Easton seemed completely oblivious to the pain in his body, his cold gaze fixed on Ryder.
Ryder had taken several punches to the face, unable to dodge in time, and the pain left him speechless.
"Easton, Ryder, our father just passed away. Do you really have to start fighting now?" Declan's voice cut through the tension.
Easton suddenly laughed, running a bloodied hand through his hair and turning to Declan with a cold sneer. "As if family infighting is anything new."
Declan's face fell, and Easton scoffed before storming out, ignoring everyone.
Upstairs, Owen had witnessed everything. He knew about the relationship between Easton and Cassidy and understood why Easton was so angry and despondent.
All three men downstairs were his brothers, and he didn't want to see them tearing each other apart. Yet, he still believed that Cassidy leaving the Cooper family was the best decision.
Cassidy would finally be able to live the life she wanted away from the Cooper family.
Following Owen's plan, Cassidy had escaped to a remote town. Free from the Cooper family, she felt the joy of freedom for the first time.
To ensure her life after leaving the Cooper family, Cassidy had done a lot of research. She was confident that the town she chose would be her favorite place.
If possible, she wanted to live there forever and never see Easton again.
Cassidy had no idea how Easton would react to her escape, but she could guess.
He might feel betrayed and angry, but with his status and power, he could have any woman he wanted.
Maybe after a few days of sadness, Easton would realize she wasn't that important and might even think Zoe was a better match for him.
For some reason, the thought of Easton liking Zoe made Cassidy uncomfortable. Was it because she had been so close to Easton recently that she couldn't accept seeing him with another girl?
Cassidy shook her head and slapped her cheeks lightly. "It's all in the past. Now I need to start my new life!"
She was determined to begin a life without the Cooper family and without Easton.
Cassidy's plan was to open a small bar in the town, and she had made many preparations for it. After finding a place to live, she quickly secured a location for her bar.
"Good thing I learned some business strategies from Ashton." She felt a bit relieved.
Although Ashton had told her she didn't need to learn those things, Cassidy insisted, believing she would need that knowledge someday.
Looking at her plans, Cassidy was so excited she couldn't sleep, her mind filled with visions of her bar's grand opening.
"Most of the preliminary work is done. Now I need to find a singer for the bar!"
Just selling drinks would make the bar too ordinary and boring, like any other bar. Cassidy wanted her bar to be filled with joy and happiness every day, and she wanted every customer to feel the same.
She hoped that people who came to her bar would experience emotions they couldn't find in other bars.
She had done her research and found that other bars in this town attracted customers with high-quality drinks. Ashton's inheritance had provided Cassidy with the means to buy top-notch liquor.
So, she needed a performer who could energize the bar's patrons. If people could feel joy and even happiness in her bar, it would surely attract many customers!
With her plan in mind, Cassidy began wandering around the town, hoping to find someone who could help her.
The town was full of street artists, each one a unique sight that drew attention. Cassidy found a lot of joy in watching these artists.
There were many street singers, but after a whole day of searching, Cassidy still hadn't found one that satisfied her. They were all talented, but none of their voices resonated with her.
She needed a singer who could move people's emotions, not just mimic the original artist's voice and feelings.
Cassidy wandered the streets for a long time but couldn't find the right partner. As the sky darkened, she felt disappointed and decided to head home.
"Hopefully, I'll find the perfect partner tomorrow!" Cassidy encouraged herself, putting on a smile as she walked home.
But she hadn't gone far when she heard a beautiful voice. The pure, melodious singing captivated her, each note striking a chord in her heart.
The high notes were powerful yet smooth, as if they could pierce the sky and touch the soul. The low notes were rich and warm, carrying a gentle strength that was mesmerizing.
The singer's voice was magnetic and full of emotion, perfectly conveying both joyful melodies and heartfelt ballads. It felt like a personal connection between the singer and the listener.
Cassidy almost screamed in admiration. This was the voice she had been searching for! This was the singer she needed!
Following the sound, Cassidy found the person holding the microphone on the street. He was lost in the emotion of the song, exuding an irresistible charm that made it impossible to look away.
Cassidy's excitement grew. This singer's talent and appearance were exactly what she wanted for her bar!
Gradually, a crowd gathered around the singer. Cassidy overheard some girls talking about him.
"He's so handsome! Even though I see him every day, I can't help but marvel at how good-looking he is!"
"And his voice is amazing! It's completely different from the original artist's!"
"Too bad he sings in different places every day. It takes forever to find him."
As time passed, more and more people gathered, and it was clear that this street singer was quite popular in the town. Many residents loved his voice.
If Cassidy could get this street singer to join her bar, she was sure it would become the most popular bar in town!
Determined to convince the singer to join her bar, Cassidy stayed until he finished his set. As the night grew late, most of the audience left, and the street became quieter, leaving only Cassidy and the singer.
When he finished the last song, the singer looked at Cassidy with curiosity, wondering why someone would stay so late.