Rowan rushed Anastasia to the nearby vige clinic, where she was promptly hooked up to an IV to bring down her fever. She hadn''t been eating muchtely, which had weakened her immune system, making her more susceptible to catching a cold and running a fever. When Christen returned to their meeting spot, Anastasia was nowhere in sight. She tried calling her, but there was no answer. Panic set in as Christen frantically searched the area before calling Flynn. "Flynn, Anastasia''s missing! We split up to look for people, and when I got back, she was gone. She''s been acting strangetely-do you think she might do something drastic?"


    "I told you to keep an eye on her! What are you doing? First, Herman gets into trouble, and now Anastasia. What about the kids at home?" Flynn, already on edge, snapped at Christen. "Send me the location. I''m on my way."


    Christen, now in tears, feared that if anything happened to Anastasia, she''d never forgive herself. Flynn rushed over with a team, racing against the clock. Feiman and Katelyn were equally worried when they got the news. It felt like the sky was falling.


    In the hotel room, Katelyn wiped away her tears. "Is our family cursed this year? Oh, Lord, please keep my son and daughter-inw safe. The kids are still so young."


    Feiman, who had lost weight from stress, was trying to keep Elysian Technologies afloat amidst turmoil. With Flynn preupied, Joseph stepped up, offering strategic advice and managing the public rtions crisis. Meanwhile, Salma, far away in Riverdale, had her hands full with her two little ones and could only call to stay updated on the situation.


    As night fell, Anastasia woke up in the quiet vige clinic. The unfamiliar surroundings made her wary, and she sat up quickly, which made her head spin, feeling the sting on her hand. She noticed the IV in her hand and the half-full drip bottle. Realizing she was in a clinic, she felt a bit more at ease.


    Just then, Rowan entered, pulling back the curtain. Despite the mask covering half of his face, Anastasia recognized him immediately, her guard up. "It''s you!"


    Even with the mask, his presence was unmistakable. Rowan responded calmly, "You had a fever and fainted on the side of the road. It''s gone down now." He handed her a bar of Hershey''s chocte. "It''s hard to get food around here. Eat this to regain some strength."


    Anastasia eyed the chocte but


    didn''t take it. Instead, she pulled out the IV and attempted to get out of bed. Rowan blocked her path,


    insisting she take the chocte


    "You need to eat to have the


    strength to keep searching it''s been


    solong; Herman might not be alive."


    "He is alive," Anastasia said firmly, her eyes boring into his. "Why are you here? Did you have anything to do with Herman''s disappearance?"


    Rowan removed his mask, his face expressionless. "I came to see if Herman was really dead. From what I''ve gathered, he likely is. It''s a tragic ident, no one''s fault."


    With that, Rowan turned to leave. Anastasia, feeling a bit stronger, followed him. "Rowan, why did you save me back then?"


    Rowan paused, standing tall in his coat, his back to Anastasia. For a fleeting moment, his usually stern features softened. "I owed you. Now


    we''re even." Once, she had shown him a kindness, a remark so


    insignificant to her but a rave


    warmth in his otherwise cold life.


    Anastasia, bewildered, wondered what he owed her. She stepped in front of him, her gaze icy. "Is it worth it, working for Asher? You proved you''re not heartless when you saved me. Rowan, it''s never toote to change. Do you really want to spend your life behind bars?"


    "That''s my business," Rowan replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "You should head back to Riverdale. Herman is gone; face the facts. With him gone, all those grudges end here."


    With Herman''s demise, Asher wouldn''t have any reason to trouble the Salstrom family further. After speaking, Rowan disappeared into the night. Anastasia watched him go, sensing a profound loneliness in his retreating figure.


    Rowan had already settled the bill at the clinic. Anastasia decided against continuing the IV treatment. She realized her phone was dead, so she borrowed one from the vige doctor to call Flynn.