SWNOVELS Chapter 32
A sudden, piercing pain seared through Cassie’s chest. The mix of pain and anger in Heston’s eyes was a reflection of the day she had insisted on marrying Simon. For a fleeting moment, she was hurled back to that time.
“I’m sorry,” Cassie choked out, her voice thick with the threat of tears as she clasped Heston’s fragile hand firmly. “I promise, Grandpa, I won’t repeat my mistake. I realize now how wrong I was. I truly regret it?
Heston felt a p**ling in his eyes, the precursor to tears. He had never had a daughter, always being stern with his son. When Cassie came into the world, he was at a loss, unsure how to handle such a tiny, delicate infant.
Over time, he learned that girls needed to be pampered. If he gave her the best from the start, she wouldn’t be easily swayed when she grew up.
Heston kept that in mind, showering Cassie with all the world had to offer. When he heard she had been mistreated at school, it broke his heart. He felt he had failed to shield her adequately.
“Cassie, you’re the future heir to Murphy Group. You’re in a position of power. How could you let them treat you like that?” Heston’s voice was sharp with indignation.
“Dad, ease up. Let’s just hear Cassie out, Lucas interjected softly, offering a comforting pat on Heston’s shoulder. Heston subsided into silence.
Cassie pursed her lips. “I never really saw it as bullying. They all said it was just a prank, a joke among classmates.
“Who are these people?” Heston’s demand was sharp, his voice escalating as his anger became more tangible. “I need to their names, each and every one. I’m not planning on taking any drastic measures-I just want to return the favor with a little prank’ of my own.”
know
At the sound of his furious outburst, Julia shuddered, a slight tremor running through her entire body. Anne observed Julia’s reaction with a creased brow
“Grandpa, please don’t let this get to you. Mr. Gaiman may have overstated things. It wasn’t as bad as he made it out to be,” Julia said in a gentle tone, trying to defuse the situation.
Cassie, meanwhile, cast her eyes downward, a quiet reflection passing through her mind. It seems she’s already prepared to make the first move, even before I could bring her into the conversation.
Heston shifted his gaze to Julia. “So you’re one of those who think this is all just a harmless prank, are you?”
Julia’s face drained of color. “I’m not. Cassie, please tell Grandpa the truth. But instead of speaking up. Cassie remained
silent.
Julia gazed at Cassie, the final traces of color draining from her face. She hadn’t expected Cassie to remain utterly silent on the matter.
Heston’s anger was palpable as he spoke. “I won’t hold the exam issue against you. That was a pact you girls made, and I’ll honor it. It’s done. But this,” he gestured emphatically, “this bullying that’s been happening for years, that’s a different story She’s your cousin, and if you truly cared, you wouldn’t be sitting here silent, offering ds nothing.”
words.” After a brief pause, Heston continued, his voice heavy with disappointment, “You didn’t just stay silent-you told me Cassie was thriving at school. I trusted you, Julia. I never questioned your
“Grandpa, I was wrong!” Julia’s voice cracked as she suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud. “Cassie wouldn’t let me speak up, and I was terrified. I feared that if I upset her, Td be cast out. My parents are gone, I have no other family. If I were thrown out, I’d be lost. I’m petrified.”
Julia’s plea was heartrending, her pitiful appearance und sorrowful solas a plea that was difficult to ignore.
09:07 Thu, Sep 26 G
Chapter 32
“Just speak; don’t kneel, Lucas said, his voice firm yet gentle.
Heston’s face was still stern, but his heart softened, and he couldn’t bring himself to utter any harsher words.
“Write down the names of everyone who has bullied Cassie,” Heston instructed.
Tll do it right away, Julia responded without hesitation.
Tll go with you,” Anne offered.
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Julia looked at Anne, her eyes still filled with the lost and vulnerable look of a stray. “Stop crying.” Anne comforted her.
Julia managed a nod, her tears subsiding as she and Anne left the living room together.
“Grandpa, please don’t be angry. I promise it won’t happen again C**c said softly, her voice a whisper as she tried to ease Heston’s tension. “Lately, no one at school dares to bother me anymore.”
“That’s because Larry’s been your personal chauffeur, picking you up and dropping you off every day,” Lucas retorted sternly.
“I should have had Larry escort you to school sooner, Heston lamented, his regret clear in his voice.
“Larry has better things to do than chauffeur me around every day,” Cassie said, “Grandpa, you have to trust me. I’m tougher
now.”
In Heston’s eyes, Cassie had always been delicate, in need of protection, and now that perception was amplified. To him, she seemed all the more frail, innocent, and deserving of care.
ssie, I need to ask you something, Lucas said, moving to sit directly across from her, his expression grave. “Are there any other secret pacts between you and Julia that you haven’t told us about? You need to be completely honest with us.”
Heston’s eyebrows furrowed deeply. Indeed, this was a question that weighed heavily on his mind as well. Once, he had seen Julia as a model of good behavior and sound judgment. But now it appeared that he had not truly known the girl he had raised.
“It doesn’t seem like there’s anything else to add,” Cassie said, shaking her head. There were a few details about her situation that she chose not to mention things she felt were not worth bringing up.
The family’s attitude towards Julia had changed, becoming more cautious. The old days when a few tears from Julia could melt everyone’s hearts and earn forgiveness were gone.
“Julia should stay on at the estate for now,” Heston declared with a firm tone. This place isn’t vast, and I prefer the tranquility. With all the tutors coming and going, it’s become too noisy.”
“I understand,” Lucas responded.
“By the way, what’s the story with Marcus?” Heston changed the subject abruptly.
“Didn’t he say he was just passing by?” Cassie said nervously.
“That rascal. I’ve got a bad feeling about him.” Heston’s brow furrowed deeply. “As soon as Larry returns, have him find a trustworthy security team. We need to step up the patrols around here every night.”
Cassie was momentarily speechless. In her mind, she mused, “Marcus must have heard about the school bullying as well Lost in these thoughts, she was startled by Larry’s return, who she’d thought was still tasked with taking Donald to the police station.
“Larry, you’re back already?” Cassie inquired, her surprise evident in her tone.
“Mr. Anderson’s bodyguard was waiting at the door. He mentioned he was passing by and offered to take that guy to the police, Larry explained.
“See? Doesn’t that seem odd to you?” Heston remarked, skepticism lacing his words. “There was this story going around about how he freaked out when someone nicked their hand in his car, leaving a couple of bloodstains on the upholstery, and the next thing you know, he’s hacking the guy’s hand off. It’s hard to believe he’d toss Donald, all bloodied up, into his car. I’ve got a hunch about this. Donald was probably sent by Marcus setting the stage for his heroic rescue, right?”
“Dad. I seriously doubt Marcus would go to such lengths over something like this,” Lucas said.
“Let’s make a wager, Heston said earnestly. I bet Donald will vanish from the scene and never step foot in the police station. If that’s the case, it confirms this whole charade was orchestrated by Marcus. And if that’s true, he’ll have to answer to me.”
Cassie let out a soft sigh. It was clear how much animosity Heston held towards Marcus.
But Marcus wouldn’t have taken Donald without a compelling reason. It was likely that Donald wouldn’t be seen again anytime soon.
In the dim alleyway at night, Marcus walked out with an impassive expression, methodically wiping his hands.
Joe was standing by the car, waiting for him. The moment he spotted Marcus, he promptly opened the car door with a respectful nod.
Marcus slid into the car and instructed, ‘Find everyone in the recordings, one by one.” He lowered his head and sent a voice note to Joc.
“Yes, sir, Joe responded immediately.
“Have the stuff in the trunk sent to the police station, Marcus said, a chilling glint in his eyes. “Lay out all his secrets so he can spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
“Is he still breathing?” Joe asked, surprised.
Just moments before, when Marcus had hauled Donald away, his rage had been so intense it seemed capable of incinerating everything in its path. Joe had half-expected Donald wouldn’t make it.
“Ms. Murphy wants him taken to the police station,” Marcus said, his voice icy as he shut the car door.
Even in his blind fury, Marcus wouldn’t defy her wishes. It was the last shred of sanity holding him back amidst the storm of his anger.
Joe signaled for his crew to follow him into the alley. Before they even got close, the metallic scent of blood hit them. Marcus had been on the edge of death more times than he could count since he was a kid, always managing to pull through. Without any medical training, he still knew that some injuries might be agonizing but not lethal.
Donald was in terrible shape; his limbs were twisted and broken, and his face was unrecognizable. He lay on the ground, struggling to catch his breath.
Joe cast a quick look over the scene, flicking away his irritation as he gestured with his hand. “Handle him with care. Don’t mess with anything vital, or you might finish him off. Mr. Anderson wants him breathing. Make sure you keep that in mind. Clear?
“Crystal,” came the response.
In the room, Julia’s tears fell as she hastily jotted down names. “Anne, I swear I didn’t do what Grandpa’accused me of She was pouring her heart out to Anne. “I don’t understand what’s happeried to Cassie. It’s like she’s become someone else entirely. She knew what I was trying to say, but she wouldn’t back me up just now.”
Anne glanced up at her. “So what?”
Julia had never seen Anne’s face so devoid of color before. She thought perhaps Anne had also noticed Cassie’s odd
-behavior.
“Do you know what her silence reminded me of?” Julia clutched her chest, her tears flowing more freely than ever. “I remembered what that guy told me before. He said Cassie actually despises me…
Anne took a deep breath.
“Anne, do you think Cassie really- Before Julia could finish, Anne slapped her hard across the face. Julia’s ears rang, and for a moment, she was too shocked to cry. She held her check, utterly bewildered.