Chapter 1618

Anastasia was confused. She had no idea why her father had changed so drastically, but she suspected Rhea was involved. Having nowhere else to turn, she called Lily.

Lily, preoccupied with Alexander, initially dismissed Anastasia's call. Hearing from Anastasia again, however, she sensed something was amiss. "Where are you? What's your exact location?" she asked.

"..."

Anastasia looked around. "I'm in front of a boba tea shop on Maplewood Street. Lily, I don't know where to go. If I go home, my father will surely have me locked up…"

Lily responded quietly, "Stay where you are. I'll send someone to get you. Don't be afraid. I'll settle you down first, and we'll talk then, okay?"

"Okay!" Anastasia replied obediently. "Thank you—"

Before she could finish, Lily hung up. She didn't need Anastasia's thanks, and it was dangerous for a young woman to be out alone at night. Though unable to leave herself, Lily couldn't abandon Anastasia.

She contacted her men, instructing them to send a car for Anastasia and take her to a safe apartment. "Cameron can easily find her if I send her to a hotel, and my house isn't suitable either," she mused.

After making the arrangements, exhaustion overwhelmed her. She rubbed her temples, feeling groggy, and fell asleep.

She dreamt she had left the center and witnessed Cameron attempting to take Anastasia upon her return home. Cameron's face was blurry yet menacing. Alexander reappeared as she confronted Cameron, seemingly recovered, but a sharp pain stabbed her stomach as she prepared to approach him. Amidst the ensuing chaos, she somehow gave birth in a hospital, but her newborn child was monstrous.

Horrified, Lily dared not hold the baby. Then, everyone around her—the doctor, nurses, Tasia, Cameron, and Alexander—transformed into grotesque beasts. As she desperately tried to scream and flee, someone lunged, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her away.

Gasping for breath, she stopped, realizing her captor was Olivia. Just as Lily began to thank her, Olivia’s cold gaze pierced her. "Who do you choose, Alex or me? Can't you see he's a monster? He caused Edward's death! Why can't you believe me? Why?!"

"No, that's not what happened, Olivia…" Lily cried, desperate to explain. "No!"

The desperate denial ripped her from her nightmare. She sat bolt upright, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily until her racing heart slowed. Looking around, she realized it had all been a dream and slowly calmed down.