Chapter 53


    “It has nothing to do with you,” Anastasia mumbled hoarsely while pondering, “Would he have carried


    out an investigation if he hadn’t been exploring every avenue to get a divorce?”


    “Nothing to do with me? Anastasia, we’re a married couple!” stor’s voice was subdued, and he


    appeared to be losing control.


    At that moment, Anastasia noticed the strong scent of alcohol emanating from stor and realized he


    had been drinking. Knowing stor well enough, Anastasia knew he wasn’t someone who indulged in


    excessive drinking or had a fondness for alcohol.


    Besides, he seldom drank due to stomach issues, even in social situations.


    But now, stor seemed to be drinking constantly.


    She wondered, “Has he decided to stop pretending? Or does he finally feel free to be himself?”


    Indeed, Anastasia had not truly grasped enough about stor’s character.


    It was understandable since they had only been married for four years. How much could one learn


    about a person in such a short period?


    “A married couple? Are you sure, stor?” questioned Anastasia, “You wouldn’t have reignited your


    rtionship with your first crush and engaged in such actions if you truly cared about us.”


    “You have no right to criticize me! Am I the only one who doesn’t care about this rtionship?” stor


    stood up. “You were right when you said that Felicia and I have a rtionship different from the one


    between you and Jace. I’ve known Felicia since we were 18 years old, and I’m well aware of all her


    ws and little schemes. Despite her materialistic and vain ways, she’s always transparent with her


    emotions andcks the same level of deceitfulness as others!”


    stor appeared to be using the influence of alcohol to release his pent-up emotions.


    Sitting in a chair, Anastasia looked at stor numbly and thought, “He’s insinuating me. He’s criticizing


    me for being scheming and masking my emotions too well.”


    With a mocking smile, Anastasia lowered her head and continued thinking, “I must have be quite


    annoying to stor. Even though I also feel repulsed by my current state, I can’t help it.”


    A person’s personality was shaped by their environment.


    Sadly, Anastasia hadn’t been brought up in a positive environment.


    After enduring so much hardship, she didn’t expect stor to entirely understand what she had been


    through. However, even a small amount of empathy and tenderness from him would’ve been met with


    her wholeheartedness.


    Finally, Anastasia said, “I’m scheming.” Looking at the four agreements before her, Anastasia thought,


    “That seems… to be


    true.”


    Taking a deep breath, Anastasia continued, “I’m also malicious. In that case, you can only consider


    yourself unlucky for crossing paths with me.”


    “Anastasia, do you really think I’m afraid of you?” stor braced himself against the table as he looked


    at her. “If it weren’t for our four years of rtionship, I would’ve shown you my ruthlessness, which I’m


    sure you know well.”


    stor was reminding Anastasia that he was reaching his limit.


    stor had been holding back since Anastasia found out about his rtionship with Felicia.


    Anastasia was the one who had been persistently pushing the boundaries and being unreasonable.


    “Anastasia, it’s frightening to see how you’ve utilized everyone you can get your hands on to get to


    where you are today,” stor remarked as he picked up the four agreements from the table.


    “Back then, Jace almostmitted murder because of your instigation. That wasn’t enough, as you


    also framed Meredith and Harold for domestic violence and sexual assault. During university days, you


    resorted to selling your body to make money. To secure your interest, you rushed into blind dates and


    had a blitz marriage after graduation. Now, you are resorting to even more ruthless tactics to safeguard


    your benefits.”


    Anastasia furrowed her brows and trembled as she looked at stor. Her eyes burned as tears welled


    up, and her throat was so dry that she couldn’t utter a word.


    She was uncertain whether stor was ndering her to obtain the divorce or if he genuinely


    misunderstood her.


    Abastasia knew these rumors had never ceased since her days in school, but she never imagined that


    stor would believe in something so baseless.


    “He actually believes in those rumors?” she questioned inwardly.


    “Did you think everything was smooth sailing when you held the position of Mrs. Lopez? Do you know


    how many times I’ve cleaned up after you? Even Xavier Camden imed to have slept with you! If I


    hadn’t suppressed all the news on your behalf, who do you think would be the one feeling ashamed


    now?” It was evident that stor had had quite a lot of drinks.


    After years of holding back, he was finally blurting out all the unspoken words he had held back.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Anastasia’s stomach churned intensely.


    “Xavier Camden? The same Xavier that I’ve been working with for the art exhibitions?” she thought.


    Xavier was one of Anastasia’s few friends of the opposite sex.


    “Xavier told you that?” asked Anastasia as she rasped out a hot breath.


    She knew she could never prove her innocence when her good friend was the one who made up this


    calumny.


    “Why? Are you refusing to admit to your wrongdoings? Look at these!” stor took out his phone and


    threw it in front of


    Anastasia.


    His photo album was full of Anastasia’s nude pictures taken while she was in a deep slumber.