Chapter 16
+8 Pearls
Adrian paced outside, frustration gnawing at him. He had spent the entire afternoon trying to secure a loan, but all he managed to gather was a fraction of what was needed nowhere near the exorbitant amount required for the engagement and wedding expenses.
Logically, borrowing wouldn’t have been a problem. He had just returned from a major educational achivement, his reputation soaring, and there were plenty of people in high places eager to stay on his good side. If he reached out, he could easily secure a significant sum.
But his pride wouldn’t allow it. Asking for money from wealthy associates felt humiliating. The idea of owing favors made his stomach turn.
As he mulled over his options, one thought came to mind Cassandra. Borrowing from her might be less damaging to his ego than going to others. She had always been supportive, after all.
Just as he was making his way back home, he spotted his younger brother, Fredrick, driving towards him.
Before Adrian could say a word, Fredrick blurted out, “Adrian, you need to get home now! Cassandra is pushing Mom to the brink!”
Adrian let out a weary sigh. “What has she done this time?”
“She told Nathaniel not to treat Mom anymore!” Fredrick exclaimed, his expression tense.
Adrian frowned but remained calm. “There are other doctors in the city. If Nathaniel won’t come, we’ll find another physician. If necessary, I’ll request the doctors from the medical association myself. It’s not that serious.”
To him, this was just another one of Cassandra’s manipulations. She had always been calculating, always looking for ways to gain control. This was no different. Her interference with his mother’s health was just another underhanded attempt to pressure him.
Not like Vivian. Vivian would never resort to such tactics. She was direct, honest nothing like Cassandra.
Fredrick’s frustration grew. “You don’t get it. Mom fell ill not long after you left for your assignment. Cassandra did everything she could she brought in some of the best doctors, even called for the Top physicians. But none of them could help her. Instead, her condition worsened. It was only when she managed to get Nathaniel that things turned around. He prescribed rare and expensive medication that actually worked. Mom’s been relying on it ever since.”
Adrian’s expression darkened. “She’s using Mom’s health to manipulate me.”
Fredrick nodded, his voice laced with urgency. “Exactly. She already tried going to the President to have your engagement annulled. When that failed, she turned to this using Mom’s life as leverage to force you to abandon your marriage to Vivian. That woman is dangerous, Adrian.”
Adrian rode back home in a fury, his grip tightening on the reins as he made his way straight to Grace Mansion. His mind raced with anger, frustration boiling over as he thought about Cassandra’s audacity.
As a man who had fought battles and overtaken companies, no door could keep him out. He pushed open the grand double doors and stormed in, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto his wife. She sat calmly at the dining table, sipping on a bowl of watercress soup, seemingly unbothered by the storm that had just walked in.
Without hesitation, Adrian swept the porcelain bowl off the table, sending it crashing onto the floor. The sound echoed through the room, but Cassandra barely flinched.
“Cassandra!” he growled, his voice thick with rage. “When will you stop this? How far are you planning to take things? How long are you going to keep this up?!”
Cassandra glanced at the mess on the floor, more annoyed by the wasted effort of her maid, Anna, than by Adrian’s outburst.
“Anna, clean this up,” she said calmly. “I need to speak with the President alone.”
Anna hesitated but quickly obeyed, gathering the broken porcelain before quietly leaving the room.
172
12:38 PM
Chapter 16
Cassandra then turned her attention back to Adrian, her expression composed. “Is this about Nathaniel?”
“You still have the nerve to ask?!” he spat, his jaw clenched.
+8 Pearls
She smiled, her beauty so effortless yet cutting. “Why wouldn’t I? Instead of blaming me, maybe you should ask yourself why Nathaniel refuses to treat your mother. Have you considered that?”
Adrian’s glare darkened. “Stop pretending. You had something to do with this. You’re using this as leverage to stop me from marrying Vivian. You’re manipulative and despicable.” He took a step closer, voice cold as ice. “Let me tell you something, Cassandra. Even if I don’t marry Vivian, I will never love you. You disgust me.”
Cassandra arched a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Is that so?”
“If I had known you were this conniving, I never would have enagged you. I regret it deeply. I must have been blind,”
“Then why don’t you leave me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, her voice as smooth as silk.
Adrian hesitated, caught off guard by her calm response. “What?”
She stood gracefully, stepping closer, her presence overwhelming. “You claim to hate me, so why not leave me? If Vivian is the one you truly want, I’m nothing but an inconvenience. If I disgust you so much, why not set me free?”
Adrian remained silent, his jaw tightening. Leave her? No. That wasn’t an option.
Cassandra’s lips curled into a knowing smirk as she studied him. “Oh, I see. You can’t, can you?” She moved even closer, her voice dropping to a whisper laced with mockery. “Is it because you don’t have a good enough reason? I can give you plenty. I’m jealous. I’m disobedient. I argue with your family. Any of those would suffice.”
She held his gaze, daring him to say the words. But he didn’t.
And that silence told her everything she needed to know.
Send Gifts
。
