The Bound Between Us

Chapter 499

Herman turned around, his gaze cool and detached as he looked at Gianna standing just outside his yard.

He was growing tired of Gianna's uninvited appearances. Over the past few months, this wasn't the first time she had shown up unannounced.

Now that he and Anastasia were divorced, Gianna's constant presence was a clear giveaway. Unless she was completely clueless, it was obvious what she wanted-the affections of a man.

Standing on his porch steps, Herman showed no intention of opening the gate.

Gianna forced a smile. "Mr. Salstrom, I was just visiting a friend nearby and saw you come home. Late shift today, huh?"

Herman couldn't care less about her excuses for hanging around. With a tone that was neither warm nor cold, he said, "Miss Yang, maybe you should save yourself the trouble. There's something to be said for knowing your limits." With that, he opened the door and stepped inside without another word, his demeanor towards Gianna icy as ever.

Gianna's face fell as she stood there, thankful no one else was around to see her humiliation.

orchestrate 'chance' encounters with Herman, hoping to get closer to him. But Herman had become elusive, and even when she managed to run into him, starting a conversation was impossible. This time, her desperation had driven

had spoken to her, but his brief words cut through her facade like a knife,

her

seemed, was over before it

blunt reminder of "knowing your limits" hurt more than a slap

from his once tender self. Returning home defeated, Gianna was greeted by Cynthia's relentless nagging, sharp as ever: "Did

"Hiding in your

of something smashing from

heard about this, wouldn't they laugh at us?" Cynthia rolled her eyes. "Laugh at what? You know how many

communicate with Cynthia, said irritably, "Do whatever you want; I'm off

by Gianna, Cynthia

a handkerchief Herman once gave her, a token that led her to believe he harbored some affection for her. The reality of his disdain was a bitter pill to swallow. With anger and heartache, she snipped the handkerchief with scissors, then immediately regretted it. Picking up the pieces, she