Chapter 9 You Are Free
Chapter 9 You Are Free
Chapter 9 You Are Free
Anastasia felt a mix of emotions inside her.
She realized Christian could also feel anxious.
However, his anxiety was solely due to Beatrice's child.
Christian's expression became even gloomier, as if overshadowed by a layer of haze.
They arrived at the Courthouse, and luckily, there was no queue.
A few people followed them inside.
Without hesitation, Anastasia signed the document. She watched Christian hesitatingly holding the pen,
contemplating his decision.
Suddenly, two men approached from behind.
Anastasia watched as one man firmly held Christian's shoulder, rendering him unable to move, while
another person grasped his hand and forced the pen to sign on the document.
The forceful pen strokes nearly tore through the paper.
Christian violently resisted, throwing the pen aside. His forehead veins pulsed like a raging beast, teeth
clenched in anger, and he gritted out.
"Anastasia... How dare you..."
Anastasia remained composed, handing the signed papers to the staff with a gentle smile. "That's
enough."
The staff observed the situation and remained silent, swiftly finalizing the divorce papers and handing
them over.
Anastasia took it, thanked them, and stood up to face Christian.
Her eyes glinted with ice.
Her lips curved in a mocking arc, her voice cold and indifferent.
"You are free now, Mr. Patterson."
She tossed one of the divorce certificates right in his face and turned to leave.
Christian stood there stunned, then quickly strode forward to catch up with Anastasia.
With a deep and heavy voice, he asked, "Where's Charlie?"
Anastasia smiled faintly, her face filled with an indifferent nonchalance.
"Your son is not my concern. If he pretends to be lost, go find the police."
Christian's expression turned cold.
His phone rang, and it was Beatrice.
"Christian, we found Charlie. The nanny took him out for a while, and they just returned."
Christian's brow furrowed, and his gaze intensified.
How could this be just a coincidence?
Anastasia couldn't have had access to his arranged nanny, so she must have been lying just now.
But why would Beatrice contact Anastasia?
There was no time to think further.
Christian watched Anastasia enter the car with those unfamiliar men and leave, disappearing from
sight.
Christian's chest felt like it had a sudden void, a complex mix of emotions that made him feel restless
and suffocated. It seemed like an unfamiliar emotion was trying to break free from his heart.
Anastasia got in the car and read the messages she sent to Beatrice on her phone. A smirk appeared
on her face.
[He is with me. I want to see how anxious he'll get if your son pretends to be lost.]
Beatrice's reply had given her the perfect answer and helped her out.
But things wouldn't end there.
Back home, Anastasia's mood improved.
She listened to the sounds in the house and rushed in to see what happened.
It appeared Amanda had returned. She was instructing the servants on what dishes to prepare.
Anastasia ran over and playfully hugged her from behind.
"Mom, the most beautiful mom in the world. I missed you!"
Amanda was in her forties and was well-preserved. She was popular in the entertainment industry and
looked more like Anastasia's sister.
Amanda wore a stern expression, ready to teach Anastasia some lesson, but as soon as she saw
Anastasia acting like a baby, her heart immediately softened.
"You never act your age. Don't you know how to wash your hand after returning home? Be careful not
to stain my clothes."
Amanda teased with a feigned annoyance, but her face was full of joy and affection.
Anastasia continued to cling to her, whining and clinging like a little kangaroo.
Behind her, Derek teasingly chuckled, "Mom, I think she's doing it on purpose. You better teach her a
lesson!"
Anastasia turned around and saw Derek standing there, his aura calm and composed, with a smile
playing on his lips as he raised an eyebrow.
Finally letting go of Amanda, Anastasia rushed over to hug Derek.
"Derek, why were you away on business for so long?"
Derek was helpless as she held his neck and shook him around. There was simply no way to deal with
her.
He had been abroad for three years, and Anastasia was still the same.
"The matters abroad were complicated and delayed me for a few days. I brought you a gift!"
As Anastasia's only brother, Derek had always spoiled her.
Even though she was away for three years, he still put the gift in her room as usual.
Anastasia watched him take out two identical bags of different colors and handed them to her.
"One for each of us!"
These were limited-edition custom-made bags worth million dollars. Derek had ordered two pieces.
One for Amanda and another for Anastasia.
Amanda received it with a smile.
"I have so many of these bags. This can be used for grocery shopping. Thank you, son!"
Anastasia and Derek were speechless when they heard their mother's reply.
Before dinner, Anastasia took out the divorce papers she had just received.
Though Amanda didn't say much, her expression visibly brightened upon seeing them.
"It's never too late to come back. We will always give you the best."
Baxter nodded in agreement. "Vacate the position of chief executive officer and go to the company
tomorrow."
Anastasia hesitated for a moment, knowing she couldn't escape.
She sighed, "Don't make me the chief executive officer right away. Let me start with a small company
first. Otherwise, I won't be able to dodge all the attacks and criticisms."
Amanda agreed with Anastasia. Amanda looked at Baxter and suggested, "Then go to my company,
Starlight Entertainment. We need an assistant."
Baxter and Derek had no objections.
Recently, the Patterson Group has suffered significant losses, and every move they make is under
scrutiny. They were navigating through turbulent times.
One day, Anastasia received a call from Grace.
It was the first time Grace had called Anastasia since she had declined the Patterson family's calls.
In the beginning, when Anastasia had nothing and married Christian, she faced scorn from everyone.
However, Grace was the one who had always been kind to her.
After considering it for a moment, Anastasia decided to answer the call.
"Anna, come over for dinner. It's grandmother's birthday, and it won't do without you."
Anastasia hesitated. "Grandma, I..."
But before she could break the news of her divorce with Christian, Grace angrily added, "Christian is
busy and can't make it. If you don't come, I'll be upset."
Anastasia pondered for a while, but in the end, she agreed.
Christian not being there was better. She could take the opportunity to say goodbye to Grace in person.
She picked an emerald pendant from the safe deposit box as a gift for Grace.
It was an antique bought by Baxter for a seven-figure dollars sum from an auction, and it was in
excellent condition. Baxter had casually given it to Anastasia to toy with.
Anastasia was sure Grace would like it.
Then she went to her walk-in closet to change her clothes. Amanda enjoyed sending clothes from
various top brands to Anastasia's closet regularly.
They were all high-end custom-made outfits.
Since she had left the Patterson family, she no longer needed to worry about dressing according to
their style or appearing presentable. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
She picked a white form-fitting long dress and carried the bag Derek had given her.
Numerous cars are parked in the garage. Among them were over a dozen vehicles registered under
Anastasia's name.
She opted for a relatively low-profile Maserati to drive out.
The Patterson Manor was an opulent and grand garden-style classical architecture which occupied
nearly two thousand square meters of prime land in an advantageous location.
Anastasia had often visited the manor before. It was either to accompany Grace for conversations or to
spend time with Lamia, playing cards and drinking tea. These visits were usually followed by some
gentle urge about starting a family soon.
The unfamiliar car caught the attention of the gatekeeper, who quickly allowed her entry upon
recognizing her.
Anastasia parked the car. Before stepping into the house, she heard the lively sounds of laughter and
merriment echoing from within, more boisterous than usual.
As she entered, the cheerful atmosphere instantly fell silent.
Anastasia's naturally fair complexion, delicate skin, and radiant, sparkling eyes gave her an
indescribable aura of cold elegance.
With the recent gossip surrounding the Patterson family, she became the center of everyone's
attention.
Anastasia's gaze swept across the room, and she noticed Lamia holding a child in her arms.
Her expression changed ever so slightly.
That was Beatrice's child.