The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 953

Because Layna was just a kid, Herman decided to let the Stranz family handle things.

Of course, that also meant putting the Stranzes right on the spot.

If Scott couldn’t come up with a solution that satisfied the Salstroms, the Salstrom family would only have more reason to take matters into their own hands.

Scott was stuck. Honestly, he would’ve preferred if Herman just sorted it out himself—he’d have gone along with anything, as long as it wasn’t too much.

But the Salstroms, acting generous on the surface, were really just turning up the pressure.

Guests started gathering, drawn by the commotion. Even Jonah showed up, hanging back at the edge of the crowd. Justin was with him, wanting to step in, but Jonah caught his arm and held him back.

This was a Stranz-Salstrom issue, all because some kids got into a fight. The Wisman family wasn’t about to wade into that mess.

It was clear Herman wanted the Stranz family to explain themselves. Even though the Wismans and Stranzes had been close for years, this time, they had to stay on the sidelines.

The tension in the room was thick, the mood icy, and no one looked happy.

Scott took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Mr. Salstrom, I really am sorry. Layna’s had it rough—she lost her parents young and only recently came back to us. We haven’t done a great job raising her yet, so this is on us.”

His face darkened as he turned to Layna. “Layna, apologize to Paradise. Right now. If you don’t, you can go back to where you came from. If I can’t teach you, someone else will.”

The threat of being sent back to the orphanage, back to Mr. Duncan and the hard life she’d left behind, made Layna panic.

She didn’t want to go back to being poor. She was supposed to be a Stranz now, living like a princess, not scavenging for leftovers.

Juliana, seeing how serious things had gotten, didn’t dare say a word.

Layna shuffled over to Pattie, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, Paradise,” she sobbed. “I shouldn’t have ruined your painting.”

“Layna! Layna!” Juliana called, hurrying after her.

And just like that, Scott was left holding the bag.

He looked exhausted and embarrassed, sighing before turning to Herman. “Mr. Salstrom, I’m truly sorry. Layna’s just too much to handle. Tomorrow, I’ll send her to St. Winfred’s Academy. The teachers there will straighten her out. As for the broken gifts, I’ll pay for everything.”

St. Winfred’s was infamous—a strict, almost military boarding school parents threatened their troublemakers with.

Kids dreaded ending up there.

That was the best Scott could offer.

He turned to Pattie, his tone gentler. “Paradise, I’m so sorry. It’s your birthday—you deserve better. Happy birthday, sweetheart. I’ll grant you three wishes—anything you want, just name it. That’s a promise, for life.”