Chapter 170

• Karla paced her opulent bedroom like a caged lioness, the morning sun filtering through silk drapes doing nothing to soften the fury etched on her face. Her manicured nails dug into her palms as she muttered curses under her breath, the breakfast table confrontation replaying in her mind—Howard's defiance and that surgeon's smug presence. The door creaked open unannounced, and Anastasia slipped in, her green eyes sharp as daggers, blonde hair pulled into a sleek ponytail for the "casual" family day.
• Seeing her daughter, Karla stormed toward her, heels sinking into the plush Persian rug. "Can you believe it, Anna? That witch Charlotte—she's snatched our Howard in the end! Now he only listens to her. Only we know how dangerous she is for this family. She's a true witch!"
• Anastasia's lips curled into a predatory smirk, closing the distance to feed the fire. She placed sympathetic hands on Karla's shoulders, her voice a silky whisper laced with venom. "I know, Mom. That woman... she stole our dear Howard. The man who used to worship you, and now? He blames you for everything over her lies."