Anastasia hadn''t breathed a word to anyone that she was tailing Autumn-not a soul knew she''d slipped away to the cemetery.


    So when Herman showed up there, she was genuinely caught off guard.


    Before Herman could say a thing, a sharp cry cut through the quiet night. "Ah!"


    Daria had bitten Autumn. While Autumn winced in pain and let go, Daria broke free and took off running.


    Tears streamed down Daria''s face as he sprinted away, clearly scared and wanting nothing more than to get out of there.


    "Daria! Daria!" Autumn called, racing after him. "Don''t run off! You''ll fall! Daria, Grandma''s not going to force you anymore-I promise!"


    Autumn chased Daria right out of the cemetery. Just as they reached the front gates, a ck sedan rolled up to the curb. A bodyguard in a sharp suit stepped forward and said politely, "Mrs. Walker, your car is ready."


    Autumn nced inside and her heart skipped. Sitting in the back seat was Mr. Walker himself.


    He never came out at this hour unless something big was up. Autumn''s nerves went tight-he definitely knew something.


    "Come on, Daria. Let''s get in the car. I''ll take you home," Autumn said, trying to sound steady as she guided Daria into the back.


    Mr. Walker didn''t say a word. He just looked at Daria-one cool, measured look. With his reputation, that was enough. Daria shrank behind Autumn, peeking out at him nervously.


    "Drive, James," Mr. Walker said to the chauffeur.


    The car pulled away, the cemetery fading behind them.


    By the time Herman and Anastasia stepped out, the car was long gone.


    Anastasia felt a stab of regret. Just a moment more and she might''ve learned who Autumn hade to mourn.


    She frowned and turned to Herman. "How did you end up here?"


    Herman shot back, "Why were you following Autumn?"


    Anastasia hesitated, searching for words. "I noticed Autumn spending a lot of time with Dariately. I was curious, so I followed."


    Herman''s eyes lingered on her for long moment before he looked


    away. I''m investigating Dea


    sudden death. I saw you shadowing Autumn, so I followed too.


    He didn''t say everything he was afraid of stirring up old pain for her.


    But the truth was, looking into Ben''s death had led Herman straight to Autumn. Before Ben died, he''d met with Autumn. Herman had actually been following Autumn when he realized Anastasia was tailing her as well.


    Anastasia''s heart skipped. "You think Ben''s death has something to do with Autumn? Or-was she behind my kidnapping?"


    A cold dread washed over her. If that was true-why? Why would Autumn hate her so much?


    And with Mr. Walker backing Autumn... well, he was a big deal, a man who actually held real power.


    The Salstrom family had money, but they couldn''tpete with someone like that.


    She thought of that tech billionaire who once seemed untouchable, controlling so much of the country''s economy, only to step back and fade from the spotlight. His empire had shaped an era, but in the end even he couldn''t win against forces bigger than himself.


    If someone that powerful could be brought down, what chance did she have?


    The thought made Anastasia''s hands tremble. She wasn''t alone-she had a family, her kids, people she cared about.


    Just then, she felt a warm hand close around hers. Herman squeezed gently, his voice deep and reassuring. "Whateveres, we face it together. You and me."


    He meant it—he''d risk everything for her, no matter the cost.


    He was her anchor.


    Anastasia looked up at him, their eyes locking. Even in the chill of the cemetery, she felt a rush of warmth. With him by her side, nothing seemed so frightening.


    She finally looked away, lost in thought. "Who do you think Autumn came here to visit?"


    "We could ask the caretaker," Herman said, fingers entwined with hers as he


    stared into the night. "But if I had to guess... it''s Julie."