Herman''sment made Mr. Walker''s face shift, just a flicker, but enough. He knew exactly what Herman was alluding to-there was no question, Herman was here to get justice for Anastasia.


    Mr. Walker kept his polite smile, mind spinning as he picked up his coffee and took a sip. "Bitter. This coffee just doesn''t hold a candle to tea. Tea starts out bitter, sure, but the more you sit with it, the sweeter it gets."


    Herman matched his smile, though it didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Tea and coffee aren''t even in the same league. Tea''s got thousands of years of history. Coffee? Barely a century here, and maybe only popr in thest twenty years."


    Mr. Walker nodded. “Exactly. Our tea is still the best. Everything passed down from our ancestors is worth cherishing."


    Their chat sounded casual, but every word was a subtle test.


    Since Mr. Walker didn''t mention the real issue, Herman saw no need to push it. Now, it was all about who could stay patient the longest.


    Herman nodded politely. "Absolutely. Tea is a treasure."


    But Mr. Walker could see Herman was dodging, refusing to bite, acting clueless. He was starting to get anxious.


    Herman might be younger, but hisposure and depth were nothing to sneeze


    at.


    Anyone else would''ve already called him out directly, or at least brought up Rowan turning himself in, or demanded an exnation about Anastasia''s kidnapping.


    But Herman? Not a word.


    For a moment, Mr. Walker just couldn''t get a read on him.


    He took another sip, and Herman said, "Mr. Walker, if coffee''s not your thing, how about we switch to tea?"


    "No, no," Mr. Walker replied, still smiling. "When in Riverdale, you''ve got to learn to appreciate the local coffee."


    "Fair enough." Herman sipped his coffee, cool as ever.


    Mr. Walker was at a loss.


    He had to admit-Herman''s patience was next-level.


    Of course Herman could hold out. Mr. Walker was the one who''de calling. If anyone was going to bring up Anastasia''s kidnapping, it''d have to be Mr. Walker- giving Herman the upper hand.


    Eventually, Mr. Walker cracked.


    "Herman, I heard your shipment''s been stuck at the port. I''ve already made a few calls-your clearance shoulde through tomorrow. Shouldn''t dy your delivery any longer. Frankly young entrepreneurs as talented as you are hard to find these days."  s


    "Thank you, Mr. Walker." Herman raised his coffee cup. "I''ll use coffee instead of wine to toast you."


    "You''ve done plenty for themunity, too. That foundation you started? It''s saved a lot of sick kids—kept families together. I admire that. Giving back is what builds a legacy."


    "I''m just doing what I can, trying to earn a little good karma for my three kids." Herman''s voice dropped. "Honestly, before I met Anastasia, I was just another profit-driven businessman. She changed me-taught me to always leave a little room for kindness."


    "Couldn''t agree more," Mr. Walker replied with a chuckle. "You really did marry well. They say a good wife brings luck for generations. Judging by your three kids -they''re bright, adorable-you''ve got proof right at home."


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Walker," Herman said modestly.


    "I mean it," Mr Walker insisted. MEW


    "Herman, today I''m not here in any official capacity. Just treat me as a regr guy. Let''s talk without the formalities. I never had the luckto have a son like you. At my age, having a child ?t alf is a blessing. I just hope for a safe delivery. I''ll be turning to you for fatherhood tips."  s


    Herman gave him apliment in return. “You''ve done so much for the people, Mr. Walker-everyone respects you. Heaven wouldn''t let your line end."


    And so the two exchanged polite ttery. The admiration was real, but when it came to family, the lines were drawn.


    Mr. Walker smiled, as if something had just dawned on him. "Oh, right—I heard there''s been some progress in Anastasia''s kidnapping case. The person who killed those four kidnappers has turned themselves in."<fnfbbf> Original content can be found at find?novel</fnfbbf>


    This was exactly what Herman had been waiting for.


    "Yes, I heard that too." Herman tapped his finger lightly on the table, sounding casual. "Apparently the culprit named Mrs. Walker as the mastermind. Quite a surprise. I really can''t figure out what my wife could''ve done to offend Mrs. Walker."


    "It''s baffling, truly," Mr. Walker said, ying dumb. "Autumn''s only been back in Riverdale a few months, and she''s always gotten along well with your other Why would she hurt Anastasia? I''ll make sure we get the bottom of this-clear up any misunderstandings."  s


    "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Walker." A faint smile yed on Herman''s lips. "I''ll


    be waiting for your good news."