Herman watched Autumn with an unreadable, almost icy look, his gaze sharp and unyielding. From the moment Autumn walked into the Grand Oak Hotel, she''d felt a pair of eyes tracking her every move-calm, patient, waiting.
Herman knew better than to take Autumn lightly. He''d learned long ago that she was trouble, and he wasn''t about to let his guard down.
Dailey had been tailing Autumn ever since she slipped away to the restroom to make a phone call. Hidden just out of sight, Dailey had caught every word, clear as a bell.
Herman was already ahead of Autumn''s schemes. There was no way he''d let her tamper with the photos on hisptop or give her a shot at humiliating Anastasia.
Autumn was, after all, the mayor''s wife. Herman couldn''t move against her-at least not yet. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be standing here, trying to keep up appearances.
"I-I..." Autumn stammered, her voice shaky. She was rattled, unsure whether Herman had overheard her earlier phone call.
Still, she reassured herself, even if he had caught wind of it, she''d been careful with her words. He probably didn''t know her real n.
She took a breath, straightened up, and slipped into her role. "It''s nothing really, Mr. Salstrom. I was just feeling a little off earlier. Thank you for your concern."
Her tone was distant, almost chilly, her "Mr. Salstrom" polite but pointed-making it clear she wanted to keep things formal.
Herman''s gaze was piercing, as though he could see right through her. He held her eyes for a few moments, then looked away, his face unreadable. "Maybe Mrs. Walker''s still getting used to Riverdale. Tell me, have you been here before?"
Autumn recalled what Devin had warned her. Now was not the time to lie. "Yes, I have," she said quietly, looking down. "I went to college here."
"Oh?" Herman asked casually. "So you''re from around here?"
"No," Autumn replied quickly, eager to change the subject. "Looks like dinner''s about to start, Mr. Salstrom. Should we go in?"
"Of course, Mrs. Walker. After you." Herman''s manners were impable, his tone smooth, doing his best to put Autumn at ease.
Autumn walked ahead, but Herman hung back, pulling out his phone and speaking just loudly enough for her to hear, "They finally figured out the truth about Ben''s death-it was those four men he hired..."
He made sure Autumn heard every word.
Sure enough, she stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding, and nced back at him, panic flickering across her face.
Herman simply waved her on. "Go on, Mrs. Walker. I''ve got to take this call."
"...Alright." Autumn''s heart raced as she hurried back into the banquet hall, desperate to get away.
Herman stood there, watching her retreat. He slipped his phone back into his pocket-he hadn''t called anyone at all. The whole thing had been a setup, a test.
He already suspected Autumn was behind Anastasia''s kidnapping. He was certain of it.
Autumn, Julie''s real mother, was out for revenge-trying to destroy Anastasia for Julie''s sake.
Like mother, like daughter.
Autumn''s tricks were just as ruthless as Julie''s, if not more.
But without hard proof, Herman couldn''t do anything about it. Not while Mr. Walker was still riding high in the public''s good graces. First, he''d have to cut Autumn off from her support. Only then could be take her down and get justice for Anastasia.
Herman''s eyes grew colder, calcting. Autumn wouldn''t be hard to corner- Devin would be his opening.
Last time, he''d almost caught Autumn in the act. If he could just drive a wedge between Mr. and Mrs. Walker, everything would fall into ce.
Back in the banquet hall, Autumn sat down, her hands trembling so much she nearly spilled her water. She
took a careful sip, trying to calm her nerves, but her thoughts were spinning.
Just as she set her ss down, Katelyn leaned over and whispered, "Hey, is that Devin over there? Kcan''t believe he''d show up at a Salstrom family dinner.”
At the sound of Devin''s name, Autumn''s face went pale. She looked up, and sure
enough, there was Devin, sitting quietly at a table in the corner.