Chapter 283


    This was as awkward as it got.


    Anastasia hurriedly wriggled out of Herman’s arms in embarrassment, while Gianna turned away


    bashfully. “We’re out of tissues in the room, I’ll go grab some,” Gianna mumbled, avoiding the pair’s


    gaze.


    Anastasia quickly offered, “There are tissues on the coffee table, I can get them for you.”


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    “I got it.” Gianna grabbed the tissues and made a beeline for the bedroom, not wanting to disturb them


    any further.


    Once Gianna had disappeared into the guest bedroom, Herman turned to Anastasia. Why is your


    cousin here?”


    Getting some alone time was proving to be a real mission. The three-bedroom apartment was just too


    cramped. Herman wished he could whisk Anastasia off to his mansion right away. He hadn’t lived in


    Salstrom Manor before marrying Anastasia, preferring his own vi where he lived solo. He’d recently


    had it renovated. It would be ready by the beginning of next month, just in time for hispany’s


    anniversary celebration. Then he coulde clean to Anastasia and bring her to their real home.


    “Hush!” Anastasia put a finger to her lips and beckoned Herman back to their room. “Joey’s family has


    been giving my cousin a tough time tonight.”


    Anastasia filled him in on the situation. Herman asked, “Did you get hurt?”


    His main concern was always Anastasia: He didn’t really care about anyone else. In a full-blown family


    brawl, Anastasia could easily have been hurt trying to break


    it up.


    Touched, Anastasia reassured him, “just bumped my waist, I’m fine.”


    “Let me see.” Herman was already lifting up Anastasia’s shirt before she could object. “Is it the left or


    the right?”


    “The left,” Anastasia answered obediently.


    Herman spotted a red mark on her left waist and immediately frowned. “Lie down.”


    Anastasia blushed, “Herman,e on.” She thought he was making a move on her.


    Seeing through her, Herman teased, “Honey, I just meant you should lie down for me to apply some


    ointment. What were you thinking?”


    Embarrassed, Anastasia turned away and retorted, “I didn’t think anything.”


    “You women always say one thing and mean another,” Herman chuckled. “I’ll go get the ointment.”


    As Herman left to fetch the ointment, Anastasia sat on the edge of the bed, feeling all warm and fuzzy


    inside. Herman always fussed over her, even for the smallest cuts and scrapes. Sometimes, she


    thought he was overreacting, but his caring nature warmed her heart.


    The people who loved you would feel for you even when you merely furrowed your brows. Those who


    didn’t, wouldn’t even notice if you were dead.


    When Herman came back with the ointment, he locked the bedroom door. “Why are you locking the


    door?” Anastasia asked.


    “To avoid any more embarrassment, Herman replied, gesturing for her to lie down. I’ll rub the ointment


    for you.”


    The previous incident was indeed a bit embarrassing.


    Anastasia obedientlyy down. Herman gently lifted her shirt, warmed the ointment in his palm, and


    then applied it to her waist.


    “Are you sure this is the right way to apply the ointment?” Anastasia asked in confusion.


    Herman exined, “Warming it up in my hand helps open your pores, which allows the ointment to be


    absorbed faster and work better.”


    That makes sense,” Anastasia mused, resting her chin on her arms. “By the way, dear, do you have


    any clever ideas to deal with the Joey and Gianna situation?”


    Herman typically didn’t interfere in others’ affairs unless Anastasia asked for his help. “First, can you


    give me a brief rundown of their rtionship and the current


    situation?” he asked.


    “Joey is the head of a hospital. He was recently promoted after a temporary suspension due to an


    extramarital affair. He’s back at work now. Gianna has been a full-time housewife for eight years. They


    don’t have kids. Gianna wants a divorce, but Joey wants to get thepensation apartments from


    Gianna’s family in the


    divorce settlement.”


    After Anastasia’s detailed exnation, Herman continued to massage the ointment into her waist.


    Having understood the basics of their divorce situation, Herman said, “Gianna doesn’t necessarily have


    to y hardball in this divorce. Maybe if she changes her approach, she could find a better solution.”


    Hearing this, Anastasia perked up and asked, “Do you have any bright ideas?”