*Rosewood Manor? To see Anastasia?*

A fire of pure hatred ignited in Lauren's chest. Watching as everything she considered hers was snatched away by Anastasia, one piece at a time, she felt an overwhelming urge to lash out.

Winni went back inside, and just as Benson was about to get into the car, Lauren bit her lip and rushed forward, grabbing the door. "Cousin, about what happened five years ago... there's something I need to tell you."

"What's left to say?" Benson sat in the back seat, his handsome face a cold, unforgiving mask. "Anastasia saved me, not you. You lied to me. That's a fact. Is there anything else to discuss?"

"I really did send you medicine back then, so I just assumed it was me who saved you," Lauren pleaded, her eyes fixed on him. "Cousin, I didn't mean to lie. I didn't even know Anastasia was involved at first. When I found out later, I was afraid... afraid that if you knew she was the one who saved you, you would value her more than me."

"She's my aunt's biological daughter, but I'm just adopted. There will always be a barrier between me and the family, a lack of blood ties... You say you see me as a sister, but are you truly impartial between her and me?"

"You've been good to me, yes, but only in the way a brother fulfills his duty, providing for me financially. But have you ever truly given me your affection?"

"But Anastasia! A single look from her, a single word, and she can command your emotions. You get angry because of her, you feel joy because of her, but you've never been like that with me!"

"When we stand together, your attention is always on her!"

"How could I possibly tell you the truth under those circumstances? If you knew she was the one who saved you, would there be any room left for me in your heart at all?"

Lauren had started out trying to exonerate herself, but as she spoke, her voice became laced with genuine resentment and bitterness. Thinking back, had she ever really stood a chance against Anastasia in Benson's heart? The moment her lie was exposed, he refused to even look at her. Yet Anastasia had disappointed him countless times-he'd even sworn to disown her as a cousin-but he had still secretly kept her photo as his

phone's wallpaper.

to FindNovel.net

And what about when he first returned? Why was he never home, always in a foul mood? She hadn't understood it then, but now it was painfully clear. It was all

because of Anastasia.

Juliet was furious listening to

Lauren's tirade. Who did Lauren think she was, daring to compare herself to Anastasia? Fearing her

brother might actually

iht actually be swayed,

she was about to speak, buto Benson's voice cut through the air.

"And?"

Juliet stopped, and Lauren froze. Both of them stared at Benson, whose handsome face was completely devoid of emotion. He looked at Lauren with a calm, chilling detachment.

"You and she were never the same. You were never meant to be compared. Why should I be expected to care about you the way I care about her?"

His cold, brutal words left Lauren stunned and humiliated. She stared at him in disbelief. "Cousin "

Benson couldn't be bothered to look at her any longer. He pulled the door shut and commanded the driver, "Go."

Juliet let out a breath of relief, a smile returning to her face. She looked at Benson cautiously. "Brother, you're not mad at Anastasia anymore, are you?"

Benson didn't answer.

Juliet's shoulders slumped. "You're still mad, aren't you? But she saved you! Can't you let the past go? I'm sure what happened with Mom was just a misunderstanding. I refuse to believe Anastasia would eve intentionally harm her..."