and luxurious.
Anastasia noticed Hayley, dressed to the nines, standing beside the fountain with Erica. They looked at
each other, as if they were on opposing sides fighting each other. Anastasia’s hatred for them was
burning in her heart.
Despite being the ones whomitted wrongs, Hayley and Erica showed no remorse. Instead, they
stood haughtily.
When Anastasia entered the main hall, all of the seats had names written on a gold te. When she
realized she hadn’t been assigned a seat with Francis, she approached an usher. “I’ll bring you to your
seat, Miss Tillman,” the usher said.
Surprised, she followed the usher to the main area, where her name was written on one of the seats on
the side. Elliot’s name was next to hers. Her heart pounded fast when she saw that. Jared’s seat was
beside hers, and Nigel was the next. Clearly, Elliot had arranged for this.
But Anastasia did not want to be this high-profiled. There were many noble and reputable guests
tonight, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to sit here.
She, therefore, called the manager over and informed him of her intention to move to the table where
her father was seated. Hearing that her family was at the other table, the manager immediately
arranged for her seat to be changed.
With that, she sat together with Francis, with Jared between them. Naomi was on the other side of
Francis, whereas Erica wasn’t there at all. She had gone to sit with Hayley.
Chapter 282
While sitting quietly in her seat, Anastasia raised her head and noticed a group of guests entering and
speaking quietly to the man in front of them. Clearly, that man was Elliot. He looked elegant and
charming in a ck suit, and his demeanor was a polite one too.
Tonight, he appeared less dominant but more modest and sophisticated. No matter which side of him
he revealed, the charm he exuded did not diminish. Her gaze was fixed on him as she was thinking,
and as if he felt that, his deep eyes looked at her across all the guests. He furrowed his brows in
displeasure when he noticed she had switched seats.
When their eyes met, her heart raced inexplicably. She was unsure what to do at that instant, and she
reflexively took her teacup, pretending to be drinking tea.
Hayley, on the other side of the hall, took everything in. When Elliot walked in, her gaze was already
fixed on him. As a result, she witnessed everything, including how he weed the guests and he
flirted with Anastasia.
At the same time, a posh ck car came to a halt beside the fountain outside the main hall. A slender
leg stepped down as the door opened, followed by ady dressed in a silver evening gown. The lights
highlighted this twenty-five-year-olddy’s wless makeup as well as her bright eyes.
She swayed her waist as she approached an elderly man who had gotten out of the car on the other
side and grabbed his elbow. “Let’s go in.”
The old man gave her his intricate gaze and let her hold his arms as he walked up the stairs. Elliot, who
had learned of his arrival, was already waiting for him at the main door.
“Hello, Lucas. I’m d you’ve arrived. Pleasee in!” Elliot greeted the elderly gentleman politely. He
was one of Elliot’s father’s few close friends when he was alive.
“Hello, Elliot! It’s been some time since Ist saw you!” Lucas gave Elliot a pat on his shoulder. At this
moment, a youngdy’s sweet voice was heard saying, “Dad, do introduce me as well.”
Lucas’ smile stiffened slightly as he heard that, but he quickly responded, “Elliot, this is my daughter,
Aliona.”Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
That took Elliot aback. Although he knew that Lucas had a son, this was his first time hearing Lucas
had a daughter.
“Hello, Miss Dora.”
“Hi, Young Master Elliot. I’m Aliona,” Aliona smilingly replied.
“Aliona, you may enter first. I’ll have a few words with Elliot,” Lucas faced Aliona and said.
“Sure, Dad,” she replied with a smile on her face.
Lucas couldn’t help but take Elliot’s hand in his with an intricate expression. “Elliot, Aliona is my
illegitimate child whom I have just acknowledged. Please look after her in the future.”
Elliot understood Lucas’ words and nodded. “I will.”
As almost all the guests had arrived, dinner was served. Anastasia saw that Elliot was back in his seat,
and Nigel was there as well. He even came over and said hello to her earlier. All of the dishes for
tonight were already on the table. Every one of them had its own auspicious meaning. The ingredients
were also fresh, appetizing, and enjoyable for everyone.
Anastasia was feeding Jared with Francis’ assistance, while Erica kept looking at Elliot, as if she was
hoping for something.
Hayley saw this too, and she silently mocked Erica in her heart. Is she eyeing Elliot as well?
While Anastasia was busy having her dinner, a man’s deep voice suddenly resonated behind her. “Mr.
Tillman, let me drink a toast to you.”
She didn’t turn her head, but she knew exactly who was behind her. Furthermore, hisrge palm rested
on her back, eerily stroking her and exuding a warmth that made her heart race.
But everyone at the table did not notice that, as they were busy responding to Elliot’s toast. Anastasia
had to stand up with the others as well, but the palm on her back remained. She was too shy to even
look at him.
“Hellodies and gentlemen, please excuse my bad hospitality,” he said modestly in his deep and
husky voice.
“Not at all.”
Everyone at this table was the elders of the Presgrave Family’s rtives. Facing this current young
pir of the family, they were filled with courtesy and respect.
Chapter 283
At the same time, Elliot’s hand, which was ced on Anastasia’s back, moved to Anastasia’s shoulder
and he softly whispered in her ear, “Take good care of them on my behalf, Anastasia.”
Her face immediately flushed red. His words had another meaning: he did not see her as a guest but
as a member of his family.
“Mr. Presgrave, you look handsome tonight!” Jared praised him.
“The same goes for you.” Elliot leaned down and rubbed Jared’s head with his big palm. “I’ll y with
youter.”
“Okay!” Jared nodded considerately.
Then, Elliot moved to the other tables. Anastasia only looked at him when he left and she noticed Rey
was actually following Elliot around. Though Elliot had Rey with him, it was clear that he was the only
pir of the Presgrave Family. Thinking of this, she suddenly sensed his loneliness in the midst of the
bustling atmosphere.
Her heart ached for him when she realized he was the only one supporting the Presgrave Group.
Outsiders only saw his morous side, but who could understand how much effort he had exercised
and how lonely he was?
Even the food tasted bitter to her now. When she looked at him again, she noticed that he was still
dominant despite being alone, as if he had the world behind him.
Meanwhile, Elliot had arrived at Hayley’s table. Since everyone at this table was the Presgrave
Family’s younger generation, he toasted them patronizingly and left after a few unimportant greetings.
Hayley didn’t even get a chance to brag about how close she was to him.
“Hayley, since you’re so close to the Presgrave Family, are you familiar with Elliot then?” Erica asked
curiously.
“Everything I have now was given by him. What do you think?” Hayley boastfully answered.
“What? Are you that close to him? Then…” Erica was tongue-tied upon hearing that as envy and
jealousy began to fill her heart.
“I’ll tell you more about itter.” Hayley did not want to exin further at the dining table, but Erica
remained shocked and envious of Hayley’s words. What is she keeping from me? Is she hiding
something?
Hayley wasn’t afraid of telling Erica about her rtionship with Elliot too since Erica would never have
the chance to be in contact with Elliot. Besides, Erica was a simpleton; Hayley could easilye up
with something to fool her.
All of the guests had finished their dinner by 8.00PM and it was time to head to the birthday celebration
hall to extend their birthday greetings. Nigel came over to take Jared away and Anastasia followed
Francis out of the dining hall.
The birthday celebration hall already had lively music ying with lights shing while all the guests
were talking cheerfully. Overall, it was a joyous scene. The elders, who were close rtives of the
Presgrave Family, were the first to wish Harriet. While they were doing so, Anastasia had the sudden
urge to take a walk outside to relieve her mind.
“Dad, you all should head over first. I’ll be thereter.”
Then, Anastasia chose a less busy road and walked down it. That night, the sky was breathtaking.
After being used to the hustle and bustle of the city, it felt great to be there in this vast and spacious
vi for a while.
The hustling sound behind her gradually faded. She was surprised to see a firefly by theke after only
a few minutes of walking. She hadn’t seen one in more than ten years, so she couldn’t help but follow
it.
As she approached another vi nearby, she heard a man’s voice that sounded familiar to her as he
asked someone coldly, “Why are you here? Get out.”
Hearing that, Anastasia halted her steps. Is this Elliot? He’s here?
She panicked at this moment and subconsciously hid under the window. Outside the opened window,
the sound inside the vi could be clearly heard.
“My dear nephew, do you no longer recognize me as your uncle?” This was a middle-aged man’s
voice.
“I’m not going to let you ruin my grandmother’s birthday party. Get out right now.” Elliot’s voice reflected
both his warning and his rage.
“Your grandma is my stepmother as well, and hence, I should show my respect to her. Don’t stop me
from doing so, will you?” The man’s voice sounded as if he was pleading with Elliot.
However, Elliot remained extremely hostile toward the man. “You’re not even qualified to see her. The
Presgrave Family has no room for you either. Don’t me me for being ruthless if you insist.”
Chapter 284
“Elliot, I remember holding you in my arms as a child many years ago. More than two decades had
passed, and you had grown up to be the head of the Presgrave Family. Now I’m so proud of you!”
Using their family ties, the man attempted to gain Elliot’s sympathy. He then continued pleading, “Do
this uncle of yours a favor, Elliot. Let me see your grandma; I need just ten minutes.”
“Let me say it again. Get out.” Elliot’s tone was cold and unforgiving.
“You…” The man was suppressing his rage.
Despite hiding under the window outside, Anastasia could feel the tension inside the vi.
“Do you really want to be this heartless, Elliot? I’m still one of the Presgraves and, on top of that, your
uncle! How can you be so disrespectful to me?”
“The Presgrave Family has no such person. To me, you’re a nobody,” Elliot replied tly.
“Well. What you said today would be etched in my mind. You’ll definitely regret it!” Riley yelled, followed
by the mming sound of the door.
The sound startled Anastasia, who was hiding outside, and consequently, she stepped on a dried leaf,
making a small rustling sound.
“Come out now, whoever you are.” Elliot’s uninterested voice rang out from within.
She had wanted to leave, but she was so stupefied by his words that her heart raced again. As a result,
she had no choice but to respond, “It’s me, Anastasia.”
Following her words, a figure appeared by the window. Elliot’s voice softened as he looked at her in
surprise. “Why are you here?”
“If I said I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, would you believe me?” she asked embarrassingly. The situation
was just too awkward for her.
To that, he gave her a gentle smile. “Of course I do. Come in!”
She went in through the main door and discovered that he was the only one in the vi. Sitting on the
sofa, he lit a cigarette and started smoking. Clearly, he wasn’t in a good mood.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have eavesdropped. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone else,” she said,
raising her palm. There was nothing to be said about this anyway.
Seeing that, he put out the cigarette he had just lit and said, “Have a walk with me.”
And she eded. They both walked down a bamboo path that had no one on it toward a bamboo
forest with a few dimly lit lights. Looking at his upright body in front of her, she had no idea what to say.
“He’s my father’s half-brother who was chased out of the family twenty years ago.”
She pursed her lips hearing that. “I know. Your grandma told me about him this afternoon. Your parents
passed away because of him, right?”
Her words took him by surprise. Turning around, he said, “My grandma really treats you as her family.”
That made her face blush, as she knew that Herriot indeed meant so.
“My parents flew abroad to deal with the mess he created, but the helicopter crashed, ending both their
lives,” he said, raising his head. The light shone on his face, reflecting his sadness.
Her heart ached for him, but she had no idea what to say to console him.
But actions could express those that words couldn’t. She extended her hand and held his arm, her
gaze revealing her silent concern for him.
With that, he looked at her hand and quickly gripped it, his other hand holding her waist. They were
intimately close to each other.
That made her gasp for air, but she did not break herself away from him. He was staring at her with his
burning eyes, so alluring that any woman would fall for him just by looking at him.
And that included Anastasia too. She wasn’t a y figurine or a doll, and her heart, like everyone
else’s, would be moved. Especially now, when he was vulnerable and was desperate for someone’s
comfort.
He approached her with his head tilted slightly, and she didn’t need him to tell her what he was about to
do.
Perhaps it was the light, or the moon, or this man himself, who bewitched her. His arms were tight
around her waist, and every breath she took was filled with his enticing scent. But she was well aware
that what she was doing was wrong.
Chapter 285
Anastasia should have pushed Elliot away, but her body froze as if someone had put a stop button on
her. A wave of heat rose from her torso and reached her cheek. Her heart pounded in her chest, and all
she could do was watch his kiss falling down on her.
“Elliot, don’t do this…” When his lips were about to reach hers, she made some half-hearted efforts to
stop him.
But Elliot seemed to know that her resistance didn’t reflect her actual feelings. The corner of his lips
curled up, and he sealed his lips over hers. The bamboo forest was peaceful, and muffled sounds from
the banquet hall were all that reached their ears, but that didn’t matter.
Anastasia’s head was on his warm, muscr chest, and she could feel his heart hammering against
hers. It felt safe yet dangerous.
He provided a sense of security while also emanating a sense of danger.
The stars in the sky sprinkled down on the bamboo forest. And in the forest, a man was pouring his
heart and soul into the woman in his arms.
At that moment, Anastasia’s mind was shifting between two different states. One was making her mind
go nk and dizzy, but the other was dreamy and mesmerizing; she couldn’t help but sink deeper into
this wonderful dream that Elliot had brought her into.
This kiss had put her heart into turmoil; she felt bashful and sweet.
For Elliot, the warmth and elegant fragrance of Anastasia’s body transformed into aforting therapy,
leaving him addicted to it and unwilling to let go of her.
Moreover, this feeling reminded him of that night five years ago, but he quickly shook the thought off. At
this moment, he didn’t want to think about another woman’s scent while he was kissing her.
Finally, as Anastasia sensed through the clothes that Elliot was bing more dangerous, she quickly
came back to her senses. Tonight was Old Madam Presgrave’s birthday party, and it was inappropriate
to kiss in this setting.
So, she slightly pushed him away. Elliot let go of her and rested his forehead against hers. His ck
eyes reflected her blushed face as he said in a husky voice, “Don’t fall in love with anyone else but
me.”
Anastasia’s lips curved up as she replied, “Does President Presgraveck self-confidence today?”
As soon as he heard her, his eyes glowed with a strong possessiveness. “You can only be mine,” he
imed as he held her tightly in his arms.
Anastasia looked up and blinked her eyes at Elliot a few times. Her eyes were reflecting the starlights
and his face.
She didn’t respond because she wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t refute it because she didn’t dislike his
possessiveness in her heart.
Without warning, he suddenly leaned down and nibbled lightly on her ear. “If you don’t answer, I’ll take
that as a yes,” he said with a hoarse voice.
Elliot’s statement rendered her speechless.
The reason I’m not answering is that I wanted to show you some respect, alright?
Just then, Elliot’s cell phone rang. He took his phone out and glimpsed at it. “It’s time to go back for my
grandmother’s birthday celebration,” he said.
Rey was looking for him.
After leaving the bamboo forest, Anastasia took a few deep breaths before returning to the party. She
was afraid that others would notice there was something between her and Elliot, so she hurried to
search for her son.
When Elliot saw her walk away as if to get away from him, a trace of frustration shed across his
eyes.
In the banquet hall, Hayley kept looking for an opportunity to walk up and wish Old Madam Presgrave a
happy birthday, but there were too many elders, and Old Madam Presgrave was surrounded by people
all the time.
Aside from that, she was also looking for Elliot for the past fifteen minutes. Elliot and Anastasia both
went away at the same time, which made her wonder. She imagined Anastasia had taken advantage of
the situation to seduce Elliot.
In fact, she wasn’t wrong. They were indeed together.
Meanwhile, Hayley looked up to see Elliot had returned to the hall. But when she turned around,
Anastasia miraculously appeared beside Francis. She couldn’t stop herself from clenching her palm
around the ss she was holding.
Were they together just now?
Out of jealousy, Hayley seemed to hatch a plot against Anastasia. She pulled Erica to the side and
whispered something in her ear. Then, Erica nodded and assured, “Don’t worry. I will carry out your
n.”
After Erica left the banquet hall, she walked toward the swimming pool. When she looked up at the
main seats, she noticed that Old Madam Presgrave was leaving the hall with the assistance of her
maid. Without a second thought, she quickly pulled a waitress to the side. “Please tell Miss Tillman that
she is wanted by Old Madam Presgrave at the poolside,” she instructed.
Since Erica was a guest and it was just a matter of bringing a message, the waitress smiled and said,
“Sure.”
Just when Anastasia started to worry as she couldn’t find her son, she received a phone call from
Nigel. He assured her that he was at the children’s y area with her son and that she need not be
concerned.
Chapter 286
Nigel was not a big fan of socializing at the party, so he was relieved that he got away by looking after
Anastasia’s little boy.
“Miss Tillman, Old Madam Presgrave would like to see you by the poolside,” said the waitress as she
approached Anastasia.
Anastasia was slightly surprised by the request, but when she nced around and realized Old Madam
Presgrave was not in her seat, she nodded and responded, “Okay. Thank you for informing me.”
As Erica watched Anastasia exit the banquet hall, the corner of her mouth twisted up into a devilish
smirk. Hayley’s n is working.
At the poolside, just when Anastasia wondered why Old Madam Presgrave would choose this ce to
have a conversation, she noticed Hayley sitting on the pool lounge chair. As soon as Hayley saw
Anastasia, she stood up and sneered, “You’re here.”
Only then did Anastasia realize that she had been fooled. She became defensive as she red at
Hayley. “Why did you trick me intoing here?” she asked.
“Were you with Elliot just now, Anastasia? What exactly are you two up to? Are you guys messing
around at Old Madam Presgrave’s birthday party?” Hayley provoked her.
Anastasia could feel her cheek heated up. Did Hayley spot us?
Without waiting for Anastasia’s response, Hayley continued, “You really don’t mind that I slept with
Elliot? Do you want me to go into details of how we spent the night together?” Viciousness shed
across her eyes as she spoke with a smug face.
“As far as I know, it happened when he was not sober.” Anastasia pretended to be indifferent.
“No matter what state Elliot was in, it didn’t change the fact that he was sweating on me, kissing me,
and holding me tight in his arms. I was so happy that I was swooning under him.” Hayley kept her smug
face as she recalled that night.
“Stop it.” Anastasia cut Hayley off as her chest heaved with ragged breath.
“His body is well-built, and he has incredible stamina. I still remember his frantic eyes and how he held
me tightly afterward; I remember him removing his watch and giving it to me. His pounding heart, his
scorching body—” Hayley’s eyes gleamed with shyness and sweetness.
Hearing Hayley’s description, Anastasia could feel a wave of pain washing over her from the bottom of
her heart. It wasn’t hard for her to imagine Hayley and Elliot hugging together, because she and Elliot
had just shared an intimate moment earlier.
Hayley curled up the corner of her lips and approached Anastasia with a sinister smile. “I also told Elliot
how your son came to be, Anastasia. His father is a filthy male escort. Who knows how many women
he touches in a month? You should get a medical check-up done because if you die from that kind of
disease, there will be no one to take care of your illegitimate son.”
Anastasia was so furious that her whole body was trembling. Although she knew Hayley was trying to
provoke her with those offensive statements, she couldn’t take it anymore because Hayley was
insulting her son.
Now, Hayley was only two steps away from Anastasia. Her mockery was clearly seen in her eyes.
“Your kid, Anastasia, had the filthiest blood flowing through his veins. Perhaps he would follow in his
father’s footsteps in the future. Like father, like son!” she snarled.
“Hayley Seymour, you better shut your mouth,” Anastasia warned.
Staring at Hayley’s smug face, Anastasia clenched her fist tightly to refrain from pping her face.
However, Hayley’s eyes swept across the corridor, and she suddenly grabbed Anastasia’s hand. “You
want to p me, don’t you? Go ahead and p me!” she yelled at her to provoke her.
Anastasia was taken aback by her actions and tried to break away from her hands.
“So what if I don’t shut up? I want the whole world to know your son’s father. I want him to be despised,
and I want your son to live in shame for the rest of his life!” Hayley shouted shrilly.
Hearing what she had said, Anastasia was getting colder. She gritted her teeth and growled, “Keep
going if you dare.”
Then, Anastasia started to feel disgusted by Hayley’s hands, which were sping on her wrists.
Therefore, she pushed Hayley away abruptly, attempting to break free from her grip. However, Hayley
curved her lips and smirked at Anastasia as she let herself fall behind and into the swimming pool.
Seeing that, Anastasia froze for a few seconds. Before she could react, she heard someone shouting
behind her, “Oh my! Someone has fallen into the water! Please help!”
I know this voice. It’s Erica.
Immediately after, she heard another female voice. “Here! We need some help over here!”
Chapter 287
When Anastasia turned her head around, she saw two middle-aged female guests standing by the
pool. Their attention was drawn to Hayley, who was struggling in the water and appeared to be
drowning.
“H-Help, I can’t swim…” Hayley cried for help in a faint voice.
“Miss, how can you push someone into the water?!” One of the guests red at Anastasia usingly.
“You should get down there and save her!” shemanded.
At that moment, Anastasia’s heart sank. She realized that she had jumped into a trap set up by Hayley
and Erica. Now that Hayley had deliberately fallen into the water while Erica’s two witnesses were
there, Anastasia was painted as the bad guy.
The situation became critical as Hayley bobbed up and down in the six-foot-deep pool.
Meanwhile, the two female guests paced along the edge of the swimming pool frantically, for they didn’t
know how to swim.
There was no doubt that Anastasia despised Hayley to the core, but she couldn’t ruin someone else’s
life at Old Madam Presgrave’s birthday party.
Hence, she removed her heels and dove into the water. She swam toward Hayley and tried to pull her
to the surface.
Hayley was surprised to see Anastasia jumping in to save her. As she iled about in the water, a
murderous intent began to develop in her eyes. Just as Anastasia reached out to grab Hayley’s arm,
thetter yanked Anastasia forcefully and pressed her head deeper into the pool.
There will be no one to me if Anastasia drowns while trying to save me. In fact, people will only
me her stupidity for trying to save someone’s life when she can’t even swim herself!
Hayley only dared to jump into the pool because she was confident she wouldn’t drown. She had
recently taken up swimming for fitness purposes, and she was doing well under the guidance of her
private coach.
As Anastasia sank deeper into the pool, she felt the pressure of death.
Hayley is trying to kill me!
Anastasia realized Hayley could swim by how she was treading water, but she couldn’t react as the air
in her lungs was being exhausted. It went without saying that Hayley was going to take this chance to
drown her.
Moreover, she could vaguely hear the sound of the two guests yelling for help. “Help! Somebody needs
help over here!”
“Goodness! Why would she get into the water if she can’t swim? This will put her life in jeopardy!” the
women said frantically.
They couldn’t see how Hayley was holding Anastasia down under the water, so they thought she
couldn’t swim.
On the other hand, Hayley seemed to be struggling as she pped her hands in the water and even
choked, but her hand was firmly pressed on Anastasia’s back, burying her beneath the water so that
she couldn’t catch her breath.
Right then, a tall figure rushed out from the banquet hall. Erica had called Elliot over to help, and he
immediately noticed the two women in the water, especially the floating gray evening gown that
belonged to Anastasia. “Quick! Go and save them,” Elliot instructed Rey as he hurried toward the pool
and removed his coat.
By the time both men jumped into the water and swam toward Anastasia and Hayley, Anastasia was
already in a semi-conscious state. When Hayley saw that Elliot wasing to save them, she choked
a mouthful of water and pretended to be drowning as she sank deeper into the water.
As soon as Hayley sensed a strong arm holding her, she forced her eyes open underwater to find that
Rey was the one who had saved her, not Elliot. In the meantime, Elliot had carried Anastasia in his
arms and was swimming toward the surface.
With the help of the crowd who cameter, Anastasia and Hayley were both brought up to the poolside.
Elliot went down on one knee in front of Anastasia and performed rescue breathing as soon as they
reached the surface. First, he applied chestpressions before giving the woman CPR.
On the other hand, Rey had also rescued Hayley from the pool, but he did not dare to perform CPR on
her. Hayley didn’t want it from Rey either, not when she was right in front of Elliot.
As such, she pretended to cough out a mouthful of water and feebly opened her eyes.
“Miss Seymour is awake,” Rey reported.
However, Elliot didn’t seem to hear Rey’s words, and he was busy rescuing Anastasia next to them. He
continued to perform CPR on her while frantically calling out her name, “Anastasia… Anastasia, wake
up! Please don’t scare me.”
Hayley’s eyes shed with hatred as she saw that. ording to her original n, she was supposed to
be the only one who fell into the pool so that Erica could get Elliot to rescue her. She never anticipated
Anastasia to save her, which was why she decided to drown that woman. However, Elliot had arrived
too soon.
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At this moment, Hayley had just witnessed the man she loved the most performing CPR on Anastasia
and constantly calling her name. The worry and panic in his eyes clearly demonstrated his concern for
Anastasia.
Meanwhile, Erica was dumbfounded by this as she stood to the side.
ording to Hayley’s n, Elliot is supposed to save her. Why is he saving Anastasia now?
Anastasia eventually regained consciousness, and the first thing that she saw was Elliot’s nervous yet
gorgeous face.
“You’re finally awake.” Elliot’s fingers trembled as he caressed her cold, pale face. At the same time,
his deep eyes filled with ecstasy.
A round of apuse erupted from the crowd. The twodies who had fallen into the water had been
rescued, and that was good news in itself.
Meanwhile, someone in the crowd watched the scene unfold with mixed emotions. The noble and
handsome man was kneeling on the ground and soaked to the skin, overjoyed that he had managed to
save Anastasia.
As Anastasia sat up, Elliot’s suit draped over her body. Right then, she raised her head to meet
Hayley’s resentful eyes.
Anastasia pushed away Elliot’s helping hand and stumbled to her feet. Without much strength, she
walked toward Hayley step by step persistently. Then, she raised her hand and pped the other
woman forcefully.
The strong p shifted Hayley’s face to the side. Tears streamed down her face as she raised her head
and said, “I’m sorry, Anastasia. I know you were kind enough to save me, but you know that I’m afraid
of water. I didn’t mean to drag you into the water.”
After saying that, Hayley gave Erica a signal through her teary eyes. Thetter understood Hayley’s
message right away, so she waddled through the crowd and asked, “Hayley, are you alright? Are you
hurt anywhere?”
Then, Erica turned her head toward Anastasia and confronted her. “I saw you pushing her with my own
eyes, yet you have the audacity to p her. Do you even have a heart?” she chided.
“Don’t me Anastasia for this, Erica. I was the one who identally fell into the water,” Hayley said
with tears in her eyes.
“Ladies, would you twoe forward and do Hayley justice? Did you see Anastasia push Hayley?”
Erica asked the two female guests who had just witnessed the incident, eagerly hoping that they would
testify.
At that moment, Anastasia’s body swayed slightly. She almost suffocated earlier and had lost all her
strength. Just then, a strong arm wrapped around her waist while she leaned against someone’s broad
chest. Naturally, she knew who it was without having to turn her head around.
Everyone wanted to know what was going on, so more and more guests gathered around the pool. The
two female guests who were being questioned by Erica exchanged nces before one of them said,
“We saw Miss Tillman pushing Miss Seymour into the water. However, when Miss Seymour called for
help, Miss Tillman jumped into the pool to save her.”
At this point, Hayley staggered to her feet, shivering as she hugged herself. Then, she looked at Elliot
and said, “Don’t me Anastasia, Elliot. I-I fell into the water by ident, and she almost drowned
while trying to save me. I deserve this p because I dragged her down with me. In fact, I deserve to
die.”
After saying that, Hayley covered her face and started to sob loudly as if she was truly ming herself.
“Hayley, why are you still speaking up for her? She’s obviously taking revenge on you! She wants you
to take the me for that incident where she got raped by a male escort five years ago. She wants you
dead!” Erica’s voice was shrill, and the words she said were loud and resounding. It seemed as though
she was afraid that the crowd couldn’t hear her.
In an instant, Anastasia’s face turned pale as she trembled with anger, for the duo wasn’t done picking
on her just yet.
“Keep your mouth shut, Erica,” Elliot warned. His eyes darted at her like a cutting de as he didn’t
want to hear another word from the woman.
Erica was so frightened by Elliot’s threats that she shut her mouth immediately. However, the damage
had already been done, for her words dropped like a bomb among the crowd.
What? A male escort raped Miss Tillman?
This information aroused sympathy among the crowd, but it also made people specte about
Anastasia’s past.
“What about pushing Miss Seymour into the water and pping her without an apology?”
“You’re right! This kind of behavior is uneptable.”
Chapter 289
“Exactly! If you don’t want to apologize, why did you p her? Look at Miss Seymour—she’s such a
poor thing.”
Anastasia was feeling a lot of pressure deep down as she listened to everyone else criticizing her. After
all, only she and Hayley knew how thetter had tried to kill her underwater. However, those who
judged her without knowing the truth were equally hurtful.
Meanwhile, Elliot ignored the gazes from the crowd and carried the barely conscious Anastasia into his
arms. He then instructed Rey, “Take Miss Seymour inside to get her clothes changed.”
“Elliot…” yelled a sobbing Hayley. Her heart ached from a stabbing pain as she watched Anastasia
being carried away by the man.
Even after all of that acting and drama, Anastasia still emerged as the final winner. She received all of
Elliot’s love and care, yet the man did not even spare a word of concern for Hayley.
Anastasia’s first thought after being sent inside for a clean change of clothes was her son. As such, she
turned to Elliot and said, “Don’t tell Jared what just happened.”
“Don’t worry! I have informed Nigel not to bring him over, and Jared is still in the yroom,” Elliot
comforted her.
Anastasia clenched the quilt tightly as she came to terms with Hayley’s viciousness. She was certain
that Hayley had purposely pressed her into the water with the intention of drowning her.
“Why did you jump into the water to save her when you can’t swim?” Elliot frowned as he asked. He
didn’t dare to me Anastasia, but his chest tightened since he was worried about her.
“Tonight is your grandma’s birthday banquet. It’ll be a bad omen if someone dies,” replied Anastasia,
expressing what she felt at the time of the incident.
However, she never expected Hayley, who couldn’t swim five years ago, would learn to swim.
“Did you know that you nearly…” Elliot couldn’t even finish his sentence as he waspletely terrified
of what had just happened. She would’ve been dead if he arrived even a few secondste.
In other words, the only reason why Anastasia was still alive was that Elliot had acted quickly and
executed a sessful rescue. Otherwise, she would have not survived at all.
“Thank you,” Anastasia said genuinely. She could not imagine what would happen to her son if she
were dead.
“I don’t want you to thank me; I just want you to cherish your life in the future. Don’t let this kind of thing
happen again.” Elliot’s eyes were filled with worry as he stepped forward and took her into his arms.
“Since I have saved your life, will you live a good life for me?” he asked.
Anatasia was feeling the aftershock of the incident. Just then, she raised her head to look up at Elliot
and blurted, “President Presgrave, can you promise me one thing? If something happens to me in the
future, please help me to raise Jared on my behalf.”
Her words made his heart tremble. He held her tighter as he nced into her deep eyes and said,
“Nonsense! I am not going to let Jared lose his mother. We will raise him together.”
Anastasia batted her eyes at Elliot after she heard him. His gaze was like a ck hole, drawing her into
his heart.
Just then, she started to feel dizzy. Elliot ced a kiss on her forehead and said, “Stop overthinking.
Just get some good rest.”
At that very moment, Elliot’s cell phone rang. He nced at the caller ID and answered the call.
“What’s the matter?”
“President Presgrave, Miss Seymour is attempting tomit suicide,” said Rey promptly.
“What?” Elliot scowled.
“She wants to see you,” Rey replied anxiously at the other end.
“Okay, I’lle right away.” After Elliot hung up the phone, he tucked Anastasia into bed. Then, he
added, “Have a good rest. I need to go now.”
Elliot was sitting close to her, so Anastasia had overheard the conversation about Hayley wanting to
commit suicide.
Hah! Of course she’d y all her tricks to get Elliot to go over.
“Just go ahead!” Since she felt exhausted after the entire ordeal, Anastasiay on her side and closed
her eyes.
When Elliot arrived at Hayley’s room, she was standing in front of the third-floor window, refusing to let
anyone approach her. She stretched one leg out the window, looking as though she’d fall out at any
moment.
“Come back here, Hayley!” Elliot pushed the door open and shouted at her. Meanwhile, his brows were
deeply furrowed.
Hayley’s tears streamed down her face when she noticed Elliot was there. “You’ve finallye to see
me, Elliot. I-I thought you didn’t care about me anymore. I would rather die instead,” she said through
tears.
After saying that, Hayley leaned her upper body toward the window.
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“I w-won’t get down if you don’t carry me.” The agitated Hayley held back a sob.
Elliot immediately stepped forward to carry her down in his arms, whereas Erica who stood aside kept
pointing her phone’s camera at them as she recorded the whole thing. Hayley had her arms hanging to
Elliot’s neck as she intimately leaned against his shoulder.
He then put her down on her bed, and he pried open her grip on him. “Have a good rest. Don’t take
things too hard.”
“Elliot, do you believe me? Do you believe that Anastasia was the one who pushed me into the water?”
she asked tearfully. She panickedly exined in order to make him believe her, “I didn’t mean to press
her head in the water. I was really scared at that time. All I know is I instinctively wanted to live. I didn’t
know that I held her in the water… I swear I didn’t mean to.”
“Take a rest first.” His eyes held a somber look in them. He knew exactly who to trust.
Between Hayley and Anastasia, he only trusted thetter.
“What is the point of living if you don’t believe me?” Emotionally perturbed, she struggled and wanted to
continue jumping out of the window.
Seeing that, he had no choice but to hold her down as he sighed, “Enough. You were just shocked.”
After saying that, he looked over to Daniel who had been responsible for taking care of Hayley’s affairs
all this time. He then said, “Danny, stay here and take care of Miss Seymour. The rest of you can
leave.”
“Understood, President Presgrave,” the man replied with a nod.
“Elliot, don’t go. Elliot…” Despite how she tried to make him stay, he still unhesitantly left.
As soon as Erica came out of the door, she felt a deadly stare on her, only to find that it was from Elliot.
He exuded an overpowering aura as though he was The Devil himself. “Erica,” he warningly started, “I
won’t let you off the hook if you try starting something again.”
The short warning instantly turned her face pale as her heart trembled.
Right after Elliot left, Erica’s fear turned into resentment. She hated how unfair it was for him to treat
Anastasia like a treasure, and yet she had been spoken at in such a cruel tone even though they were
both women.
Harriet was in the banquet hall when she heard the startling report about how Hayley and Anastasia
were almost hurt in an ident, whereas Francis and Naomi only found out after Erica came back.
Francis wanted to go to Anastasia, but he was stopped by Naomi before he did.
“Don’t go, Francis. Anastasia should be resting. I am sure the Presgraves are taking care of her!”
“I agree with Mom! Why are you going to her, Dad? Anastasia is fine!” Erica didn’t want Francis to see
Anastasia when she was so weak in order to prevent her father from over-worrying.
Anastasia had fallen asleep, and in front of her bed, Elliot kept apanying her without leaving once.
Anastasia could finally have a good sleep tonight since Jared will be brought back to Nigel’s house.
The birthday banquet ended perfectly. Although there was a false emergency in the middle of it, it was
still fortunate that no one was harmed.
In a vi in the city center, Aliona had just returned from outside. She pushed open the door and turned
toward the middle-aged man who had been waiting for her on the sofa. “Father,” she respectfully
greeted.
This man was none other than Elliot’s uncle, Riley Presgrave. He looked at her with a serious gaze,
and he demanded to know. “I hope Elliot hasn’t discovered your identity!”
She shook her head in response. “He didn’t discover my identity, but I didn’t manage to get his
attention either.”
“What was the matter? Did you not take the opportunity to get close to him?” He stared at her sharply.
“Something happened tonight. There was another woman on Elliot’s mind. However, I have assumed
the identity as Lucas’ illegitimate daughter. He has no doubts about this. I will have the opportunity to
approach him in the future,” she calmly told him..
“Tell me everything that happened tonight.” His eyes were practically shining with ambition. He came
back this time to take back the Presgrave Group by all means possible. At the same time, he raised a
fostered daughter and sent her to Lucas, who was already under his control. Lucas was a close friend
of Elliot’s deceased father when he was alive, and Lucas had always been respectful to him. Aliona’s
mission from now on was to get close to Elliot, win his favor, and finally marry him. She would then be
Riley’s ultimate weapon in getting back the property that had been snatched away from him.
“Don’t be silly, Hayley. Come back here. ” Elliot reached out his hand in a hurry. “Come on.”