The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1043

No mother wants her child getting caught up in romance too soon. The mere mention of it put Mrs. Li on high alert.

She stared in disbelief. “An illegitimate daughter from the Salstrom family? Who is that? Which Salstrom family are you even talking about?”

It never crossed Mrs. Li’s mind to connect this gossip to the Salstroms of Elysian Technologies. As far as she knew, there was no secret daughter in that family.

“It’s Herman’s girl, Paradise,” Juliana explained. “Xinru, you really need to watch your son. That girl… she’s got a reputation. She’s not someone you want Andrew around.”

“Paradise? How could she be Herman’s illegitimate child? Isn’t she his and Anastasia’s daughter? Herman said so himself at the last birthday party.” Mrs. Li frowned, thinking aloud. “And isn’t that girl mute? How could my son be writing love letters to her? How would they even know each other?”

Mrs. Li hadn’t paid any attention to Paradise and had no clue the girl could speak now.

“They’re classmates. You really didn’t know?” Juliana looked at her like she’d just missed the obvious. “Xinru, you’re being too trusting. Everyone knows how much Herman dotes on his wife, but Paradise isn’t really his. She’s Anastasia’s child with another man. Herman only claimed her for the family’s reputation. They got married in a hurry—I checked. No way they’d have a daughter that age.”

Layna jumped in, “Auntie, it’s true. Paradise is Ana’s illegitimate daughter. I heard Ana say it herself once.”

Layna made a point of calling her “Ana” to sound close, but every word was a lie, smearing Anastasia’s name and poisoning Mrs. Li’s first impression of Paradise.

Juliana kept going. “Just look at her—she’d barely transferred to Kingsley Elementary, and already Andrew’s chasing after her. That girl’s going to be trouble when she grows up. She used to be mute, but now she’s talking—who knows what problems she’ll have next? She’s young, but her mind’s already working overtime. Maybe she’s only after your family’s background, getting close to Andrew on purpose. And as for the Salstrom inheritance, that’ll go to the other two kids. Paradise won’t get a thing. But your Andrew? He’s an only child. Everything your family has will go to him. You can’t let Paradise get her claws in.”

Mrs. Li’s face went rigid. Early romance was already a problem—but with a scheming girl? Absolutely not.

Juliana grinned. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Meanwhile, Anastasia had no idea anyone was plotting against her daughter. After dropping Paradise off, she headed straight for the police station, waiting for Jason.

She lingered outside for a while until Jason finally showed up.

“Jason,” Anastasia called as she stepped from her car.

She didn’t want to go inside before he arrived—she was worried she might mess up whatever Herman had planned. Anastasia was only there to get a clearer idea of Rowan’s situation.