Scott''s promise tonight was the biggest olive branch he could''ve offered.


    Three wishes. No expiration date.


    That meant Pattie basically had the Stranz family on speed dial. As long as she didn''t ask them to do anything illegal or outrageous, Scott would say yes-no questions asked.


    Those three wishes ended up being her greatest shield, even yearster.


    Pattie didn''t bother checking with her parents. She just nodded.


    This was the Stranz family''s way of making things right. If she''d gone to ask her parents first and then agreed, everyone would''ve thought the adults put her up to it. And honestly, with a deal this sweet, you''d be a fool to say no.


    Now, if Layna ever started up her nonsense again, Pattie could just let the Stranz family handle it.


    Seeing Pattie agree, Scott finally rxed. As long as Pattie was okay, everything else would fall into ce.


    Herman turned to Anastasia. "Take Pattie, get that bump on her forehead checked, and find her something clean to wear."


    Pattie''s dress was wrecked from the fight-no way she could be seen like that.


    She''d mostlye out unscathed, except for the swelling on her forehead where Juliana had shoved her.


    Anastasia got the message and led Pattie out by the hand.


    Scott seized the moment. "Mr. Salstrom, let''s step out and talk."


    With Pattie soothed, Herman still needed to cool off. Scott was smooth and smart


    enough not to make a big enemy out of the Salstroms over this.


    Herman nodded, and the two men left the room to talk privately.


    The rest of the guests began to trickle out.


    Meanwhile, Justin quietly ducked into the hotel kitchen to grab some ice, then went looking for Pattie.


    Nothing beats ice for swelling.


    Monica had just picked up Jason when she heard about the fight. She rushed to the lounge where Anastasia and Pattie were.


    By then, Pattie had changed clothes, and Anastasia was gently pressing ice to her forehead.


    "Oh my gosh, look at that bump! Layna again?" Monica was fuming. "That girl is such a troublemaker. Who thought it was a good idea to invite the Stranz family? This was supposed to be a birthday, not a brawl."


    Anastasia said, "The Salstroms didn''t actually invite them, but you know how it is —everyone runs in the same circles. In Riverdale, the Stranz family is one of the big four. You can''t just kick them out."


    Monica scowled. "So where''s Layna now?"


    "She''s probably left," Anastasia said. "That kid is impossible."


    As she tended to Pattie, Anastasia added, "Pattie, if you see Layna again, just keep your distance. We''re not afraid of trouble, but with people like her, it''s better to stay clear."


    Layna always had something up her sleeve, and with the Stranz family backing


    her, she acted like she owned the ce.


    And poor Pattie-because she couldn''t speak, she was always at a disadvantage if things went south.


    Pattie nodded. Got it, Mom.


    But she still looked glum, her mind stuck on the painting that got ripped during the fight.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Ana, Pattie, it''s me-Justin. I came to check on Pattie."


    At the sound of Justin''s voice, Pattie''s eyes, which had been dull, suddenly lit up.


    Anastasia noticed and smiled. "Come in!"


    Justin walked in, arms full with a bucket of ice packs and a towel. "Ana, I saw Pattie''s forehead was swollen, so I grabbed some ice from the kitchen."


    Dressed in his perfectly tailored little suit, Justin looked like a young prince- handsome, confident, way too charming for his age.


    Monica was instantly smitten. She whispered to Anastasia, "Whose kid is this? He''s adorable! He''s going to be a stunner when he grows up. Too bad he''s a little kid-I''ve already got Jason, or I''d wait for this one."


    Anastasia shot her a look. "Seriously? He''s the Wisman family''s eldest-Jonah''s son, the Wisman Corporation heir."


    Then she turned to Justin. "Thank you for looking out for Pattie. I''m almost out of ice. Perfect timing! Could you stay with her for a bit? I need to grab something from the front."


    Getting something was just an excuse. She was giving the kids some space. Sometimes, a parent has to know when to make themselves scarce.


    Justin nodded politely. "Of course, Ana. I''ll take care of her."


    Anastasia smiled at Pattie. "I''ll be back soon, sweetie."


    Pattie nodded, and Anastasia left the room, dragging Monica with her.


    Out in the hallway, Monica elbowed her with a grin. "Ana, you''re setting the stage


    for the kids! ying matchmaker already."


    Anastasia sighed. “Since Pattie


    stopped talking, she hardly goes out or makes friends. She''s a little


    withdrawn. Justin''s the only one


    who''s ever been really nice to her, and she actually likes him. He''s eleven, Pattie''s eight-don''t make it weird."


    Monicaughed. "Sure, it''s just friendship-for now! Childhood sweethearts, you


    wait and see. I like this kid he even brought ice to cheer her up."


    Anastasia just shook her head, unable to hide her smile.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!