Chapter 140 Suspected of Trafficking Women
Rachel felt an inexplicable chill down her spine, but thinking of Gloria's information, excitement surged back. "We found Cassidy."
Anthony's pen pressed down so hard it nearly punctured the paper. His eyes went dark as he looked at Rachel. "Where?"
"Sunrise Road, Apartment Glory, seventeenth floor, unit three," Rachel rushed to say. "Gloria just called to tell me. She said Cassidy's been living with Sawyer this whole time. That apartment is Sawyer's private property."
"Gloria?" Anthony's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "I thought she hated you. Why would she voluntarily tell you this?"
Rachel considered. "Maybe she still wants to fix things with Sawyer? If Cassidy's around him, she's in Gloria's way."
Anthony looked at her. "Not bad. You're not completely stupid."
After a pause, he added, "I'm aware now. You can go."
Rachel froze. "You're not going to drag that woman back right now? She's way worse than Arabella ever was! At least Arabella never dared jump to someone else before the divorce, but Cassidy—"
Anthony cut her off, his tone carrying a warning edge. "I said get out."
Rachel's body went rigid. She nodded fearfully and left.
The moment the study door closed, Anthony lost control. He hurled his pen violently at the wall.
His expression turned savage as he braced both hands on the desk, grinding out through clenched teeth, "I'm not even dead yet and she dares shack up with another man?"
"Bitch! How did I not see what a slut you were?"
"Think hooking up with the Tucker family means I can't touch you? The Tuckers might be powerful, but they won't risk a scandal over some married woman!"
A cruel smile twisted Anthony's lips. "Just wait, Cassie. I'm coming to bring you home. A family should stay together, after all."
At Sawyer's apartment, after their awkward afternoon, Cassidy had painstakingly cooked several dishes for dinner.
Sawyer took a phone call and looked at her apologetically. "Cassie, something came up at the company. I need to head over right away. I'm sorry... all your effort is going to waste."
Cassidy's stomach dropped uncomfortably. Before, no matter what came up, he'd always put her first. But now some company business could pull him away...
She bit her lip gently, eyes flooding with reluctance as her voice dropped low. "That's... fine. Go handle your work, Sawyer. I wish you... I wish your career and family... I wish everything goes well for you."
By the end, her voice caught with tears. Her eyes reddened, but she forced herself to smile at him casually.
Sawyer immediately caught the strangeness, especially in her words. His chest tightened with alarm. "Cassie, why are you talking like that? Are you... are you planning to leave?"
Tears spilled down Cassidy's cheeks without warning. She shook her head gently, fighting back sobs with a bitter smile. "I've been imposing on you long enough. What are we even doing? Before, I was selfish—greedy for the warmth you gave me, unwilling to leave. But when Ms. Reeves came today, it suddenly hit me. I can't keep holding you back. You're a good man. With me around, you'll never be able to accept another woman freely. Sawyer, I'm grateful for everything you've done, and I... I just want you to be happy."
Sawyer's eyes shook with emotion, reddening as he pulled her into his arms. "Cassie, I'm not afraid of you holding me back. I just want to take care of you. You letting me do that—you have no idea how happy it makes me."
His voice broke with genuine feeling. Cassidy's heart finally felt a flicker of satisfaction. She still had it. She was still as captivating as before.
Sawyer still loved her.
She looked up at him with moving emotion, tears falling like pearls as her hand gently clutched his shirt. As if making a final decision, she said, "Sawyer, if you're willing, I want to be with you. I like you. I want... I want to become your wife."
Sawyer's body went rigid. He looked at Cassidy with boundless affection in his eyes, his lips moving, but no response came.
He only managed a conflicted, "Cassie..."
Cassidy's heart plummeted with a terrible premonition.
She'd been playing hard to get with Sawyer for days, but he never gave her a definite answer. Today, after seeing Gloria, she couldn't hold back anymore. She was terrified someone else would steal him away.
This man was her only card left to play. She had to hold on tight and never let another woman slip in.
That's why she'd cooked personally today and dressed up carefully—to force the issue and make him respond. She'd expected him to be overjoyed. But this reaction...
Had he stopped loving her? But if he didn't love her, why was he looking at her with such pain?
Cassidy bit down hard, then decisively pushed him away, stepping back with a tragic smile. "Sawyer, you don't need to say anything. I understand. I had inappropriate feelings. I'm sorry. I won't force you or make things difficult. I'll leave right now."
She turned to pack her things.
Sawyer grabbed her hand, agony written across his face. "Cassie, don't go. I can't bear to lose you..."
Cassidy's whole body trembled. After a long moment, she turned to look at him, voice thick with bitterness. "Sawyer, what exactly do you want? You know how I feel about you... I thought you felt the same... but if you don't like me, why won't you let me go?"
She forced back tears, looking away. "I'm not someone who can't take a hint. I don't want some murky, undefined relationship. You should understand that about me—I've always been straightforward and aboveboard. If you don't love me, I won't cling to you. Let me go."
Sawyer couldn't hold back anymore. He pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly it was like he wanted to absorb her into his body.
Things had reached this point. He had to tell the truth.
"Cassie, I'm sorry. I can't marry you. I can't give you a publicly acknowledged relationship that society would accept." His hand tightened on Cassidy's back as he closed his eyes and forced out the painful truth. "My family won't allow it. The Tucker family values honor above everything. I can't sacrifice the family for personal feelings. I'm too greedy. Cassie, I'm sorry. I'm the one holding you back..."
Cassidy wanted to scream at him.
You knew from the start you couldn't marry me, so why did you get me involved? I was ready to divorce Anthony and marry you, and now you tell me you can't abandon your family responsibilities?
Then why pretend to be so devoted? Who are you trying to fool?
She bit down hard, her body trembling slightly as she took a deep breath and laughed mockingly. "So that's how it is... I understand now..."
She pushed Sawyer away, turning her back to him. "In that case, we definitely can't hold each other back. You'll have to marry someone else eventually. Keeping me around—what am I supposed to be, your mistress?"
Sawyer rushed to explain. "Cassie, that's not what I meant..."
Cassidy shook her head with a bitter smile. "I won't be anyone's mistress. That's unfair to you, unfair to me, and unfair to your future wife. We have no future together. Better to end it now."
Conflict flashed in Sawyer's eyes. He desperately wanted to choose her without reservation, but the values drilled into him since childhood wouldn't allow it.
Maybe... maybe Cassie was right. Ending things was the best choice for both of them.
After a long silence, he finally spoke with immense pain. "Alright. But before that happens, let me protect you a while longer. The Watson family situation isn't resolved yet. At least wait until you're divorced and I've made sure you're settled before we make a clean break. Otherwise, how will you survive alone?"
Cassidy's body went rigid.
She'd been trying to push him into committing, never expecting him to actually agree to end things.
His so-called love was this cheap?
And "making sure she was settled"? She didn't want his charity! She wanted to marry into the Tucker family and become Mrs. Tucker!
She bit her lip, deliberately saying something hurtful. "How I survive after this is none of your business."
Sawyer wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Cassie, don't say that. You're breaking my heart..."
Cassidy sneered internally. In the end, she was expendable to him. His family, his status—those were what he'd protect no matter what.
But she couldn't give up like this. She couldn't go back to the Watson family. She never wanted to see that psycho Anthony again. Right now, Sawyer was her only hope. She had to hold on tight.
Just as she was about to speak again, loud knocking erupted at the door. An unfamiliar male voice rang out sternly. "Is anyone home? Open up!"
Cassidy flinched in fear. Sawyer immediately pulled her protectively into his arms, murmuring soothingly, "Don't be scared. It's fine. Let me check."
Cassidy nodded anxiously, watching Sawyer's retreating back. Part of her hoped it was someone from the Tucker family. If they discovered the ambiguous situation between Sawyer and her, they'd definitely reprimand him severely and force him to send her away.
That would actually push him closer to her side.
With anticipation building, Sawyer opened the door.
But it wasn't Tucker family members outside. It was several police officers. After showing their badges, one officer said, "Sawyer Tucker? We received a report that you're involved in human trafficking. Here's our search warrant. Step aside—we need to search the premises."
Sawyer looked confused. "Me? Human trafficking? There must be a mistake. I haven't done anything like that."
The officers pushed past him. One immediately spotted Cassidy. "Who's this?"
Sawyer quickly responded, "We know each other. She's my—"
Before he could say "friend," Cassidy cut him off.
She gave the officers a shy smile. "Officers, you've definitely made a mistake. We're boyfriend and girlfriend living together. How could this possibly be human trafficking?"
The officers exchanged glances. No one spoke.
At that moment, a figure appeared in the doorway, slowly approaching until he stood directly in front of Cassidy.
"When did my wife become Mr. Tucker's live-in girlfriend?"
Cassidy stared at the man before her in horror, stumbling back a step.
How was Anthony here? How did he find this place?
Anthony's face wore a gentle smile, like a lover lost in romance. He extended his hand to Cassidy, voice soft. "I know he tricked you. You didn't want this, did you? Cassie, come here."
Cassidy's heart hammered wildly, her back breaking out in nervous sweat. After being tortured nearly to death by Anthony recently, she knew exactly what he really was. He was a lunatic!
All that refined elegance, all that handsome wealth—pure facade! He was a demon hiding in darkness, capable of taking her life on a whim!
Terror-stricken, Cassidy instinctively ducked behind Sawyer.
But Anthony suddenly reached out, grabbed her arm, and yanked her to his side. He smiled as he asked, "What methods did he use on you? I'm right here, and you're still reluctant to leave him. Cassie, you've wounded me deeply."
His eyes looked so tender and affectionate, his voice so gentle and loving. But his hands—one visibly gripping her arm while the other pressed a concealed knife tight against her waist!
As he spoke, the blade slowly pushed forward, piercing her skin.
Cassidy muffled a groan of pain.
The next second she swallowed back any outcry because Anthony whispered in her ear with the gentlest voice, "Come home with me like a good girl. Your brother and parents are waiting for you."
Cassidy's body jolted, conflict flashing in her eyes as she looked desperately at Sawyer.
Anthony had captured her parents and brother. Their lives were in danger at any moment... But even if she went back with Anthony, would he really spare them? She'd just be adding one more death to the count...
But if Sawyer could somehow keep her here, maybe she could find a chance for him to rescue her family. That would still leave a sliver of hope...
With Anthony's knife pressed against her, she didn't dare say anything. She could only look at Sawyer with pleading, desperate eyes.
Seeing Cassidy trapped like this, Sawyer felt his heart being carved out. Heroic courage surged up from within. He stepped forward, looking at Anthony coldly.
"Let her go!"
Anthony smiled with amusement. "Mr. Tucker, understand your position. Cassie is my wife. You've held her prisoner here for half a month. I've been going crazy searching for her. Right now, you're a suspect in human trafficking. In front of these officers, you're acting pretty arrogant, don't you think?"
Sawyer's pupils contracted. Even someone as slow as him understood now—Anthony had set a trap for him. Cassidy was Anthony's wife, yet Sawyer had hidden her here for half a month. Sure, he trusted the police investigation would clear him eventually, but... if this blew up, it would bring endless shame to his family.
He couldn't ignore that consideration.
Perhaps letting Anthony quietly take Cassidy away was the best option.
But still...
He looked reluctantly at Cassidy's tear-streaked face, his heart breaking.
Just then, his phone rang. His father calling.
He'd barely answered when Richard's furious voice exploded through the speaker. "You're absolutely ridiculous! The Tuckers are built on honor—we've never had a single stain on our reputation, and now look at you!"
"Those intimate photos with that woman were bad enough, but now you're hiding her at your place? She's someone else's wife, do you understand that? Because of your mess, your grandfather got called in for a meeting with the higher-ups! You've disgraced the entire Tucker family! Get rid of that woman immediately! Before it's too late!"
Moments later, Sawyer hung up with his face drained of all color.