Susan remained in a daze.

All those years, all the grievances she'd endured—what for? Wasn't it all for status, position, and money?

But now, Ryan had severed ties with the Lancaster family and was left with nothing. What had all her scheming over the years been for?!

The three of them were devastated, as if mourning a death. Only Carter, sitting by the window, had glanced their way at the beginning. Afterward, his expression remained placid. He rested his chin on his hand, his face almost translucent in the sunlight, his eyes gazing outside, lost in thought.

The Lancaster Estate.

Anastasia, on the other hand, was in high spirits. She asked a maid for a small dessert while making a call to have Susan's family watched.

Harrison was right beside her as she made the call.

When she hung up, he pulled her into his arms. "Why are you having them watched?"

Anastasia swung her legs gently in the air, happily digging into her small cake with a spoon. "Because I want to see how long her 'love' will last without money and power."

"That Mrs. Young claimed everyone misunderstood and looked down on her, right? Well, now's her chance to prove herself. We'll just have to wait and see if we were all mistaken!"

Harrison smiled indulgently and reached out to wipe a dab of cream from the corner of her mouth.

It was worth noting that after Ryan, Simon also moved out of the Lancaster estate. Unlike his previous defiant refusal to leave, he now seemed desperate to get away. Victor was furious about this, convinced Harrison had threatened his son. He loudly questioned him in front of the whole family, demanding to know why Simon, his own flesh and blood whom he'd personally brought home, couldn't live in the estate. Harrison hadn't even spoken, merely lifting his gaze coolly, when Simon shot to his feet and declared emphatically—

"Dad, I know you care about me, but I'm just an illegitimate son. How could I possibly live in the estate?!"

"And you always said illegitimate children have inheritance rights, so my share couldn't be taken away. But I've thought about it, and it's not right! Even if the law says so, it's just improper!"

"Being able to live better than others on the allowance you give me is already a great kindness from the Lancaster family. How could I shamelessly continue to fight for the inheritance?!"

Everyone was stunned!

Staring at Simon's earnest and indignant face, Anastasia was dumbfounded.

It had only been two days. What on earth had happened to Simon to make his thinking so... so normal?

Victor's eyes widened, clearly not expecting to be betrayed by his own dear son. He fumed, "What are you talking about? Do you have any idea how much trouble I went through to bring you here?! You'd better think this through-"

"Dad, I have thought it through! I'm moving out!" Simon said excitedly.

No one, except the resentful Victor, was going to stop an illegitimate son from leaving.

And so, Simon left as if fleeing for his life.

The moment he left the Lancaster estate, he glanced back, a look of post-disaster

relief on his face, as if he'd just cheated death.

He'd been delusional before, actually thinking he could compete with

Harrison But after seeing what

happened to Lennon, it was like a sharp blow to the head that Snapped

him back to reality.

If Lennon hadn't been lucky, he'd be dead by now.

Where did he get the audacity to think he could outmaneuver that ruthless man?!

Anastasia leaned over the third-floor leaned

terrace railing, watching Simon drag his suitcase and run so fast he even tripped along the way Buzzled, she turned and asked, "Hubby, did you do something? Why is he soo terrified?"

Harrison said calmly, "Maybe he's just timid."

He changed the subject. "I'm heading out for a bit. Want to come with me, Ana?"

"Where are you going?"

"A dinner meeting."

Anastasia shook her head. "Then I'll pass."

She hugged him. "Come back early!"