Chapter 292
Herman had a hunch that Anastasia was in trouble. He couldnât reach her and had a bad feeling in his gut. He immediately told his driver to head back to Harmony Meadows and made a call to Dailey, âTrack down Anastasia. I need to know where she is now.â
Flynn, sitting in the back seat, was stunned. Herman had even reached out to Dailey. He wanted to say things werenât that urgent, but seeing Hermanâs grim face, he decided to keep his mouth shut.
Who was Dailey? He was Hermanâs top-notch bodyguard for eight years, currently on a year-long break. To Herman, Dailey was like the kingâs right-hand man. Herman rarely called on him, but when he did, it meant something big was up.
Daileyâs voice came from the other end of the line, âGive me ten minutes.â In ten minutes, he would find Anastasia.
As he was on the phone, Herman had reached the entrance of Harmony Meadows.
He got out of the car, went to the security booth, and tapped on the window. The security guard, who was snoozing, woke up with a start. Seeing Herman, he got the shivers. Herman standing before the window was like the lord of the underworld.
âMr. Salstrom, youâre back.â The guard greeted him enthusiastically.
Herman asked, âHas my wife been back?â
The guard, who was familiar with half of the residents, immediately answered, âYes, just an hour ago. She even waved to me.â
Hearing this, Hermanâs brow furrowed even more. Katelyn had said Anastasia hadnât returned, but the guard said she had. This meant Anastasia had entered the community but hadnât gone home. Did she disappear over here?
Anastasia was whisked away to Riverdaleâs old district. The houses here were run-down, nothing like the ones in the downtown. The majority of the residents were down on their luck, and the place. was chaotic. Those even poorer were living under bridges.
The rentals here were low-rise buildings, with three or four stories and lousy living conditions. The district was about to be demolished. Most of the tenants had moved out, leaving only a few.
In a third-floor rental, Anastasia was bound hand and foot, lying on a bed. As the drug wore off, she opened her eyes and saw clearly the mess she was in. She started struggling. Her mouth was taped shut, and she was unable to make a sound. Her limbs were tied, unable to break free.
Looking around, the rental was no more than 200 square feet and in total disarray, with empty beer bottles on the ground.
Anastasia could hear occasional voices from outside. Those were the voices of the neighbors. She tried to recall what happened before she was kidnapped but couldnât figure out who would want to do it. She hadnât crossed anyone.
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching. A shadow passed by the window, followed by the sound of the door opening.
Anastasiaâs heart was pounding as if it would jump out of her throat. She instinctively curled up in the corner of the bed, fear in her eyes.
The door creaked open from the outside.
Anastasiaâs pupils contracted as a man walked in with a beer in his hand. The man was dressed in black pants and a black leather jacket. When he took off his hat, Anastasia saw his face clearly and was dumbstruck. It was Harmon.
She never thought it would be Harmon. She hadnât wronged him.
âMmm mmm mmm.â Anastasia tried to speak, but with her mouth taped shut, she could only make muffled sounds.
Harmon just glanced at Anastasia. He put the beer on the table, poured himself a glass, and started snacking and drinking. Anastasia didnât know what Harmon was up to and didnât dare to provoke him. She stayed quiet in the corner of the bed.
Harmon took a sip of his beer and gave Anastasia a gloomy look, âWhen day breaks, Iâll take you to get our marriage certificate.â