The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

It was one of those painfully awkward moments.

Salma had been knocking and ringing the doorbell with no response, and since she had a key card, she just let herself in. She had been worried that if she walked away, Tavon might suffer under Ashley's wrath. She wanted Anastasia to pick him up early, but instead, she

walked in on her daughter with her son-in-law...

She hoped she hadn't scared the poor guy witless. If he was too traumatized to perform, her daughter would be the one to suffer.

Inside the room, Anastasia and Herman exchanged glances. "Come on, get down," she urged.

The moment was so cringeworthy, it could fill an entire apartment.

Herman slid off Anastasia and coughed into his fist. "Uh..."

Suddenly, Anastasia clutched her stomach. "I think I'm having a really bad period."

The moment she moved, it was as if a dam had burst.

Rushing to the restroom, Anastasia left Herman to deal with the situation. Just then, Dailey arrived, ringing the doorbell.

Herman opened the door. "Did you find the guy?"

"No luck," Dailey replied. "The bastard injured his arm, I checked the local hospitals, no sign of him seeking treatment. Guy was wearing a mask the whole time, couldn't get a good look. But he had skills."

"You're telling me he got away after tangling with you?" Herman frowned. "Is he one of the big players in the game?"

"Seems like it. I've got some feelers out on the street," Dailey said. "Boss, this sudden attack is odd. We can be sure it's the same person who's been opposing you from the shadows."

"Maybe it's not personal," Herman mused. "Now that they've shown their hand, they'll likely strike again."

"I was thinking the same," Dailey agreed. "Boss, we've made quite a few enemies over the years who did we really piss off?"

"If it was someone major, we'd know," Herman pondered. "Whoever it is, they're playing from a high position. We would remember a feud."

Herman contemplated, then said, "There's a type of person, you know, who will oppose you even without a grudge. Maybe I'm just too darn good, and it's breeding jealousy."

Dailey looked at him, trying to hold back a laugh. "Sure, boss, you're hilarious."

"You don't think it's possible?" Herman challenged.

"Oh, it's possible. You're making a lot of sense, boss," Dailey played along. "I'll do another round at the clinics and pharmacies. I can't believe that guy wouldn't need medicine. He can't just let a wound like that bleed out." "Go on, then," Herman dismissed him.

After Dailey left, Anastasia emerged from the restroom, unaware of the details of their conversation, only knowing that Dailey had been there.

"I thought I heard Dailey earlier. Where is he?"

"Out on business."

"Oh, then I'll go check on my mom and see what she wanted."

Anastasia found Salma next door, who was worried about Tavon. Anastasia reassured her that even if Ashley was mad, she'd just take it out on Tavon and nothing serious would happen. They just had to wait until tomorrow; Sandy would surely bring him over. With Anastasia's assurance, Salma felt relieved.

As dusk fell, Herman took Anastasia and Salma out to dinner. Anastasia asked Herman to video call Flynn; she wanted to see Pattie.

Flynn had taken Pattie to his own place instead of bringing her back to the Salstrom Manor, fearing Feiman's reaction. Unable to cook, Flynn had ordered a spread of takeout and was dining with Pattie.

Seeing Pattie was doing fine, Anastasia stopped worrying.

After dinner, they didn't linger and returned to the hotel. With the fatigue of her menstrual cycle weighing on her legs, Anastasia just wanted to lie down and not move.

Not long after getting back, Mr. Rowland came to see Anastasia. She went down to the hotel lobby to meet him.

Mr. Rowland was there to deliver a draft of the stock transfer document and a custody agreement stating that Tavon would be under Anastasia's care, and neither Sandy nor Sean could contest it. She needed to be prepared for tomorrow.

After a brief review, Anastasia said, "Thanks for your hard work, Mr. Rowland."

"It's my duty, Ms. Jewell. I'll return tomorrow."

"Alright."

She rose to see him out.

After Mr. Rowland left, Anastasia was about to head back to her room when she spotted the man from the elevator earlier.

He was wearing a mask, walking unsteadily as if he might collapse at any moment.