In the tight-knit world of corporate elites, the buzz about the proposed merger-and marriage between the Fosters and the Lindbergs was on everyone''s lips. Rumors of turmoil within Brown Corporation had insiders sniffing out a scandal. Folks were on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if this alliance would actually go through.


    Would the Fosters really tie the knot with the Salstroms, who seemed more like a liability than an asset?


    Herman Foster had kept his cards close to his chest, while Joseph Salstrom was infamous for his nightly escapades. The whole situation was a hotbed of spection.


    That night....


    Julie Foster jolted awake from a nightmare, drenched in sweat. She''d dreamt of herte Grandmother Anita, covered in blood,ing to im her life. Terrified, she couldn''t stay in her room and dashed downstairs to the living room. Only after turning on every light did she feel a bit safer.


    "Miss," the nanny, Helen, appeared behind her out of nowhere.


    Julie screamed, then, recognizing Helen, she snapped, "Jesus, Helen! Can''t you make some noise when you walk?"


    Helen, looking hurt, apologized, "Sorry, Miss. I just wanted to see if you were hungry. I could make you something to eat?"


    "No, just leave me alone!" Julie snapped irritably. "You''re like a bad penny, always turning up!"


    "Miss, did you have a bad dream again? Back in my hometown, we had a remedy for nightmares."


    Julie''s curiosity was piqued, "What remedy?"


    "It involves drinking water mixed with ashes and walking three times around your bed with your shoes pointing inwards. They say it wards off the ''night hag''..."


    Hearing ''night hag'', Julie felt a chill run down her spine, "Stop talking nonsense. You and your night hags!"


    Fuming, Julie stormed back upstairs and stood in front of the mirror. Her reflection showed her growing belly, deepening her sense of helplessness. She called Joseph, but after a few rings, the call was abruptly disconnected. "Ugh, bastard!" In a fit of rage, she hurled her phone across the room.


    Devin Foster, her father, stood in the doorway just in time to see the phonend at his feet.


    Seeing her father, Julie stood up, tears welling in her eyes, "Dad, Joseph hasn''t visited in months. He doesn''t care about me or the baby."


    "Stop crying. As long as he shows up on the wedding day, that''s all that matters. Swallow those tears," Devin said sternly. "If Joseph doesn''t show, I''ll have even more reason to demand an exnation from the Salstroms." Julie wanted to argue, but Devin had already turned and left. Alone, she unleashed her frustration, smashing various objects in her room.


    Not only were the Fosters eagerly awaiting the wedding, but Anastasia Lindberg was also counting down the days.


    For the past couple of months, Herman had been secretly gathering evidence, and Jason from the Lindberg side was also busy.


    The night before the wedding, Anastasia had just tucked in her daughter Pattie and was startled awake by a knock at the door. To her surprise, it was Herman. "What are you doing here sote?" she asked.


    Ever since Salma had been sent to Willowbrook, Anastasia couldn''t leave Pattie alone at home, so their dates had shifted to her rental ce.


    "I thought you wouldn''te," Anastasia said, noting the time.


    Herman stepped inside, changing out of his shoes. "Is Pattie asleep?"


    "Yep, she''s been asleep for a while," she replied. "Did youe here because of the wedding tomorrow?"


    Herman''s expression turned cold, "I''ve found the evidence that Julie killed Grandma. After tomorrow, the Fosters will slowly vanish from the Lindberg sphere."


    "What evidence?" Anastasia asked, her curiosity piqued. She longed for the day when the schoolyard whispers about the Lindberg killer would stop, allowing Pattie to hold her head high.


    "You''ll find out tomorrow," Herman said mysteriously, nting a kiss on Anastasia. "Honey, I''m a bit peckish."


    Anastasia blushed, slightly annoyed, "Is that all you ever think about? Can''t you think of something else for a change?"


    Herman looked innocently back at her. "Honey, I missed dinner for an emergency meeting. I was hoping for your homemade tomato and egg spaghetti. What were you thinking?" Anastasia was speechless.


    That man was definitely ying her.