recovery filled Herman with a sense of peace as he tenderly took Pattie''s small hand in his, watching her sleep for a moment.


    Tying her apron, Anastasia headed to the kitchen to whip up some pasta for Herman, while he checked in on Pattie in the bedroom. Pattie''s forehead wound was healing nicely, thanks to the top-notch scar treatment cream Herman had imported. The thought of her Perhaps it was the love spilling over or something else, but the bond he felt with Pattie was incredibly strong. She seemed like she was always meant to be his daughter. Pattie woke up and was overjoyed to see Herman, climbing out of the covers with a beaming smile. "Daddy, daddy!" "Shh, don''t let your mom hear, or she''ll give me an earful for waking you," Herman said with a chuckle. Pattie mimicked the shushing gesture and grinned. "Daddy, I missed you. You work so hard. When I grow up, I''m going to make big bucks and take care of you, Mom, and Grandma."


    "Is that right? Then I''ll be living the good life," Herman said warmly. "Pattie, study hard, and when you''re older you can help manage thepany so I can retire early and spend some quality time with your mom. Your Uncle Flynn, well, he''s not cut out for business." Herman felt a bit helpless when it came to Flynn, whocked drive and often got outsmarted due to his soft heart. Anastasia approached the room, intending to invite Herman for some chicken soup, but overheard his ns to entrust Elysian Technologies to Pattie. She was stunned. Pattie wasn''t even rted by blood, yet Herman was ready to train her to take over a vast legacy. Did Herman no longer want his own children? Anastasia reflected on her health, realizing how difficult it would be for her to have another child. Without interrupting the two, Anastasia sat in the dining room. Hearing the water boiling in the kitchen, she hurried to add the pasta. Once cooked, she garnished it with some freshly chopped chives, creating a mouthwatering bowl of tomato and egg pasta. She enriched the dish with chicken broth for an even heartier vor.


    "That smells amazing," said Herman, emerging from the room. "Did Pattie go back to sleep?" Anastasia asked. "Yeah, she''s out," Herman replied as he sat down for his meal. The first bite was pure satisfaction. "Anastasia, this reminds me of our days back in Harmony Meadows. Life was so simple yet so fulfilling."


    He longed for a life of simplicity with Anastasia. No need for extravagance just the seasons and daily meals. Coming home to a hot bowl of his wife''s pasta after a long day''s work, whispering sweet nothings as the child slept it was a man''s dream.


    Anastasia smiled. "Monica always said you were the most down-to-earth tycoon. Seems she was right. Others chase power, wealth, luxury cars, mansions, and beauties, but for you, a bowl of steaming pasta does the trick."


    Holding her hand with one of his and eating with the other, Herman replied, "I''ve had all those things before, but it''s thiste-night warmth, thispanionship, that''s truly hard to find." Anastasiaughed. Herman had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth; what hadn''t he experienced? Yet it was these simple joys that he cherished the most.


    "If you were a broke man, would you leave us the moment fortune smiled upon you? They say a man''s three great joys are promotion, wealth, and the death of a wife," she teased. "A man in poverty chooses a woman willing to endure hardship with him. Once he''s wealthy, he goes after the woman he desires."


    Herman, ever agreeable, said, "Such men exist, but they''re not destined for great wealth. One thing''s for sure: No man worth his salt would let his beloved suffer. That''s how you spot the scoundrels."


    Anastasia''sughter rang out. "I''ve been thinking of writing a book to teach women how to spot such men..."


    Before she could finish, Herman''s lips met hers in a kiss seasoned with the taste of their simple life. He had always been present, cherishing the simplest of days with her. She smiled, "Wasn''t one bowl enough?"


    "There''s always room for seconds," Herman whispered, cautious not to wake Pattie. He lifted Anastasia onto hisp. Her skirt made things convenient, and Herman''s fingers ventured further, his intentions clear. Anastasia blushed, "Herman, this position..."


    He silenced her with another kiss, swallowing her words. "No position is too challenging for your man," he said, holding her close on hisp, their intimacy blending with thefort of their home.