Chapter 34
“Are we this close? Cassie asked, puzzled.
Simon’s smile visibly froze on his face.
“Are you seriously saying you have a crush on me?” Cassie crossed her arms and took a step back, sizing Simon up. “If that’s the case, you might want to find someone else. You and my future husband don’t even match my standards. I’m not into the gentle like you. You are Julia’s style.”
Simon’s smile twisted into a more awkward grimace. “Cassie, you’ve misunderstood. I just think you’re really impressive for getting those grades, and I’d like to be friends.”
“I don’t make friends with my friend’s boyfriend. Cassie shrugged.
Simon immediately panicked, ready to explain himself when Louisa rushed up the stairs. “Ms. Murphy, you’re awake!”
Simon gritted his teeth, holding back the words he wanted to say
Cassie completely ignored him, smiling as she walked over to Louisa. “What do we have to eat?”
“It’s all your favorites!” Louisa shot a glance at Simon. “Mr. Lowell, what are you doing here? Ms. Cortez was just asking if I’d seen you. She’s probably worried about you leaving, so you should go over.”
“Got it.” With that, Louisa and Cassie headed off, leaving Simon standing there, trembling slightly.
Even though his family wasn’t as wealthy as Ca**c’s, he was still from a well-off family. He had never been so blatantly dismissed by a woman before.
He thought, ‘Cassie! I swear I’ll make you beg for me on your knees one day!”
As Louisa led Cassie down the stairs, she waited until Simon couldn’t hear before saying, “Ms. Murphy, you need to be careful with that pretty boy. I suspect he has some scandalous dealings with Ms. Cortez.”
“You can see that?” Cassie was taken aback.
“Of course! I’ve lived a full life and met all kinds of people.” Louisa paused for a moment, then widened her eyes and asked, “Wait, are you serious?”
Cassie nodded.
Louisa broke out in a cold sweat. “So he’s still after you?”
“Who knows?” Cassie shrugged. “Don’t worry, I’m not into that kind of soft-spoken guy
“Oh! That Marcus from last night. I thought he seemed great, tall, and really handsome!” Louisa suddenly mentioned
Marcus.
“Shh!” Cassie was Panicked. What if Grandpa heard? He would be furious,
Louisa understood but couldn’t help saying, “I think he’s really nice. He doesn’t seem as ruthless as people say.”
Cassie smiled but didn’t respond. As they entered the dining room, Cassie could hear Heston speaking. “You sent him to the police station? Are you sure he wasn’t swapped out?
“Absolutely, Larry answered.
“Hmph!” Heston grunted, crossing his arms with disdain. “At leas that kid knows to be afraid. If that fool teacher really disappeared, I would have a score to settle with him for surel
“The car is ready for you. Do you want to leave now?” Larry asked
As Cassie walked into the dining room, she asked, “Grandpa, are you heading to the company?”NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.
Heston looked up at Cassie and said, “There are some things I need to handle. You just stay home and don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back once I’m done.”
“Okay” Cassie nodded. She knew where Grandpa was headed. It was likely related to the bullying she had faced at school. before. She wasn’t worried about Heston doing anything rash, so she decided not to stop him. After all, this could serve as a lesson for those bullies!
Anne and Lucas had left earlier.
Once Heston left, Cassie sat alone in the living room to have her breakfast.
just a short while, everyone in the class group started to chat.
[Did you hear? Mr. Gaiman got arrested!]
[I heard he went out riding a motorcycle at night and got into a fight with someone! And apparently, it was a big deall
[I thought he was arrested for embezzling a huge amount of money?]
[Whatever the reason, it’s good to see this sc**mbag caught. My parents have to bribe him every year!]
[My uncle’s friend works at the police station. He said when Mr. Gaiman was brought in, he was a total mess, bleeding everywhere! It’s a miracle he’s even alive!]
Cassie sipped her congee while reading the messages. She remembered how Donald had looked when they dragged him our yesterday-his hands and feet were mostly intact, and he didn’t look like a complete wreck.
This must be thanks to Marcus. Cassie was surprised he hadn’t killed him. It seemed that he was indeed, as Louisa had said, not as brutal as the rumors suggested.
“Cassie, we need to talk.” Julia suddenly appeared in the dining room.
Cassie glanced at her, “Sure, what do you want to talk about?”
“What’s been going on with you? Why do you keep pushing me away?” Julia asked.
Cassie leaned back a little and calmly replied, “What do you mean by pushing you away? I just slipped up once. You do it all the time. Why can’t I?
Julia looked taken aback for a moment. “But I’m really just careless. You’re not! Julia said. “And why didn’t you defend me in front of Grandpa last night?”
Cassie said, “Didn’t you tell me not to say anything?” Cassie responded. “Before Grandpa called you out, you quietly said all that stuff was a joke. So what? You don’t want me to say anything but then you’re upset when I don’t speak up? What do you want me to do, tell Grandpa what you said?”
“Your Julia’s checks turned red with anger. “What did I ever do to you that you have to treat me like this? 1 know that you’re jealous of my relationship with Aunt Anne, aren’t you? You’re just trying to stir up trouble to push me away.”
Cassie smiled wryly. Julia, do you really think I would need to go through all this trouble to kick you out? If I wanted you gone, I could pull up just one of the countless things you’ve done to me as a reason. Don’t you realize that?”
Julia was taken aback may have been a bit naive before, but you can’t expect someone to stay foolish forever and let you walk all over them.” Cassie’s words were sharp and deliberate.
“Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me?” Julia tried to keep her anger in check.
“No.” Cassie shrugged slightly. “Maybe you should think about whether you have any misunderstandings about me.
Her words seemed to hint at something, Julia tensed up.
“Alright, let’s just stop arguing,” Julia conceded, her tone softening. The SATs are coming up. We should focus on our SATS and we can deal with this after they’re over.”
Cassie wore a completely indifferent expression.
Julia turned to leave but paused after a couple of steps. She turned back, her voice serious, “If Marcus said anything to you. As I said, you must trust me. Someone like him is only here to take advantage of people. Don’t expect him to be sincere! In the end, it’s all about the Murphy Group for him!” With that, Julia left.
Cassie traced her finger around the rim of her milk glass, pondering how many sneezes Marcus must have let out at home this morning.
Julia stormed out, and Simon’s expression was equally grim. They didn’t talk to each other.
As Julia headed to the garage, her eyes unexpectedly landed on Luc**that if Cassie didn’t have those two helpers around, it would be much easier for her to carry out her plans. Maybe it was also that warning and slap from the day before. Regardless, a terrifying thought surged through Julia’s mind. Let them die.
If Anne and Lucas were dead, Cassie would undoubtedly break down. Heston losing his only son would be devastated. It would be the perfect opportunity for her!
In mere moments of exchanged glances, Julia crafted a wicked scheme in her mind.
Meanwhile, far across the ocean, inside a lavish castle.
“When did Marcus become so handy?” A well-dressed lady asked sarcastically as she trimmed freshly picked roses.
“From my analysis, it seems it’s not just being helpful. Didn’t we hear a few days ago that Marcus was seen with a girl at Prestige Academy? The girl who got hurt last night, Cassie from the Murphy Group!”
“Is Marcus falling in love?” A tall, gangly boy with a rebellious air walked in.
“Kevin, you’re back.” the lady put down her shears. “How’s the project going?”
“Smooth sailing,” Kevin replied lazily. “When I step in, things get done. Keep going.”
The lady said, “Nothing else. Marcus is very cautious with his moves. There might be things we haven’t uncovered yet, but it’s clear that he feels differently about this girl, Cassie.”
“The Murphy Group?” The lady pondered aloud. “Wait, wasn’t Marcus interested in acquiring that company a few years ago? He pulled out right before finalizing it and ended up losing a ton of money?”
“Yes, that’s the one!” Kevin replied.
“Interesting.” A mischievous smile danced in Kevin’s eyes. “I used to think Marcus was like a robot. Who knew he could get swept off his feet by a woman? How fascinating!”
The lady glanced at her son, about to speak, but Kevin cut in, Tye handled everything here. Since I’m just sitting around doing nothing. I might as well go back and spend some time with Marcus. I want to see what kind of enchantress has captured Marcus’s heart.”
“Okay,” the lady picked up her shears again. “But I still don’t believe Marcus could fall for anyone. He’s cold as ice. If he’s interested, the Murphy Group clearly has some secrets”