Chapter 1372

Anastasia returned home joyfully, only to find Maria there again. Impatience flared as she saw the "miracle doctor" and her aunt waiting. "Didn't I tell her I don't want to see him? Why can't she leave me alone? If she continues like this, I won't want her to enter the house again!" Despite her annoyance, Anastasia greeted her aunt: "Hi, Aunt Maria."

"Tasia, you're finally home. You come home so late every day, and yet Father never worries. What's he thinking?" Maria, aware of their strained relationship, voiced her concerns before stating her purpose.

"I'm a grown woman, and I wasn't going to any shady places, so why worry? You seem quite free to come here so often," Anastasia retorted, lifting her eyelids as she glanced at Austin, who remained quietly on the sidelines. "Besides, you're always accompanied by a man of dubious background. Aren't you afraid Uncle would get jealous?" she added, half-jokingly.

Maria, taken aback, waved dismissively. "What are you saying? This is Mr. Fike, the miracle doctor, and you've met him! Besides, your uncle knows I arranged for him to treat you. You enjoy teasing me, huh?" She took a step back, seizing the opportunity to add, "Mr. Fike is incredibly busy, yet he kindly came here with me to examine you. So, please be nice and let him take a look. You'll feel better, and Father will be happier too, don't you agree?" She glanced at Austin, worried Anastasia's attitude would offend him.

Maria had expected Austin to be upset, making another visit difficult. Instead, he'd sought her out, asking if she was free to visit the Rollins' together. The doctor's offer had been a dream come true for Maria. She'd immediately driven him to the Rollins' house.

After learning Anastasia had again visited Lily's, Maria, fearing her niece would deliberately return late, hadn't dared to call her, instead waiting at home and instructing the housekeeper to remain silent. Initially, she worried Austin would grow impatient, but he was unusually patient, sitting and sipping tea while using his phone without showing any restlessness. Maria sighed in relief, yet felt puzzled. 'What's the deal with him?'

Noticing Anastasia's lack of response, Maria approached and reached for her arm. "Tasia..."

To her surprise, Anastasia dodged her touch, impatiently declaring, "I don't want to see him! I'm not sick."

"Tasia!" Maria said seriously, her tone grave. "It's not good to avoid doctors! You're no longer a child, and your father has worried about you for years. Do you bear to see him continually worry? Even for your health's sake, you shouldn't be so stubborn! Be a good girl. Mr. Fike is very experienced. Let him check your pulse."

"Aunt Maria, I'm fat, not sick, and I don't need a miracle doctor. I appreciate your help, but no thanks. As for him..." Anastasia turned to Austin, studying him. "I didn't hire you. I don't care what kind of miracle doctor you are, and I hope you understand that you shouldn't come here uninvited."

"Tasia!" Maria was appalled, finding her niece's words far too harsh. Anastasia hadn't just dismissed him; she'd shown him disrespect. In the past, Austin would have left in a rage, unwilling to be humiliated by a young girl who looked down on him, even accusing him of being a fraud. Yet, driven by his competition with Lily, he endured the humiliation.

He chuckled coldly. "Lily told you you're just fat, not sick, didn't she, Ms. Rollins?"