Anastasia paused. "Is there something else you need?"


    "Well...," Melody hesitated, looking a bit sheepish. "Could you help me find a boyfriend? He doesn''t need to be as rich as Mr. Ford, just someone with a steady ie, preferably local, and I''m fine if he''s been married before." Anastasia was momentarily speechless. Introducing Melody to someone seemed like setting them up for trouble.


    Melody went on, "I''ve been thinking about settling down, finding a husband, someone who cares for me. I dream of being a housewife, raising kids. It''s simple, but it sounds fulfilling."


    Honestly, being a housewife was just her way of saying she wanted someone to support her financially.


    Though Melody and Melinda were in the same line of work, they were quite different in temperament and values. Melinda sent most of her earnings to her family, while Melody focused on herself, always seekingfort and luxury. Anastasia didn''t answer directly. "Why don''t you concentrate on getting better first? We can discuss the futureter."


    It was a polite way of saying no.


    But Melody, hearing this, thought there was still hope andughed, "Thank you, thank you."


    Feeling a bit awkward, Anastasia decided to leave.


    When she got home, she noticed a familiar car in the driveway. Katelyn must have returned.


    Anastasia hurried inside and saw Liana. She asked, "How long has the kids'' grandma been back?"


    "She''s been here for about half an hour," Liana replied, hesitating slightly. She chose not to say more. "Mrs. Salstrom, I''ll be heading out now."


    Anastasia asked, "Where''s Pattie?"


    "Upstairs," Liana answered. She wanted to mention that when Katelyn returned and found a scratch on Nancy''s nose, she was furious. The nanny had med Pattie for it.


    With Salma and Herman out, and Anastasia not around, Katelyn had punished Pattie by making her stand in the corner.


    This was a family matter, and Liana knew better than to interfere.


    Anastasia was unaware of Pattie''s punishment. As she headed upstairs, she saw Katelyn ying with Nancy and Emmie and didn''t approach, just greeted, "Mom, you''re back." Katelyn smiled, "Yes, I''ve been back for a little while."


    "I''ll go change and thene back to hold the babies," Anastasia said and headed to Pattie''s room.


    Pattie had been standing in the corner for twenty minutes, and her legs were still weak. Shey on the bed, resting.


    Standing in the corner left no visible marks, so neither Herman nor Anastasia noticed anything amiss.


    The household staff wouldn''t gossip either.


    "Pattie, why do you look so tired?" Anastasia teased as she approached. "What did Ms. Liana teach today?"


    Pattie didn''t mention her punishment; Katelyn had warned her not to speak about it.


    She was old enough to understand more now.


    She wasn''t her dad''s biological daughter, nor was she Katelyn''s granddaughter. If she wanted to stay with her parents, she had to behave.


    Pattie signed: Mom, I''m tired, I want to nap.


    "Alright," Anastasia gently patted Pattie''s head. "Get some rest. Did you eat dinner?"


    Pattie nodded.


    Seeing how truly tired Pattie was, Anastasia didn''t press further.


    Pattie was usually full of energy, often ying with her siblings. Katelyn''s presence probably made Pattie uneasy, leading her to stay in her room.


    Anastasia felt a pang in her heart. Once, Katelyn had doted on Pattie, but now it was clear she preferred her biological grandchildren.


    If Pattie were to feelfortable and free, Katelyn would need to move back to Salstrom Manor.


    But such matters couldn''t be addressed directly without sparking a conflict.


    Anastasia pondered how best to tactfully suggest Katelyn''s return to the manor.


    Katelyn, meanwhile, was also thinking hard, considering the string of idents involving the babies. She wanted to send Pattie to a boarding school but feared Herman''s disapproval. Both women harbored their own agendas, subtly probing Herman for his thoughts.


    If Herman couldn''t see through their intentions, he might as well give up his position as CEO of Elysian Technologies.


    Herman called his father, Feiman Salstrom. "Dad, whatever it takes, you need to convince Mom to return to Salstrom Manor. Your marital issues shouldn''t be resolved at the expense of mine." Feiman asked, "Has your mother done something again?"


    He had already noticed Katelyn''s behavior was bing reminiscent of Grannie Anita, and perhaps even more extreme.


    "A little distance can make the heart grow fonder," Herman replied. "By Friday, please have her back at the manor."