The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

When Sean heard that Herman was trapped under the landslide, he was stunned. "Herman's there too? Sis, this is dangerous. We need to get out of here now."

"Hold on, this is our golden ticket," Sandy said, calculating her next move. "If Herman's in trouble and we stick around to help, he'll owe us big time. And if he doesn't make it, we can confirm it ourselves. Without Herman, Elysian Technologies would crumble like a house of cards."

The real kicker was that without Herman, Anastasia would lose her main support. Sandy was itching to see how Anastasia would keep her coveted status as Mrs. Salstrom.

Once Sandy decided on something, there was no changing her mind, so Sean reluctantly stayed with her.

Rescue teams came in waves, along with a crowd of volunteers and local villagers, all pitching in to help.

Sandy joined the volunteer crew, supposedly to lend a hand, but she was really there to put on a show. As she pretended to search for the missing, a professional photographer was busy snapping pictures of her.

Of course, it was all staged. Sandy wasn't going to do any real heavy lifting. In front of the camera, she wore a mask of deep concern, perfectly playing the part of a compassionate do-gooder.

The rescue teams were hard at work-they'd just pulled a car from the mudslide and were extracting a trapped driver.

Sandy sauntered over and signaled the photographer to follow, making sure the camera captured her with the driver.

Feigning anxiety, Sandy leaned over the stretcher and asked the rescue team, "How many people have you found so far? What's happening inside?"

One of the rescuers had enough of her act. He shouted, "Stop getting in the way! You influencers just make things harder for us. Clear out before the next mudslide hits. We can't spare anyone to save you-risking lives for showbiz, have you no shame?" Sandy's face flushed with embarrassment, but she quickly instructed the photographer, "Cut that part out."

"Got it, Sandy."

Sandy was unfazed. She wasn't about to leave over a bit of criticism. She told the photographer to be more discreet and continued her charade, posing for plenty of photos she planned to use for a video to boost her follower count.

The sky quickly darkened, even though it was just past three in the afternoon. Heavy clouds gathered, and a storm was brewing.

Another victim was brought out by the rescue team. Sandy recognized him-it was Herman's assistant, Nelson. He was unconscious, with multiple fractures.

Sandy asked the rescue team, "Which car did you pull him from? Are there others inside?"

Finding Nelson meant Herman might be among the victims too.

But no one paid her any attention. Everyone was busy.

Sandy ventured closer to the collapsed tunnel. Sean noticed and rushed over. "Sis, you can't go any further. The mudslide could hit any minute."

"I saw Nelson earlier. Herman must still be in there. This is our chance."

Sandy was someone who never passed up an opportunity, and she knew how crucial this one was.

She pressed forward, and Sean, concerned, followed her.

After hours of rescue efforts, a significant portion of the debris had been cleared, and a small opening was made at the tunnel's entrance, just big enough for one person to crawl through.

As Sandy watched the rescue teams and volunteers carry out one victim after another, her eyes scanned them intently.

Luck was on Sandy's side. Among the casualties, she spotted Herman.

Herman was unconscious, blood covering his head, as the rescue team carried him out of the tunnel.

"Quick, I see Herman!" Sandy shouted, hurrying to follow the team.

There weren't enough ambulances, so any available car was being used to transport victims to the hospital.

The rescue team, needing to return quickly to the tunnel, accepted Sandy's offer when she said, "I've got a car-let me take him to the hospital."

With another mudslide looming, the rescue team didn't hesitate and handed Herman over to Sandy.