The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

After splitting up at the apartment, Herman finally checked his phone. Three missed calls, all from Feiman. The tail from the previous night came to mind, and Herman knew what was up.

Without wasting time, he drove straight back to the office. Feiman was there in no time.

"Where were you last night?" Feiman demanded, skipping any pleasantries.

Unfazed, Herman replied, "Your guys should have already told you."noveldrama

Feiman was fuming. "Herman, your grandmother's barely cold in the grave, and you're back dealing with her killer? What happened to the promise you made at the wake? Do you want her to turn in her grave?"

"I haven't forgotten," Herman said with a hardened look. "She is turning, because her real killer is still out there, walking free."

"The real killer?" Feiman was taken aback. "What do you mean? Where's this 'real' killer coming from?"

"Just let me handle it," Herman said, his brows knitting together. "Why don't you focus on arranging Joseph's wedding with the Browns? And figure out how to keep Mom happy."

Feiman was struggling to read Herman. He sat down, looking intently at his son. "I don't know what's going on in that head of yours. I get Joseph to acknowledge his roots, you're silent. I arrange his marriage to Julie, no protest. Are you really okay with him being part of the Salstrom family tree?" "Joseph's your son, not mine. What's it to me?"

Feiman was at a loss for words.

Changing the subject, Feiman said, "I heard from your Uncle Lin that you've been snagging a lot of projects from Brown Corp. What's your game?"

"Business is about skill, it's not about stealing," Herman retorted with a frosty smile. "Tell Devin not to get his knickers in a twist. It's all fair game, just a misunderstanding. If he wants a project, a simple heads-up will do."

Feiman, somewhat reassured by his son's response, had one last thing to say before leaving. "Remember what I said. Anastasia's not setting foot in the Salstrom house again."

He left, running into Flynn at the door. "Dad."

"Don't be loafing around," Feiman said. "Learn something about running the business from your brother."

"Yeah, got it," Flynn replied, half-hearted.

Once Feiman was gone, Flynn entered Herman's office. "You met with Anastasia, and Dad found out? What if he never lets her in the house?"

"No problem," Herman said with a casual air. "If it comes to it, I'll join her family instead."

Flynn was stunned. "Are you trying to give Mom and Dad a heart attack? Marry into her family?"

"It's not off the table," Herman said, unbothered. "Nice to see you in the office early."

"I've been here since eight. You were probably still in bed with Anastasia," Flynn teased, sure his brother hadn't come home last night.

"What did Anastasia say?" Flynn asked, getting down to business.

"The second stab wound on Grandma's chest wasn't her doing," Herman's brows furrowed. "There has to be a second assailant."

Flynn was excited. "We could go straight to the cops with this."

"Do you think they'll take the word of an accused murderer?" Herman gave Flynn a pointed look. "The Browns' luck hasn't run out yet. Julie's pregnant, and the evidence is too thin. Reopening the case now would be a mistake. We wait two more months." "The key issue is the lack of evidence. If we strike now, the Browns could turn it around on Anastasia. We need to hit them where it hurts, with no chance for them to recover."

"So, you're thinking of the fifth of May? Joseph and Julie's wedding day?" Flynn pieced it together.

"Right," Herman confirmed. "In the meantime, keep a close watch on Brown Corp. I've got Dailey looking for evidence on Julie's involvement in the murder."

The idea filled Flynn with anticipation. "When we nail it, the Browns are done for. Devin won't be able to save Julie."

"No matter what, Devin can't save Julie," Herman scoffed. "But waiting till May minimizes our losses. Plus, we still haven't caught the person who sabotaged our Shanghai factory shipments. We need to be wary. That's the real ticking time bomb."