The Bound Between Us

Chapter 180 Anastasia looked at Pattie, feeling all kinds of upset inside.

“Pattie, I've got you some snacks. Take them, but make sure your mom doesn't see, okay? Anastasia handed over the snacks and added. “If you get hungry, eat some. If you run into any trouble, remember you can come to my place. Building 3, Unit 1, room 802, got it?” Pattie, clutching the snacks, stared wide-eyed at Anastasia and gave a little nod.

Anastasia couldn't be sure if Pattie really understood her, or if she was just nodding absent-mindedly. Seeing the still healing scars on Pattie’s exposed ankle, Anastasia felt a pang of sadness. She really wanted to take Pattie away.

If Pattie stayed in this household, her future would definitely be ruined.

Penny's voice drifted out from inside the house. “Damn kid, who's at the door? Where the hell did you run off to? Aren't you

supposed to be looking after your little brother?” Pattie quickly shut the door and went back to take care of her little brother, hiding the snacks Penny was busy playing poker, not bothering to care for Pattie and her son. She only glanced casually at the living room to check that the kids were there, then went back to her game.

Pattie amused the little boy with a toy, and his giggles made her laugh along. Only when she was with her little brother could she get a moment's rest. But if her little brother started crying, she'd get a beating Pattie remembered her dad saying they were a family and that her mom just had a bad temper. So even though she really wanted to go back to Anastasia, she didn’t dare.

This was her home, not Anastasia’s. Plus, she overheard part of a conversation between Salma and Anastasia in the kitchen last time. If Anastasia adopted her, it would only bring her trouble and add to her burdens. Pattie, being considerate, didn't want to be a burden to her.

After seeing Pattie, Anastasia was pretty down. Back at her office, she called Herman and told him about Pattie’s situation.

“I think we need to find a way to get Pattie into school. If Pattie could go to school, Penny wouldn't have a chance to hurt her.

Herman was also concerned about Pattie and said, “| have ‘someone check out the local kindergartens to see if we can sort out Pattie’s schooling” ‘Good, if Penny refuses to pay the tuition, we can cover it,” Anastasia said. “| won't feel at ease until Pattie is settled” Herman felt the same way Pattie’s situation was like a thom, pricking them from time to time, causing worry.

“Don’t worry, I'l take care of this.” After hanging up, Herman asked Nelson to handle Pattie’s school enrolment. “Go to Wonderland Kindergarten across from Harmony Meadows and sort out Pattie’s enrollment. Tell the principal to inform Pattie’s parents that the tuition is waived,” “Sure, Mr. Salstrom, I'll go right away.”

Herman added, “If Penny and her husband refuse to send Pattie to school, get the police involved.” “I understand.” Dealing with the likes of Penny, police intervention was necessary.

After the call, Anastasia felt a little better. She started working.

Victor sent Amy to assist her, but given her sudden promotion to chief, not everyone was happy No one took her seriously, and her subordinates just went through the motions, showing a lack of enthusiasm. If her team didn’t cooperate, Anastasia couldn't get anything done. Even the most outstanding leader needed cooperation and execution from their team. Anastasia knew this wasn't something she could rush or handle too harshly, or else it would just cause more resentment

The following week, Anastasia was under immense pressure, having to handle almost everything in the design department as the chief designer.

Even with Lauren and Amy's help, it wasn’t enough. There was a limit to what one person could do.

Fortunately, Anastasia’s design skills wore excellent. Despite her team’s lackluster effort, she was still able to satisfy clients with her designs. In order to get the job done, she just had to put in some extra effort.

Being able to do what she loved, Anastasia felt exhilarated, as if she had boundless energy.

With Herman sorting out Pattie’s school situation, she felt even lighter. The difficulties posed by her team were no big deal to her

In fact, her colleagues were just trying to make a point, to show Anastasia that being the chief wasn’t an easy ride.

One day, Amy came to Anastasia saying, “Director Jewell, the manufacturing technique Mrs. Manning wants for her crown’ isn’t something our company can do. It's a very traditional method used by the royal craftsmen for queens’ crowns in the past.

Anastasia asked, “Is there anyone else who can do it?” Amy thought for a moment and said, “There's a designer who was pushed out of our company by Selena. Word is she’s left the industry.” Anastasia said, “Then I'll go see her myself. Do you have her address?” Amy replied, “A friend mentioned the other day that she’s been vacationing at Cloud Mountain.” Anastasia repeated, “Cloud Mountain. Okay, I'll go see her now.”

Anastasia headed to the underground parking garage, towards her car, and called Herman to tell him she'd be home late as she needed to make a trip to Cloud Mountain.

After hanging up, Anastasia looked up and thought she saw a figure moving off to the side. She didn’t think twice, opened the car door, and hopped in, firing up the engine and heading towards Cloud Mountain.

Just as her car pulled away, a figure emerged from behind a nearby pole, his dark eyes tracking the direction in which Anastasia’s car had disappeared.