The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Monica, forever single and not particularly by choice, just couldn't get her head around all this love drama. Herman was standing by Anastasia, yet Anastasia, not wanting to complicate things for him, was ready to accept her fate. Monica looked at Anastasia, who seemed utterly defeated, and felt at a loss. How could she possibly reignite the spark in someone whose spirit seemed entirely crushed?

Her heart felt like it had turned to stone.

Visiting hours were up, and Monica had to leave. As she walked away, Anastasia remained calm-a far cry from the emotional turmoil she'd been in while in the hospital. The deep sorrow on her face had softened, and her bitterness seemed to have dissipated. With Granny Anita's passing, Anastasia's resentment had melted away, giving her a sense of release.

As Monica exited the precinct, she bumped into Gianna, who was just arriving.

Gianna asked, "Monica, how's Anastasia holding up?"

"It's hard to say. She's hanging in there for now," Monica replied, her words laden with unspoken thoughts. She couldn't tell if Anastasia's condition was good or bad. The situation was dire, but emotionally, Anastasia seemed genuinely relieved. Gianna, visibly anxious, pressed on, "What's the Salstrom family thinking? What's Herman's take on all this?"

"Ana said Herman will save her. As long as he's given his word, I think she'll be okay."

Disappointment flashed in Gianna's eyes when she heard Herman still intended to save Anastasia. "He's really going to save her? Even after she killed his grandma, he's not holding her accountable?"

"That old hag had it coming. She started it, and Ana just finished it. If Herman can't see that, I'll never forgive him."

Gianna muttered to herself, "He really does love Anastasia."

Despite everything, Herman was willing to pull Anastasia out of the fire.noveldrama

"Good for him. At least he's being a stand-up guy," Monica said, her determination setting in. "Gianna, I need to swing by the Salstrom estate and hear from Herman himself about what's going to happen. Otherwise, I won't be able to rest easy." "I'll come with you," Gianna responded.

As night fell, Salstrom Manor was buzzing with anticipation.

The Salstrom elders had been waiting in the great hall all day, and Herman had yet to show up, causing murmurs of discontent among them.

Feiman Salstrom had asked Dailey several times about Herman's whereabouts and intentions, but all Dailey would say was, "I don't know." Feiman ordered Dailey to dismiss the bodyguards, but Dailey remained unmoved, replying, "Without the boss's orders, I can't."

Feiman's blood pressure was rising by the minute.

Herman's phone was unreachable, and all the family could do was wait.

Granny Anita's siblings were present too, demanding justice from the Salstroms. But realistically, what could they ask for now that she was dead?

The authorities would come to their own conclusions; it wasn't these people's place to cast blame.

Each person in the room had their own agenda or was being used as a pawn in someone else's game.

Some had been stirred up by Joseph, who was keen to put pressure on Herman.

Joseph was curious to see how Herman would handle the situation and to what extent he would go to protect Anastasia.

It was all a most intriguing game.

Salstrom Manor was ablaze with light, the housekeepers waiting outside, while inside the great hall, grievances filled the air. People were blaming Feiman, demanding he take control of his son.

"Herman's really gone off the deep end, look at the kind of woman he married. We should have never let her into the family."

"Absolutely, and poor Granny, gone too soon. Feiman, you're her only son. You need to get justice for her. That murderer must pay." The speaker was one of Granny Anita's brothers, well into his seventies, and not without his own share of support from the Salstroms over the years.

Half of those present were from Granny Anita's side of the family.

The rest were from the Salstrom side, siblings who had received kindness and a share of the inheritance from Granny Anita after the old man passed. But greed knows no bounds, and these Salstroms were all thinking about how their descendants could take over Elysian Technologies, not just settle for scraps.

Both factions had gathered here today to pressure Herman into dealing with Anastasia, seeking compensation, or even forcing Herman to step down as CEO.

The younger generation was there too, ready to chime in when needed.

The great hall was in uproar, the elder members full of righteous indignation and authority, leaving Feiman, a junior by comparison, to just take the heat. Katelyn Salstrom listened to the crowd berating her son and felt a sting of irritation, but she refrained from speaking out to avoid further inflaming the situation.

Just then, a series of footsteps approached from outside, and a mocking voice rang through the hall, "Quite the gathering we have here today. Not a soul missing." Everyone turned toward the sound to see Herman, his expression cool and detached, striding in with his entourage.