Julie rose to her feet and headed towards the sound of the ringing phone. Her every step was causing Anastasia to hold her breath.


    The click-cking of Julie''s heels got louder and louder, making it harder for Anastasia to


    breathe.


    Julie walked over to check behind a pir, but found nothing except the distant chatter of a man on his phone echoing down the hallway.


    She nced at the man, a beefy stranger she didn''t recognize, and paid him no mind before heading back.


    Anastasia only emerged from her hiding spot behind the fire exit after Julie had left. She had quickly hidden herself there when Julie had approached. Exhausted and shaken, Anastasia slowly made her way towards the lounge of the clubhouse. Meanwhile, Grannie Anita, seeing Julie return, asked, "Who was that, dear?"


    "Just a stranger passing by, on his phone." Julie replied. She then asked, "Grannie, where will Herman be staying tonight? When should I join him?"


    "No rush, darling. He''ll be at the Ritz Hotel. You can head overter, probably around ten when his business wraps up. We have a room booked for him to rest in. When he''s settled, you can use this key card to join him." Grannie Anita said with a twinkle in her eye, "Best case scenario, you give me a big, chubby grandson."


    "Grannie," Julie said, blushing and lowering her head. She then asked, "What about the child in Anastasia''s belly..."


    "That''s not your concern. I''ll handle it. She dodged a bullet today, but she won''t be so lucky next time." Grannie Anita huffed, "I''ve arranged for some medicine to be delivered in a few days. I''ll find a way to make her ingest it. No bastard child shall tarnish the Salstrom name. I swear, I''ll throw her and that illegitimate girl out."


    Grannie Anita saw Anastasia as a stain on the Salstrom family''s honor, and she was determined to cleanse her family''s name.


    Sensing Grannie Anita''s hatred for Anastasia, Julie felt a surge of joy. With Grannie Anita as her ally, she didn''t need to lift a finger against Anastasia. She just had to wait for her turn to be Mrs. Salstrom. Meanwhile, Anastasia had found a corner to sit and digest what she had just heard.


    Grannie Anita was a snake in the grass. She didn''t care for her at all. Instead, she was plotting to set Julie up with Herman. Anastasia couldn''t let that happen.


    "Anastasia, there you are! I''ve been looking for you. Why didn''t you pick up your phone?" Lauren asked, sitting down with a smile. "By the way, why were you looking for Julie?"


    000


    08:22


    "I was in the restroom, so I didn''t hear my phone." Anastasia lied casually, "I needed to talk to her about something, but it''s not important now. Oh, and Lauren, don''t tell anyone was here, okay?" "Anastasia, what are you up to? You''re acting all secretive."


    Anastasia hinted, "Just taking out the trash."


    Lauren was even more confused.


    Soon, night fell.


    Anastasia received a call from Herman, who told her about his engagement for the evening and asked her to rest early.


    Herman always informed her about his activities - who he was meeting, where they''d be. The venue for tonight''s event was located at the Ritz Hotel, the same ce Grannie Anita nned to set Julie up with Herman.


    Anastasia arrived at the Ritz Hotel early, and meanwhile, Julie was also eagerly heading to the same ce. She had dressed provocatively and sprayed herself with a special perfume that had aphrodisiac effects. Once Herman got a whiff of her,bined with the effects of alcohol, she was certain she''d have him.


    Julie booked a room and waited. Around ten, she received a text from Grannie Anita.


    "Room 1122. That''s where Herman is. The key card will be delivered to you shortly."


    Herman was drunk and had been escorted back to his room by Nelson to sleep it off.


    Receiving the message, Julie was thrilled. After a while, as promised, a hotel employee delivered the key card to her.


    00.00