Chapter 5 Another Rejection

Recalling the disappointment in her father's eyes when he had misread her situation, Anastasia felt a pang within her. He hadn't even bothered to ask about her experience and had simply believed Erica's recollections and cruelly banished her. She had hated him before, but he was the only surviving family she had after her mother's death. With their paternal bond, how could she hold on to past grudges? Now that she was back, she knew she had to go see him. After much consideration, Anastasia picked up her phone and called her father. "Hello! Who is this?" a familiar voice answered. Her nose tingled. "Dad, it's me, Anastasia." "Anastasia? Where have you been all this time? I haven't been able to find you," Francis Tillman sounded taken aback. Her tears welled up, "Dad, I'm sorry. I've been overseas all this time, but now I'm working back here." "Good. It's nice to know you're back. When are you returning?" "I— I'll be there in a couple of days." "As long as you're healthy and safe. I'm sorry for kicking you out." "Let's not dwell on the past," Anastasia assured him, not wanting to linger on old wounds. "Alright, come home soon," he sighed. She hung up, inhaling deeply. She was still hesitant about going back, but her father was okay, which was all that mattered. Just then, Larry knocked and came in with a box. "Anastasia, here's something for you." Anastasia looked taken aback by the box he had deposited on the table. "What's this?" "Take a guess." She glanced at the words on the box—Cloud Residence No. 1, presumably the name of some sort of property. "Just tell me!" She chuckled, not in the mood for guessing games. "Cloud Residence No. 1 is a lavish villa worth 15 million with 370 square meters of space, regal interior decoration, and the best property management, ready to move in. It's for you," he explained, opening the box to reveal keys and an account number. Anastasia frowned. "For me?" "Anastasia, it's a special arrangement by Mr. Presgrave. It's an upgrade of your apartment to this, and there's more." Larry showed her a car key with a Porsche logo. "He has also picked out a car for you. Are you impressed?" He looked as enthused as an experienced salesman showing off his best wares. "Keep it. I don't want it," Anastasia refused coldly. She didn't want any favors from the Presgrave Family. After her mother's death, she'd had a rough childhood as she had lost her closest family member despite the honor her mother got. Larry was speechless when she refused the generous offer. "Anastasia, you can't be serious! Do you know how hard it is to get this property? And the car, not everyone can afford it. It's a special privilege for you!" The thirty-five-year-old Larry was still single and found it hard not to be attracted to a beautiful woman like Anastasia, but Elliot had already gotten ahead of him. "Tell him I don't need special treatment. Take it back," Anastasia insisted, pushing the box towards him. "Don't do this. I can't go back without anything to show my effort. Please take it!" After years in the industry, Larry had a good read on people and knew Elliot was interested in Anastasia. She stood firm. "Please take it back. I really don't need it, thanks." Larry reluctantly accepted the keys at the solemn look on her face. Elliot had scheduled a meeting at his office in Bourgeois instead of returning to Dominion Corporation. "Mr. Presgrave, she has refused to take it no matter how I tried," reported Larry helplessly. "Hmm." Elliot's gaze was unreadable, as he had already expected this. He had hoped to compensate her with material things which would free him from needing to marry her. It looked as if he had to come up with something else. A black Bentley pulled into the driveway of Tillman Residence as Francis came home after work. He found his wife watching TV on the couch and exclaimed, "Naomi, guess who called today?" "Who?" Naomi asked, curious. "Anastasia. She's been abroad all this time, which explains why I couldn't get ahold of her," he shared happily. He failed to notice the resentment in her eyes as her expression changed. She retorted, "Why are you still thinking about her? You stopped her from studying overseas, so she went to work in clubs to earn money and shame you. Have you forgotten? Do not let her back in." "Naomi, I don't think she is that type of person anymore. A misunderstanding must have happened. It's been so long; just let that go!" "A misunderstanding? Erica caught her at those places at night with undeniable proof," Naomi raged, never thinking that Anastasia would even return. Is she back to claim the family wealth due to the successful family business? Hmph! That belongs to my daughter; Anastasia will never get any of it! Seeing her displeasure, he fell silent and went up the stairs tiredly as she promptly called Erica. "Hello, Mom." "Erica, guess who's returned?" "Who?" asked Erica casually as she shopped for purses at the shopping mall. "That Anastasia called your father today. She's back." "What? How dare she?" Erica paused, surprised, which attracted the attention of passers-by. "She's probably after our family fortune and wants her share, but she can forget about it while I'm still around." Naomi sneered condescendingly. "I got rid of her once. I can do it again," Erica assured.