Just that second implication alone was enough to make Autumn''s face go pale.


    She didn''t even dare to ask how much Mr. Walker really knew.


    “Get some rest. I''ll sleep in the guest room," Mr. Walker said, tossing out the words before turning away.


    There was a wall in Mr. Walker''s heart too-one he couldn''t get past. He was just forcing himself to ept things as they were.


    After he left, Autumn slumped onto the couch, her heart pounding with anger and fear.


    It couldn''t be more obvious: Mr. Walker was going to protect the Salstrom family- the very people who''d caused her daughter''s death. The thought made Autumn sick.


    She hadn''t managed to bring down the Salstroms. Herman and Anastasia hadn''t paid any price. And now, not only had she failed, she''d practically handed them Mr. Walker as their shield.


    Mr. Walker, who seemed so thoughtful-carefully arranging her meals, telling the housekeeper to look after her never spent another night in the same room with Autumn.


    He even brought in another housekeeper, someone who kept an eye on Autumn almost twenty-four-seven. It wasn''t just about care; it was about making sure she didn''t mess up again.


    Once Anastasia and Herman made up their minds, the whole incident faded away quietly. No big scandal—everything smoothed over.


    Two weekster, Rowan was released. Herman found awyer who imed Rowan was mentally unstable, so nothing he said could be taken seriously.


    With Mr. Walker backing them, getting Rowan out was no big deal.


    On the day Rowan was released, Herman came to pick him up himself.


    Riverdale was already well into October, but the heat still lingered.


    When Rowan saw Herman waiting by the car, he paused for a moment.


    He stood there, then finally walked over. Herman handed him a cigarette. “Get in."


    This time, Rowan didn''t argue. He got in the car without a word.


    Herman drove them down to the river. The breeze off the water was pleasantly cool. They sat in the car, windows rolled down, letting the wind wash over them.


    Herman lit a cigarette. “So what are you nning to do next?"


    Rowan held his cigarette, ncing over. "You''re just letting it go, not fighting for Anastasia. That''s not the Herman I know."


    "And turning yourself in-that''s not the Rowan know," Herman shot back. "You didn''t just do it for Anastasia. You wanted revenge for Asher But you had nothing-


    proof, just ming Autumn. Did you


    really think that would work?"


    Without Jason and Herman working things behind the scenes, Rowan would never


    have made it. And even with Herman''s help, it came at a big cost.


    Rowan didn''t argue. "Now you''ve got Mr. Walker on your side. The road ahead will


    be easier. Take good care of her, Herman."


    With that, Rowan got out of the car and walked away.


    Herman didn''t try to stop him.


    Not long after Rowan left, Anastasia called. “Did you pick up Rowan?"


    "Yeah. He left again."


    “Hanna just called—she can''t find him. I''ll text her back."


    "Okay."


    Rowan vanished. Hanna never saw hime home, and after that day, nobody saw him again. No one knew where he''d gone—not even Anastasia could reach him.


    As for Autumn, Mr. Walker''s people kept a close watch. She barely left the house.


    It wasn''t until after the case was closed that Katelyn finally heard some whispers, and it was Flynn Salstrom who tipped her off.


    Katelyn rushed to find Anastasia. “Ana, was it Autumn who had you kidnappedst time? Why would she do that?"


    Katelyn could be scatterbrained sometimes, but when it came to big things, she didn''t mess around.


    She''d always called her "Autumn, my dear," but now it was just "Autumn."


    She and Anastasia might not see eye to eye on parenting, but Anastasia was family -nobody else got to pick on her.


    Anastasia, worried Katelyn would get hurt if she stayed clueless, finally exined, "Autumn is Julie''s biological mother."


    That one sentence said it all.


    Katelyn stared, shocked. "Autumn is


    Julie''s biological mother? That''s wild. So she really was behind the


    kidnapping?ike mother, lik


    daughter huh? Now it all uts...''


    Katelyn suddenly understood. "No wonder she likes Daria so much. No wonder she ignored all those societydies but got close to me. She''s been plotting this from the start.


    She''s way more calcting than l


    thought."