Autumn felt uneasy.


    Joseph hadn''t brought Daria again today. Autumn had really wanted a chance to see her, but it looked like that hope was dashed.


    Mr. Walker was only here because Feiman invited him. If it were up to Herman and Anastasia, neither he nor Joseph would have gotten an invite at all.


    Since Mr. Walker started working in Riverdale, he''d never been to anyone''s private party. This was his first time showing up anywhere, and his appearance tonight made everyone respect the Salstrom family even more.


    People had tried everything to get Mr. Walker to attend their events, but he always declined. Yet here he was, at the birthday party for the Salstroms'' eldest daughter. The Salstroms'' influence was something else if they could get Mr. Walker to show up, what couldn''t they do?


    Feiman and Katelyn were ying host tonight. When Katelyn heard Mr. Walker''sment, she turned to Autumn with concern. "Autumn, sweetie, are you alright?"


    Herman hadn''t told Katelyn or Feiman that Autumn might have been involved in Anastasia''s kidnapping. Without solid proof, it was better not to say anything. Besides, Katelyn wasn''t exactly the most subtle person-if she got involved, she could easily ruin everything.


    It was probably for the best that Katelyn stayed in the dark. With her out of the loop, Herman and Anastasia could dig for more useful information.


    Autumn forced a smile. "Just a little stomach ache. I''m going to run to the restroom."


    "I''lle with you," Katelyn said, warm and enthusiastic as ever.


    Autumn couldn''t say no, so the two of them headed off together.


    Katelyn wasn''t thrilled about the idea of Mr. Walker and Autumn making Joseph their godson. Honestly, who could me her? No wife wants her husband''s illegitimate child to suddenly have everything go their way.


    As they washed their hands in the bathroom, Katelyn finally brought it up. "Autumn, I heard you and Mr. Walker want to make Joseph your godson? That''s news to me. Why didn''t you mention it before?"


    Katelyn seriously doubted this was some spur-of-the-moment decision. She and Autumn were on good terms, and she was basically Joseph''s stepmother, after all. But Autumn hadn''t said a word until now.


    Autumn replied, "Mr. Walker and I never had kids. Now that we''re older, I see you surrounded by your grandkids, and I can''t help but wish for some of that. When you get to our age, what matters most is having a lively home, not money or status."


    Katelyn waved a hand. “There are plenty of young men out there, but Joseph''s stubborn as a mule. Why pick him? Honestly, I think you could find someone better. Take James,


    for example-the guy who wa


    sitting next to my eldest son. He''s a doctor, an orphan, really decent. He''d treat you and Mr. Walker well, I''m sure. Let me introduce you!"


    Katelyn meant well, but Autumn felt nothing but awkwardness and irritation.


    She didn''t need Katelyn pretending to be her friend or ying matchmaker. Frankly, Autumn was tired of her nosy interference.


    Drying her hands with a paper towel, Autumn replied, her tone edged with sarcasm, Katelyn, you were like this before too-setting up Julie with your eldest son. If I remember fight, Julie only agreed to go out with him because you arranged it. And then he ended up marrying someone no one even knew."


    The words were loaded with me. If Katelyn hadn''t meddled back then, maybe Julie wouldn''t have ended up the way she did. Now Katelyn was interfering again, trying to block Autumn from making Joseph her godson. It was infuriating, and Autumn just couldn''t help herself.


    But Katelyn, oblivious as ever, justughed. "Oh, I know, my judgment was way


    off with Julie. If I''d known she was so scheming, I never would''ve set her up with Herman. But James is a good kid, I promise. Why not give him a chance, Autumn?"


    That just made Autumn even angrier Katelyn managed to insult her daughter and miss the point entirely.


    Honestly, Autumn hadn''t been all that eager to make Joseph her godson before. But now, out of pure stubbornness, she was determined to go through with it.


    "We''ll see," Autumn said, struggling to keep her cool. "I need to grab something from my car. You go ahead back to the party, Katelyn. It''s your granddaughter''s birthday you shouldn''t be gone too long."


    “Oh, you''re right! Pattie''s ying piano soon, I can''t miss it. You get what you need and hurry back, okay?"


    "I will," Autumn said.


    Katelyn left with a smile and bustled back to the party, while Autumn slipped away in the other direction. She didn''t go to her car. Instead, she found a quiet, empty spot, pulled out her phone, and made a call.


    "Are you ready? The party''s already started. Keep it subtle, but don''t worry if the photos are a little obvious. Nobody''s going to care if they''re real or not-as long as there''s a story, that''s all that matters..."