After giving her warning, Anastasia let the matter drop for now.
Treating Marcus’s leg wasn’t something that could be rushed. If Marcus didn’t test her claims for himself, how could he possibly take her word for it?
But she’d made herself perfectly clear. Marcus wasn’t stupid—surely he wouldn’t dismiss every word she’d said.
For now, all she had to do was wait.
With a spring in her step, she dashed downstairs. On the couch, Harrison glanced up, his eyes dark and fathomless. “Did you put it away?”
“All done!” She beamed and hurried over to him.
At dinner, Marcus finally came down.
He seemed distracted, his usual easy smile noticeably absent.
During the meal, Marcus cast a few furtive glances at Anastasia.
She’d pulled her chair close to Harrison’s—so close their shoulders nearly touched. She leaned in, coaxing him with a playful pout, “Can you pass me some of that, please?” Her voice was soft, almost pleading.
What stunned Marcus most was Harrison’s reaction. The man was notorious for being aloof and indifferent, yet he didn’t so much as sigh in annoyance. Instead, he obligingly served her, and from the looks of it, this was hardly the first time.
Marcus was so shocked he nearly dropped his fork.
“Eat your food. What are you staring at?” Harrison’s tone was mild as he glanced up.
Anastasia followed his gaze, offering Marcus a lazy, teasing smile. “Marcus, are you having trouble adjusting to the food here? You don’t seem to have much of an appetite tonight.”
The warmth in her voice, the way she called him “Marcus”—it was exactly how an older relative might fuss over a younger family member. Both men fell silent and stared at her in disbelief.
He’d worn that sachet for quite a while now. Plenty of doctors—real experts—had examined him, and none had noticed anything amiss.
The Jackson family only hired top specialists. How could they all miss something that a nineteen-year-old girl, with no reputation and no known medical background, suddenly spotted?
Anastasia’s lips curled into a sly smile. She tilted her head, her clear eyes sparkling. “You’re free not to believe me. But as for the consequences… well, I can’t promise you’ll like them.”
With that, she turned and headed back to her room.
Marcus stared at the closed door and shook his head.
He had to admit, she’d called a few things right. But he’d just phoned a doctor in Riverton, and according to them, his current symptoms were perfectly normal.
Most likely, she’d overheard a few things from Harrison and decided to bluff. God only knew what she hoped to gain.
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