After a moment of surprise, Salma asked, "Is it life-threatening?"


    Back in the day, she would have called Cynthia right away, offering her concern and support. But ever since the fiasco at Cynthia''s birthday party, the two families had stopped talking to each other.


    Gianna had deliberately dragged her feet, causing Anastasia to dy treatment, but Anastasia hadn''t mentioned it to Salma. If she had, Salma might have gone straight over to give Gianna a piece of her mind.


    Anastasia spoke up, "I''m not sure. Monica told me Joey and Gianna had a showdown right outside the café. Joey threw acid at Gianna; one ended up in the hospital, the other in the police station." Salma sighed, "After years of marriage, to end up like this, as enemies... it''s just so sad."


    They had been in love once, aiming for a happily ever after. Neither could have predicted this tragic ending. Now, it was a case of mutual destruction.


    Then Salma remembered something, "Oh, Ana, your dad hasn''t called this month. Has he reached out to you? Right after he moved back to Willowbrook, he used to call me every now and then, but I haven''t heard from him in weeks." Anastasia answered, "No, nothing. When was thest time he called you?"


    "The fifteenth ofst month. It''s nearly the end of this month now. Not a peep from your dad, and I''ve had this twitch in my eye... I''m worried something''s happened to him."


    Anastasia reassured her, "Mom, don''t worry. Maybe he''s tied up with business, or perhaps he thinks we''re not useful to him anymore and can''t be bothered. It wouldn''t be the first time."


    "This feels different, Ana. I''ve tried calling him, but his phone''s off. I''ve been trying for days." Salma fretted, "Could you maybe have someone check on him, see what he''s up to?" Salma was nudging Anastasia to reach out to Herman for help since they were both in the business world and had their connections.


    Anastasia got the hint, "Alright, I''ll make some calls in a bit."


    "Thanks, I''ll go start on dinner. Pattie, don''t forget your homework," Salma said, showing no inclination to visit Gianna at the hospital as she headed to the kitchen. Anastasia told Pattie, "Sweetie, go start on your homework in your room. I''ll give your dad a call ande check on you in a bit."


    "Okay," Pattie said sweetly, "Tell dad I miss him."


    Anastasia smiled, "I will."


    Pattie trotted off to her room, and Anastasia made her way to the bedroom to call Herman. Herman always made it a point to take Anastasia''s calls, no matter how busy he was.


    Anastasia didn''t beat around the bush and asked Herman to poke around his contacts for any news on Tavon Morton. For Herman, gathering intel on someone was a piece of cake. He just needed to make a call to the Willowbrook branch and get the scoop. By the time Salma had dinner ready, Anastasia had already received a response from Herman.


    Upon reading Herman''s message, she couldn''t help but nce over at Salma.


    Salma immediately sensed something was wrong, "Did something really happen to your dad?"


    "He''s had a stroke. He''s in the hospital now, being looked after by Ashley Stanton. Sean''s taken over Morton Group temporarily."


    Hearing this, Salma quickly untied her apron, "A stroke, just like that? No, I need to go to Willowbrook and see your dad."


    Anastasia found the stroke quite sudden as well. Tavon had always been robust, and he was just in his fifties. How could he have had a stroke out of the blue?


    "Mom, it''ste. What are you going to do there now? It''s a few hours'' drive to Willowbrook, and even if you go, you might not be allowed to see him. Ashley surely won''t let you."


    "Ana, just get me a ticket for tomorrow morning. If your dad''s had a stroke, I have to see him."