The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Dailey was outside, keeping a watchful eye, while Gianna, after watching some TV, drew the curtains, cutting off Dailey's view into the house. With the curtains closed, Gianna headed down to the basement.

Dailey, having waited outside for quite some time without any activity, figured she wasn't home and quickly called Herman.

Herman was already on his way. As Gianna returned to Cynthia's neighborhood, Herman's car appeared, pulling up right in front of hers. He was quick, no doubt about it.

Gianna had been expecting Anastasia, so seeing Herman step out of the car caught her off guard.

She stayed in her car, too embarrassed to face Herman. Her current state made her feel too insecure to even look him in the eye.

"Ms. Yang, can we find a place to chat?" Herman asked, standing beside her car, his face giving nothing away.

Gianna had a pretty good idea why Herman wanted to see her, though she knew she shouldn't meet him, especially not now. But it was Herman, and she couldn't bring herself to say no.

With a nod, they ended up at a nearby coffee shop about fifteen minutes later.

Since her accident, Gianna had avoided crowded places and always wore a veil, too self-conscious to show the scars on her face and neck.

The coffee shop was bustling, and even though no one was staring, Gianna felt painfully self-conscious, as if everyone was whispering about her.

She kept the veil on, not touching the coffee in front of her.

Herman broke the silence first, "Ms. Yang, do you know why I'm here?"

Gianna feigned ignorance, "I have no clue. Your visit is quite the surprise."

"If someone veers off the path and doesn't turn back, no one can help them," Herman hinted. "You reap what you sow."

Under her veil, Gianna's mouth curled into a wry smile. "You and Anastasia really are a match, even your tone is the same. I ran into Anastasia recently, and she implied I got what I deserved. But tell me, Mr. Salstrom, is loving someone a crime? Did I cause Anastasia's miscarriage? What does your grandmother have to do with me? I wasn't obligated to take Anastasia to the hospital."

Herman's eyes turned icy, "Gianna, your actions amounted to attempted murder."

"So, Mr. Salstrom, you're here to settle the score?" Gianna scoffed. "Herman, if I hadn't met you, none of this would have happened. You're the one to blame. You have no right to accuse me. If you really think I'm guilty, then send me to prison." Gianna laughed, a hint of madness in her voice. "Herman, you were the one who started this."

Her mere change of lanes wasn't enough to prove she delayed on purpose; it was all conjecture, not solid evidence.

Gianna knew that even if Anastasia and Herman wanted to take legal action, it wouldn't be easy.

Clasping her hands tightly, Gianna stared at Herman, "You're trying to shove all the blame on me to make you and Anastasia feel better. Are you afraid to face the truth that your grandmother caused your child's death? Herman, turns out you're just as hypocritical." "Gianna, if I wanted to get you, I could think of a hundred ways," Herman said coldly. "Don't test my patience or my limits. You know why I'm here. Whatever you're hiding in your and Joey's house will soon come to light. I've already sent someone to check." Gianna remained unfazed, only responding with a cold laugh, "What are you hoping to find? Herman, if you're looking for a reason to pin on me, you've got plenty. In my current state, I don't see much point in anything. Being all alone, I have nothing to fear." Herman couldn't detect any panic in Gianna's calm demeanor.

Could his suspicions have been wrong?

When Herman had intercepted Gianna, he had already instructed Dailey to sneak into her house for a search.

At that moment, Dailey called Herman, reporting, "Boss, there's nobody here. I've searched the entire house, inside and out, and found nothing."

Hearing Dailey's report over the phone, Herman's gaze sharpened as he looked at Gianna.

Gianna, for once, met Herman's eyes directly, fearless and open, "Herman, did you find what you were looking for?"