Revenge is My Love Language novel Chapter 601

He couldn't help but wonder what might have been if they had taken Anastasia Sterling in from the very beginning and nurtured her talent.

With that thought, he glanced at Lauren Brennan again. For years, she had been the prodigy the entire Brennan family prided themselves on. But compared to Anastasia, she seemed utterly dim and insignificant.

"Thank you for saving your cousin," the old man said, sighing inwardly. He chose his words carefully. "If you'd like, you can stay for dinner tonight."

His words hung in the air, and every Brennan present understood their meaning: the patriarch was finally ready to acknowledge Anastasia's place in the family.

Mrs. Brennan and Juliet Brennan were instantly overcome with joy and excitement, their faces beaming.

Anastasia, however, merely glanced at Harrison Lancaster before replying, "It's getting late, Grandfather. I'll come back another day."

No one had expected such a calm, and frankly, dismissive response. She had actually refused.

Even Harrison shot her a surprised look.

Their eyes met, and Anastasia offered him a small, reassuring smile, her decision firm. "Grandfather, Grandmother, I'll be heading back for today."

She looped her arm through Harrison's and bid the Brennans farewell. Then, under the lingering, regretful gazes of her grandmother and cousin, she left the Brennan estate.

Once they were in the car, Harrison asked, "Why didn't you want to stay?"

Anastasia shook her head. "It wasn't that I didn't want to stay. It was that *you* didn't want me to stay, Hubby."

Harrison paused, taken aback.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere back at the Brennan estate was anything but pleasant.

With Anastasia gone, the family's attention finally turned to Lauren. The pride and affection that had once filled their eyes were now replaced with cold indifference and scrutiny.

"Well done," Mr. Brennan said, his voice laced with ice. "All these years, and you managed to fool even me." He couldn't believe he had failed to see Lauren's true nature for so long.

The old woman shook her head, her tone dripping with disappointment. "I always thought you were a good child..."

Lauren's face went pale. She forced a strained smile, a rare flicker of panic in her eyes. "Grandfather, Grandmother..."

"Don't call me that!" the old woman snapped. "I only have one granddaughter, and that's Ana!" After everything Lauren had done to her Ana, how dare she still use that title?