Chapter 1320

Surprised, Maria could hardly react. She blinked. "Mrs. Russell? Which Mrs. Russell?"

"I'm not sure; I only know it's Mrs. Russell. She's a friend of Anastasia's, and she invited her to her house."

The housekeeper, knowing little, remained cautious.

"Russell..." Maria pondered, but Austin seemed to have an idea.

"Are you talking about Lily Christian?" he asked. "She'd be the only Russell in Kingsland who'd befriend someone like Anastasia Rollins." He mused, 'Mrs. Russell… I'll never forget that woman! It's a small world, isn't it?'

"Yes, I think that's the name," Maria confirmed. She hesitated to pry into Anastasia's personal affairs, but she recalled hearing that Lily's maiden name was Christian.

"Do you know her, Mr. Fike?" Maria asked, surprised by his immediate recognition.

Austin clenched his teeth, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I don't just know her!"

Maria was puzzled. Standing at the doorway with him, she wasn't sure whether to leave. Anastasia was out, so Maria was supposed to leave and reschedule. However, securing the miracle doctor's services had been difficult, and she worried about offending him.

"Mr. Fike," she said, "please wait a moment. I'll call my niece and ask her to hurry home, okay?"

"There's no need," he interrupted, raising a hand.

Maria looked confused.

"Since Ms. Rollins is already out, why don't we join her?" He smirked. "It's good for the patient to get some fresh air. Besides, waiting wastes time, and I hate wasting time."

"Oh..." Maria was relieved he was willing to see Anastasia, but the suggestion felt unusual. "But I don't know where Mrs. Russell lives."

"I do," Austin stated confidently. His prior work at the lab included access to her details; her address wasn't classified.

Maria was surprised.

Austin drove them to a residential area of luxury villas. He snorted. 'That bitch has grown arrogant thanks to her wealthy husband. I bet she leveraged his reputation to befriend Dominic.' Maria remained silent during the drive. She sensed Austin's strange behavior since mentioning Mrs. Russell. 'He knows where she lives and wants to see Tasia.'

Despite her reservations, she avoided saying anything that might offend Austin. He was a miracle doctor, and it had taken two days to secure his services.

Meanwhile, Anastasia was enjoying a delightful lunch at Lily's house—her first enjoyable meal in a long time. It was a small but carefully chosen meal: a small portion of five-grain rice, chicken breast with button mushrooms, boiled asparagus, and a soft-boiled egg.

With Lily's company and conversation, it took her over half an hour to finish. If she hadn't been mindful, she would have devoured it in five minutes.