The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

"Jack, you traitor." Devin, with veins bulging in his neck, hurled a mug at Jack in fury. "If Herman's got it out for me, tell him to come and get me. Right now."

"Calm down, Devin. Why the temper?" Jack dodged the flying mug effortlessly, a smirk playing on his lips. "You were gunning for Elysian Technologies, so you should've known this day might come. Your daughter Julie set up Granny Anita, making her believe the wrong things about your wife's pregnancy. Julie hit two birds with one stone, causing two lives to be lost. Mr. Salstrom going after you is actually a bargain for the Brown family." Jack was just using scare tactics on Devin.

Devin was the bait; Julie was the real target.

Whether Devin survived didn't matter, but news of his death would definitely hit the headlines by the next morning.

Panicking, Devin pleaded, "Assistant Rob, I need to see Mr. Salstrom. I had no clue about what Julie was up to. It's all a misunderstanding."

"Two lives lost isn't just a misunderstanding." Jack checked the time, unwilling to waste more words on Devin, and signaled the bodyguards to ensure no one entered the hospital room.

Herman owned the hospital, and once Devin was admitted, his fate was out of his hands.

After Jack left, Devin tried to make a desperate escape by removing his IV and attempting to jump out the window, only to realize he was on the eighth floor. The fear of certain death made his legs turn to jelly.

At that moment, a nurse, escorted by a bodyguard, came in with more medication: "Just one more IV, and you should be all set."

Devin, fearing Herman's intentions might involve tampering with his medication to stage a medical accident, refused the treatment, saying, "I don't need any more IVs. I feel better already..."

But it wasn't up to him. Before he could finish, the bodyguards pinned him down while the nurse inserted the IV line into his hand, ensuring he couldn't move.

As the medication flowed into his body, Devin felt a chill in his heart: "It's over. I'm done for."

The next day, news of Devin's death in the hospital was all over the internet.

Anastasia was having breakfast when she saw the news online, looking across the table at Herman in surprise: "Did Devin really pass away?"

Herman, peeling an egg for Pattie with a calm demeanor, commented lightly, "Death was too kind for him."

Anastasia understood instantly: "You used Devin as bait to draw out Julie, but knowing her, even her father's death might not bring her out."

"As long as there's a grave, Julie will come to pay her respects," Herman said, taking a sip of his milk. "We've cast the net; now we wait to reel it in."noveldrama

After breakfast, Herman planned to spend some time with Pattie. When Nelson and the driver arrived to take him to the office, Pattie grabbed his hand, not wanting him to leave.

Pattie, unable to speak, communicated through gestures, which sometimes Herman and Anastasia couldn't fully understand.

Liana arrived just then and explained, "Mr. Salstrom, Pattie wants to go out with you."

It was the first time Pattie had shown interest in going outside since the accident.

Herman readily agreed, always eager to fulfill Pattie's requests. "Alright, I'll take you with me," he said, then turned to Anastasia, "It's getting cold. You should rest at home. Pattie will be with me today." "Okay," Anastasia replied, pleased that Pattie wanted to go out.

As the father and daughter left, along with Liana to assist, Herman ensured Pattie would have company if he got tied up with work.

Planning to catch some more sleep, Anastasia headed back to her room, just as Colton showed up at the door.