Chapter 17

The next day, Anastasia had barely reached her desk when Jasper showed up, looking like he owned the place. She assumed he was finally ready to sign the buyout agreement. Instead, he had the audacity to make demands.

“You’re coming to the Met Gala with me tonight,” he announced without preamble.

“Excuse me?” Anastasia looked up from her laptop, eyebrows raised.

“Look, you’ve been my date to every major industry event for three years. Our clients know your face, they trust you. I’ve got several million-dollar deals hanging in the balance, and if I suddenly show up with someone new, it’s going to raise red flags.”

His tone was purely transactional—like she was a business asset he could still deploy.

“This is strictly professional. One last appearance to maintain client relationships, then we’re done.”

Anastasia considered telling him to go fuck himself, but decided one final evening wasn’t worth the fight.

“Fine. But this is it—last time.”

She immediately texted Cassian about the work obligation. When Cassian’s phone buzzed during his board meeting, he glanced at the message and felt his mouth curve into an involuntary smile. The Met Gala? The same event his assistant had mentioned this morning? He’d planned to skip it—being practically newlyweds and all. But if his wife was attending, maybe he should make an appearance.

“Phillips, clear my schedule. I’m going to the Met Gala tonight after all.”

Phillips Rogers stared at his boss like he’d grown a second head. Cassian Rhodes never changed his mind about social events. Ever. And he’d definitely never smiled while reading a text message before. Had the world tilted off its axis?

After work, Anastasia walked outside to find Jasper’s Mercedes waiting with the engine running. As she approached, the back door opened to reveal Valeria’s perfectly contoured face.

“Ana! Hope you don’t mind the company!” Valeria’s smile was pure sugar with a razor blade hidden inside. “Jasper thought it would be good for me to network with some industry people. You know, for my future career.”

Anastasia felt cold satisfaction wash over her. She’d predicted this pathetic power play.

“Mind? Why would I care? You’re not my problem anymore.” Her tone was conversational ice.

Valeria’s practiced sweetness cracked slightly. “Come on, Ana. We’re practically sisters now.”

“Sisters?” Anastasia’s laugh was sharp enough to cut glass. “Valeria, I disowned the Kingsley family years ago. Don’t project your daddy issues onto me.”

Valeria’s face went white, but before she could respond, Jasper leaned forward with obvious irritation.

“Get in the fucking car, Ana. We’re already late.”

His tone was dismissive—like she was an employee he was tired of managing.

Anastasia slid into the passenger seat without comment. Valeria immediately switched to wounded victim mode, giving Jasper tragic eyes.

“I brought Valeria for networking purposes,” Jasper explained with cold detachment. “She’s transitioning into a design role. Don’t make this about our personal shit.”

Anastasia’s eyes flashed with dark amusement. Design role? The same girl who’d literally stolen her work yesterday? But their delusions weren’t her circus anymore.

The car ride was suffocatingly tense. When they arrived at the Met’s red carpet entrance, their trio definitely caused a stir. Anastasia looked effortlessly elegant in a simple black Armani gown that highlighted her natural grace. Valeria wore a bubble-gum pink nightmare covered in enough crystals to blind aircraft, clearly trying way too hard. Jasper stood between them in his Tom Ford tuxedo, basking in the attention like the narcissist he was.

Whispers followed them into the museum.

“Is that Jasper Hale with two dates?” “I heard he dumped his fiancée for the blonde.” “This is messier than the Kardashians…”

Anastasia ignored the gossip and made a beeline for the champagne station. She scanned the glittering crowd, wondering if Cassian had actually decided to show up. Meanwhile, Jasper was working the room with Valeria surgically attached to his arm, introducing her to clients like she was his prize acquisition.

Tamia materialized beside Anastasia, having been dragged to the event by her company’s partners. ‘Ana, what fresh hell is this? Did Jasper completely lose his mind bringing his side piece to a public event?”

‘Not my circus, not my monkeys,” Anastasia replied with a shrug. “Just grateful I wasted only three years instead of ten.”

“Amen to that! Hey, word is Cassian Rhodes is here tonight. I’m dying to see if he’s actually as hot as the tabloids claim.”

Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat. He’d really come?

“Come on, let’s go network,” Tamia pulled her toward a group of tech executives. “Time to make new connections.”

What Anastasia had expected to be mind-numbing corporate theater was actually turning out enjoyable with Tamia’s running commentary. She’d just finished a promising conversation with some venture capital partners when a voice like poisoned honey stopped her cold.

“Ana! There you are, gorgeous!”

Valeria approached with predatory determination, her smile sharp enough to perform surgery.

“Shouldn’t you be playing arm candy somewhere? What do you want?” Anastasia’s tone could have frozen hellfire.

Valeria’s expression turned mockingly sympathetic. “Oh sweetie, don’t be bitter. Jasper really does still care about you, you know. He talks about you all the time. I think you two just had some silly miscommunication.”

The fake concern was Oscar-worthy.

Anastasia actually laughed. “Miscommunication? Is that what we’re calling it when you fuck someone’s boyfriend?”

Valeria’s mask slipped for just a moment, revealing pure malice underneath. “Ana, honey, you’re embarrassing yourself. Maybe it’s time to accept that some of us are just… better suited for certain men.”

‘You’re absolutely right,” Anastasia said with deadly calm. “Some women are perfectly suited to being mistresses. It’s like you found your calling.”

Valeria’s face contorted with rage before she forced her sweet smile back into place.

“You know what? You’re right, I should embrace my talents.” Without warning, she suddenly grabbed Anastasia’s arm and yanked them both toward the museum’s ornamental reflecting pool.

They hit the water with a tremendous splash that echoed through the marble halls.

Shit! Anastasia surfaced, freezing water soaking through her designer gown. This psychotic bitch had completely snapped!

The commotion immediately drew a crowd of curious onlookers. Anastasia pushed wet hair from her face, glaring at Valeria with murderous intent.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?!” Her voice carried across the water with ice-cold fury.

Tamia came running from across the gallery the moment she heard the splash. She should have known—wherever Valeria went, chaos followed. Jasper pushed through the gathering crowd and immediately pulled Valeria from the water, wrapping his tuxedo jacket around her like she was made of spun glass.

‘Jasper, please don’t be angry with Ana,” Valeria whispered through chattering teeth, playing the perfect victim. “I’m sure she didn’t mean to drag me in with her.”

Her performance was absolutely flawless—wounded, forgiving, completely innocent. Anastasia stared at them both in disbelief. This was exactly the kind of manipulative bullshit she was escaping.