Revenge is My Love Language novel Chapter 577

"In all these years, why have you never mentioned you were just Cecilia's adopted daughter?!"

"I…" Lauren's vision swam. She felt herself swaying, realizing that if she didn't handle this perfectly, everything she had built in this circle would crumble.

Hatred roiled inside her, a vicious desire to tear Anastasia to shreds.

"I was just… self-conscious about my status," she murmured, lowering her head in a show of false humility.

Self-conscious? The excuse was plausible, but—

"And what about the other things Anastasia said? Is it true? Did you really do all that?!"

"Of course not!" Otto strode into the circle, his face grim as he came to his student's defense. He shot a cold glare at Anastasia before addressing the others. "You've all known Lauren for years. Don't you know what kind of person she is? With her character, how could she possibly do such things?"

"So she had nothing to do with today's incident either?"

"Absolutely not!"

At that, Anastasia spoke up, her voice light and casual. "If that's the case, why is Ms. Brennan in such a hurry to leave?" She crossed her arms, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "If you feel that my suspecting you is an insult, that's fine. If the investigation proves you're innocent, I'll apologize to you immediately."

Her words were, as always, a direct hit, rendering Lauren's previous excuses useless.

Others in the crowd nodded in agreement. "That's right. If Lauren is innocent, she should stay and clear her name. It wouldn't be good for her reputation to have these suspicions hanging over her."

Lauren's expression tensed, her palms growing slick with sweat. If she could get out of here now, she could erase any incriminating evidence and this crisis would pass. But if she was trapped here, unable to act, she would be finished the moment Anastasia's people found something.

Lauren offered a faint, confident smile. "It's a young girl who also has autism. She won't let anyone but me near her. If we delay any longer, I can't guarantee what might happen."

The implication was clear: if Anastasia didn't let her go, she would be seen as cruel and heartless. What was more important, her investigation or a patient's life?

The standoff was tense. A triumphant glint appeared in Lauren's eyes.

Anastasia slowly glanced at her, her lips parting to speak, but she was interrupted by Logan.

"Mr. Lancaster!"

***