Because Layna was just a kid, Herman decided to let the Stranz family handle things.
Of course, that also meant putting the Stranzes right on the spot.
If Scott couldn''te up with a solution that satisfied the Salstroms, the Salstrom family would only have more reason to take matters into their own hands.
Scott was stuck. Honestly, he would''ve preferred if Herman just sorted it out himself—he''d have gone along with anything, as long as it wasn''t too much.
But the Salstroms, acting generous on the surface, were really just turning up the pressure.
Guests started gathering, drawn by themotion. Even Jonah showed up, hanging back at the edge of the crowd. Justin was with him, wanting to step in, but Jonah caught his arm and held him back.
This was a Stranz-Salstrom issue, all because some kids got into a fight. The Wisman family wasn''t about to wade into that mess.
It was clear Herman wanted the Stranz family to exin themselves. Even though the Wismans and Stranzes had been close for years, this time, they had to stay on the sidelines.
The tension in the room was thick, the mood icy, and no one looked happy.
Scott took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Mr. Salstrom, I really am sorry. Layna''s had it rough-she lost her parents young and only recently came back to us. We haven''t done a great job raising her yet, so this is on us."
His face darkened as he turned to Layna. "Layna, apologize to Paradise. Right now. If you don''t, you can go back to where you came from. If I can''t teach you, someone else will."
The threat of being sent back to the orphanage, back to Mr. Duncan and the hard life she''d left behind, made Layna panic.
She didn''t want to go back to being poor. She was supposed to be a Stranz now, living like a princess, not scavenging for leftovers.
Juliana, seeing how serious things had gotten, didn''t dare say a word.
Layna shuffled over to Pattie, tears streaming down her face. "I''m sorry, Paradise," she sobbed. "I shouldn''t have ruined your painting."
But her apology sounded hollow, more scared than sincere.
Pattie wasn''t buying it. She signed with her hands, her face set: Tell everyone why you were in there. Why did you try to take my painting? Did you rip it on purpose?
Anastasia, standing nearby, tranted for everyone. "Layna, why were you in the gift room? Why did you take Pattie''s painting? Did you tear it on purpose?”
The ruined paintingy on the floor in two pieces. Justin recognized it right away —it was the one he''d given Pattie.
Seeing Pattie fight for that painting made Justin''s heart ache, but he also felt proud. Every time he saw her, she stood her ground with Layna-Pattie never backed down.
Layna just sobbed, refusing to answer. Scott nudged her arm, his voice low. "Layna. Say something."
That was altit
took for Layna to lose itpletely. She shouted through her tears, "I was looking for the painting! Justin''s painting! Paradise doesn''t deserve it, and if I can''t have it, she can''t either!"
She bolted out of the room, face red and blotchy. She nearly crashed into Justin at
the door, her embarrassment making her cry even harder as she ran outside.
“Layna! Layna!” Juliana called, hurrying after her.
And just like that, Scott was left holding the bag.
He looked exhausted and
embarrassed, sighing before turning
to Herman. "Mr. Salstrom, I''m tr
sorry. Layna''s just too much to. handle Tomorrow, I''ll send her to St. Winfred''s Academy. The teachers there will straighten her out. As for the broken gifts, I''ll pay for everything."
St. Winfred''s was infamous—a strict, almost military boarding school parents
threatened their troublemakers with.
Kids dreaded ending up there.
That was the best Scott could offer.
He turned to Pattie, his tone gentler. "Paradise I''m so sorry. It''s your birthday you deserve better. Happy birthday, sweetheart. I''ll grant you three wishes-anything you want, just name it. That''s a promise, for life." s?novel