Chapter 226: Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Anastasia parked her butt in the lounge area of Neon Dreams, waiting for Herman. She whipped out her phone and started googling recent news on Rainbow Haven, hoping to dig up any dirt on her daughter.

Just then, two gals sashayed in through the entrance, chatting and giggling. One of them, a curly-haired babe, spotted Anastasia in the lounge and froze like a deer in headlights.

“What’s up? Hurry up, if the man’s kept waiting, he’ll blow a gasket,” the other woman chirped.

“I think I recognize that gal over there, but I’m not sure,” the curly-haired woman said, squinting at Anastasia. “Hold your horses, I’ll go check her out.”

As she approached Anastasia, she gave her a once-over and asked tentatively, “Are you…Anastasia?”

Anastasia looked up at the woman, a puzzled look on her face. “Do I know you?” She didn’t have a clue who this woman was.

Hearing Anastasia’s response, the woman let out a chuckle and took a seat. “I’m Melinda, don’t you remember? It’s been five years since we last saw each other. You’re still as young and pretty as ever, not a day older. But me, I’ve aged a lot, so you probably can’t recognize

me.”

“Melinda?” Anastasia couldn’t recall when she’d made a friend named Melinda.

She took a closer look at Melinda, who appeared to be in her late twenties. Despite the chilly weather, she was wearing a sexy, skin-tight dress and reeked of strong perfume. Her makeup was heavy, making her look like a hooker from Neon Dreams.

“I’m Melinda, seriously, you don’t remember? Five years ago, right here in Neon Dreams, you helped me out of a bind. Mr. Winchester was forcing me to drink. You saved me from a spiked drink. I’ve never forgotten your kindness.”

If it weren’t for Anastasia’s help that day, Melinda probably wouldn’t have remembered her. Mr. Winchester was known to be a lecherous and perverted man. Melinda had been abused by him and almost lost her life. She was terrified of him. She thought she was trapped, but then Anastasia stepped in and got her out of the hot water.

“I’ve been here before?” Anastasia couldn’t remember a thing.

Seeing Anastasia’s confusion, Melinda asked, “Anastasia, you really don’t remember?”

Anastasia shook her head and said half-jokingly, “I had a head injury a few years ago, so there are some things I can’t remember. But when I walked in here, the entrance did look vaguely familiar.”

“No wonder. After you were taken away by him, I looked for you all night, but then you were gone. I thought something bad had happened to you. I’ve been feeling guilty all these years. Now that I see you’re ok, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”

Anastasia’s heart pounded. She drank a spiked drink and was taken away’ by that man. That was five years ago…

Her blood ran cold as the pieces fell into place. Could it be that the child was hers and Mr. Winchester’s?

Anastasia pressed Melinda, “What happened after he took me away that night?”

Melinda hesitated before saying, “I really don’t know. You were drunk at the time, I’m afraid… I’m afraid… Anastasia, really, I’m so grateful to you. If it weren’t for your help, I probably wouldn’t be here right now.”

Hearing this, Anastasia felt like her heart was encased in ice. “Melinda, what’s his name, where does he live?”

“I don’t know either. Mr. Winchester went bankrupt the year after that incident and disappeared. We’re just small fries. How would we know about such things?”

Just then, Melinda’s friend called out, “Melinda, hurry up, your client’s getting impatient.”

“I’m coming,” Melinda responded, then turned to Anastasia and said, “Anastasia, let’s exchange contact info. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime, I really owe you one.”

Anastasia was still lost in thought about this Mr. Winchester, her face a blank mask. They added each other’s contacts, and then Melinda left with her friend.

Anastasia sat on the couch, a frown creasing her forehead as she rubbed her face. Suddenly, a deep voice sounded from above her. “Excuse me, miss. Can I sit here?”