Chapter 317
Flynn looked like heâd swallowed a fly. He stuttered, âAâ¦Ana, youâ¦youâ¦â
âWhatâs the matter, Flynn? Catching the stutter virus from Clyde?â Anastasia teased, Get your tongue straight.â
Flynn made up his mind and said, âYouâre cheating on my brother, making him a cuckold, this is⦠this is too much.â
âToo much what?â
A voice suddenly echoed from behind. Turning his head, Flynn saw Herman. He was both surprised and relieved, âOh, brother, itâs you! I thought she was cheating on you!â
Anastasia and Herman both rolled their eyes.
Herman slapped Flynn on the back of his head, âI think youâre itching for a trip to the Wild West.â
Anastasia picked up the breakfast, âIâm going next door to see my mom, you two brothers chat.â
Flynn waved her off, âTake care. Donât take my words to heart.â
Anastasia didnât respond. She didnât bear grudges with Flynn.
After Anastasia left, Herman sat down for breakfast, âWhatâs the situation now?â
Anastasia hadnât mentioned Ashleyâs scheme to Herman. Flynn blurted out everything in one go. âAnastasiaâs stepmother is pure venom. They hired someone to kidnap sister-in-law last night. And they even tried to extract her bone marrow for their own daughter. Itâs beyond outrageous. You must stand up for her.â
Hearing this, Herman felt a pang of guilt and distress. No wonder Anastasia had been startled last night when heâd snuck home. Herman asked gravely, âDid you get any evidence?â
âI even recorded a video.â Flynn pulled out his phone, played the video and showed it to Herman, âHD quality, irrefutable proof.â
Hearing Ashleyâs plot against Anastasia in the video, a sharp look flashed in Hermanâs eyes. He reflected, âYour sister-in-law might have other plans.â
Anastasia hadnât called the police and kept the evidence secret; she must have something up her sleeve.
Flynn asked, âSo what should we do next? Should we reveal our identity as the Salstrom family? I bet the Mortons would think twice before messing with her.â
âYou stay here and follow Anastasiaâs lead. Dailey is living next door; heâs responsible for her safety. I have an appointment with Christia from PowerSurge Inc. Iâll be going out for a while.â
Herman didnât take Flynnâs advice; Anastasiaâs opinion was primary in this matter.
Anastasia took the breakfast and went to the next room to see Salma. Seeing Salma busy applying makeup in front of the mirror, she was curious. Anastasia asked, âMom, do you have a date today?â
After so many years, it was rare for her to see her mother putting on makeup.
âYour father called me early in the morning to watch a movie.â Salma was full of energy, âAna, your mother was fooled so many times before. This time, I wonât be foolish. Tavon owes us, and I will make him pay.â
This was Queen Salmaâs moment.
Anastasia didnât try to stop her. She leaned on the bathroom door, âWhatâs your plan, mom?â
âYour dad thinks I know nothing. Letâs keep it that way.â Salma applied lipstick and asked, âAna, do you think this color suits me?â
Salma had never really taken care of her skin, so even though she used to be pretty, her skin had deteriorated, and makeup didnât have much of an effect. For years, Salma had been doing labor-intensive work, her body was overworked, and her figure had changed.
Anastasia felt sorry for her mother. She tried to recall a younger Salma from her memory, but it was blurred. To make Salma happy, Anastasia could only smile and say, âIt looks good. When my mom dresses up, sheâs definitely beautiful.â
Salma smiled, âThatâs good. Can you help me with my hair, Ana? Curl it a little, like big waves. That would look good.â
âSure.â
Anastasia used a curling iron to style Salmaâs hair. With a new outfit, Salma looked quite good.
Tavon had already called. Anastasia said, âMom, have some breakfast before you go.â
*From now on, let your father pay for these meals.â Salma had decided, after so many years of hardship, it was time for Tavon to pay up.
Anastasia couldnât help but laugh. She didnât tell Salma about the previous nightâs incident. She personally walked her mother out of the hotel.
1
Tavon was waiting at the hotel entrance, dressed in a suit, and driving a million-dollar Mercedes, looking like he was ready for a date. Anastasia stopped at the hotel entrance, ignoring Tavonâs attempt to greet her and walked back inside.
Tavon awkwardly pulled his hand back and smilingly opened the car door for Salma, Salma, Iâve already bought the movie tickets. It stars your favorite actor.â Salma got into the car, âI donât want to watch a movie anymore. The weather is getting chilly; letâs go shopping for some clothes.â
Tavon was taken aback. Salma had never asked him to buy anything before. Salma glanced at him, âWhatâs wrong? No time?â
âNo, not at all.â Tavon smiled, âItâs my fault for not considering it earlier. I should have taken you shopping for new clothes long ago. Letâs go, you can buy whatever you want today.â
Tavon was only being polite. He didnât expect Salma to really ask him to buy anything. However, Salma proved him wrong. She went on a full-blown shopping spree, piling up clothes to be packed. She also bought a lot of designer clothes for Anastasia.
Salma didnât know brands. She only picked the expensive ones. As long as it hurt Tavonâs pocket, it was fine. After buying clothes, Salma entered a jewelry store and picked a set of gold jewelry, a diamond ring, and a string of pearl.
Salma always double ordered when shopping; one for herself and one for Anastasia. Tavon, having no say in the matter, simply footed the bill.
As Tavon paraded through the city with Salma, flaunting their luxurious jewelry purchases, Ashley quickly received an anonymous tip-off. She too was a VIP customer of these jewelry stores and had her informants planted everywhere.
Upon learning that Tavon had bought Salma jewelry worth millions, Ashley was instantly incensed and called Tavon. Tavon didnât dare to answer, he simply muted his phone.
Salma noticed Tavonâs little charade but pretended not to. Then she casually mentioned, âTavon, I find the air in Willowbrook very pleasant, and itâs a great place to live. Where is that house you said you bought for Ana? I have some free time today, and it would be a good opportunity to go see it and buy some additional
furniture.â
Hearing this, Tavon was delighted, âSalma, are you and Ana planning to settle down in Willowbrook?â
âWeâre considering it.â Salma was now clever with her words, leaving Tavon hanging on her
every word.
At this, Tavon seized the opportunity to say, âSalma, if you and Ana really settle down in Willowbrook, Iâd be so happy. Ana is smart. I plan to let her help out in the
company.â
Salma feigned cooperation, âThat would be wonderful. Iâve also mentioned this to Ana. I hope we three can always be together.â
What Salma meant by âwe threeâ was a subtle hint for Tavon to divorce Ashley. Tavon wasnât foolish, he understood her implication but he couldnât respond to it. How could he possibly divorce Ashley? Ashleyâs family was a great help to his company, whereas Salma, frankly speaking, couldnât help him at all.
Tavon pretended not to understand and said, âSalma, my wish is the same as yours-a harmonious family. Shall we look at more jewelry and clothes?â
âLetâs keep shopping. I saw a furniture store over there. Letâs go directly.â Salma suggested, âIâll buy the furniture for Anaâs new house. She wonât be able to say anything then.â
âThatâs a good idea.â Tavon agreed, âLetâs go have a look.â
They went to the nearby furniture section. Salma only looked at the expensive items, dining tables for tens of thousands, beds for hundreds of thousands. Tavon watched from the side. Although it pained him to spend so much money, he couldnât let it show on his face.
It wasnât long before Salma spotted à familiar figure entering the store..
âSalma, youâve got some nerve, bringing my husband here to buy furniture. What are you trying to imply?â
Ashley had furiously arrived.
Salma had anticipated that Ashley would show up.
Looking at the fúrious Ashley, Salma feigned surprise. She glanced at Tavon and said, âIt was Tavon who brought me here. Donât you know that he bought a house for Ana? Weâre here to get furniture for Anaâs new place.â
Salmaâs words successfully added fuel to the fire, effectively deflecting Ashleyâs anger. Ashley immediately lashed out at Tavon, âWhat? Are you planning to have another family? That house was supposed to be for Sandy. How could you really give it to that brat? Youâre buying furniture and millions worth of jewelry, Tavon, is this how you treat me?â
Ashley got angry and started saying whatever was on her mind. Tavonâs face darkened, but he couldnât silence Ashley with his glare.
Ashleyâs outburst attracted the curious glances of both the furniture storeâs salesperson and the customers who were shopping for furniture.
Tavon could only try to calm her down, âGo home, why are you making a scene here?â