The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia got home, still a bit rattled.

First thing she did was grab her phone and call building security, letting them know about the guy who tried to kidnap her. The place she lived in had pretty tight security-once she described what the guy looked like, every exit in the complex was locked down.

Twenty minutes later, her phone rang. It was security from the property management office.

"Mrs. Salstrom, we've caught the suspicious man. Should we send him to the police, or do you want to come see for yourself?"

"Just take him straight to the police," Anastasia said after thinking for a second. "Send him to the Chaoyang police station."

Jason worked that area, and she wanted him to handle this mess.

Anastasia didn't bother going out herself. After giving her instructions, she went to the kitchen to start dinner. The twins, Emmie and Nancy, were toddling around with their nanny, happy as could be practicing their wobbly steps.

Salma and Tavon weren't home, but Anastasia didn't ask where they'd gone.

About an hour passed and dusk settled in. Flynn dropped by and was in the living room playing with the kids. Pattie had finished her homework and was helping take care of her little brother and sisters.

That's when Jason called her back—he'd already gotten the story out of the suspects.

The kidnapper's name was Ben. A total newbie-this was his first time trying anything like this. And the guy who called Ben? Nolan. The police had tracked him down too.

Apparently, someone had paid Nolan half a million yuan to get a certain microchip from Anastasia. Nolan, too nervous to do it himself, found Ben online and offered him fifty thousand to do the job.

After the call, Anastasia shook her head and muttered, "Some middleman-he pocketed ten times the money."

Jason laughed on the other end. "We found out who was behind Nolan, too. Last name's Yao."

"Asher?" Anastasia blurted out.

"That's right. Asher."

Now she was even more confused. Rowan had given her the chip, but now Asher

was paying people to steal it back-without getting involved himself.

What was going on? And where had Rowan disappeared to?

According to Jason, Asher had just paid Nolan to get the chip back. He didn't know about Nolan's deal with Ben, and he'd never told anyone to hurt Anastasia— he just wanted the chip.

So technically, Asher hadn't broken any laws. He'd already hired a lawyer and was pinning everything on Ben. Without hard evidence, the police couldn't touch Asher. Just like last time, when he'd helped Julie-no proof, no case.

Jason hesitated. "Anastasia, what's the deal with this chip? Do you really have it?"noveldrama

She answered honestly, "Rowan gave me a chip a while ago. I have no idea what's on it. I can't get ahold of him now."

Jason sounded worried. "You need to be careful. It'd probably be smart to figure out what that chip actually is."

"Okay,” Anastasia said. “Thanks for your help."

"Just doing my job."

Hanging up, Anastasia sliced up some fruit and went back to the living room. Flynn was down on all fours, letting Emmie and Nancy ride on his back like he was a pony The girls were laughing like crazy Pattie was holding onto her little brother and sister, everyone in high spirits.

When Flynn saw Anastasia, he set Nancy down, sat cross-legged on the carpet, and scooped her into his lap. "Anastasia, how do I teach. Nancy to say 'Uncle Flynn'? She just doesn't get it. My mom says she

already calls out 'Grandma

e.l.n?

'Grandpa,' 'Mommy,' and Daddy,' but

'Uncle Flynn' just won't stick."

Anastasia laughed. "That's normal. Words like 'Mommy' and 'Daddy' are simple repeats-little kids pick those up first. Uncle Flynn' is a bit trickier. You'll have to wait until their brains catch up and their language gets sharper."

Flynn frowned. "But Nancy and Emmie are almost a year old! I've seen other kids

talking clearly by now. Do I really have to wait for their brains to catch up?"

Before Anastasia could answer, a cool, dry voice came from behind them.

"Mom gave you thirty years to grow a brain. She never complained." Anastasia and Flynn turned around. Who else could roast Flynn like that? It was Herman.

Anastasia couldn't help but chuckle. Typical Herman-thirty years, and he still said Flynn's brain wasn't fully developed.

Pattie giggled, too, holding Emmie's hand and waving it at Herman. "Daddy!"

Herman came over and, out of habit, touched Pattie's cheek gently. Flynn gave him a wounded look. "Herman, how do you say such ice-cold things with such a warm face?"