"Owen, do you need something from me?" Cassidy asked, noticing the look on his face.
Owen's cheeks turned a bit red as he cautiously said, "Cassidy, there's something I want to talk to you about."
Cassidy waited patiently for him to continue.
Owen glanced at Cassidy, then quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact. "I was wondering if you'd go to the autumn music festival with me when you get back from vacation."
Cassidy was a bit taken aback. It was the first time Owen had invited her to anything, so she nodded without thinking twice. "Sure, I'd love to. I bet your brothers would want to go too."
Realizing she might have misunderstood, Owen quickly shook his head. "No, that's not it!"
Seeing that he had startled her, Owen lowered his voice. "Cassidy, I meant just you. I want to invite you alone to the music festival."
"Just me?" Cassidy repeated, surprised. When she saw Owen nod, she fell silent.
Cassidy knew Owen had feelings for her, and she was aware that Easton had his suspicions about them. She probably shouldn't go alone with him. But when she saw the hopeful look in his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say no.
"Cassidy, will you go to the music festival with me?" Owen asked earnestly, his cheeks still flushed but his eyes steady.
"Owen, aren't you going to invite me too?" A familiar voice suddenly cut in.
They turned to see Easton, who had appeared out of nowhere and overheard their conversation.
The atmosphere got awkward fast, but Easton didn't seem to notice. He just looked at Owen. "Owen, I should be welcome at the music festival too, right?"
"Of course." Owen nodded awkwardly.
"In that case, Cassidy, how about I go with you to the music festival?" Easton said, turning to Cassidy.
'Oh no! I don't want to go with either of you!' Cassidy thought to herself, but they were both looking at her, clearly not wanting her to refuse.
She opened her mouth to find an excuse, but Easton seemed to read her mind. His eyes locked onto hers, and though he smiled, Cassidy felt threatened. "Cassidy, you're excited to go to the music festival, right?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Of course." Cassidy nodded helplessly.
Easton immediately smiled at Owen and said, "Owen, don't worry. Cassidy and I will be at the music festival on time."
Easton stood close to Cassidy without touching her, but Owen could feel the warning—Easton was telling him to back off.
Seeing this, Owen wondered if there was something between them. He looked at Cassidy, wanting to ask, but Easton spoke again, "Now that your issue is settled, it's my turn. Cassidy, I have a question for you."
With that, Easton didn't care about Owen's presence and pulled Cassidy away.
Cassidy's instincts told her not to go with Easton, but as she was about to resist, Easton gave her an icy stare. The urge to fight back vanished, and she had no choice but to follow him reluctantly.
Easton led Cassidy to a secluded corner, trapping her between the wall and his body before finally letting go of her hand.
"Easton, what do you want?" Cassidy asked, worried he might try something with no one around.
Seeing her intention to leave, Easton immediately grabbed her waist, pinning her against the wall.
"Easton!" Cassidy screamed, fear evident in her voice.
Easton stared at her intensely, as if trying to read her mind.
Under his heated gaze, Cassidy felt uncomfortable and just wanted to get away from him.
"Cassidy," he said calmly, though she could sense his anger. "Why did you bring Zoe here?"
'Does he know what I'm up to?' Cassidy wondered, feeling a bit nervous but not wanting to admit it.
"Easton, Zoe is my friend. I wanted to strengthen our relationship, so I invited her on vacation. Didn't we agree we could bring friends?" Cassidy tried to speak calmly, hoping to soothe Easton's emotions, as he looked too dangerous right now.
"Friends? Are you really friends?" Easton asked, clearly not buying it.
"Of course we're friends," Cassidy insisted. "Did your conversation go badly? If she made you uncomfortable, I apologize. Zoe is a gentle girl, and if she offended you, it must have been unintentional."
Easton's face darkened, and he tightened his grip on Cassidy's waist, pressing his body against hers, startling her.
"Easton, what do you want?" Cassidy screamed again.
Easton sneered, "Don't you know what I intend to do? Cassidy, just do what you're supposed to and stop meddling!"
His warning made Cassidy frown; if Easton hadn't caused her trouble and made decisions about her future without her consent, she wouldn't have tried to find him a fiancée!
"Easton, I just brought a friend on vacation. What exactly are you upset about?" Cassidy asked, but Easton grabbed her chin.
"Cassidy, don't play dumb! Do you think I can't see through your plans?" he snapped, his eyes burning with intensity. "I'm telling you, you'll never push me to another woman!"
With that, he lowered his head to kiss her.
Cassidy tried to cover her mouth with her hand, but Easton tightened his grip on her waist, making her cry out in pain.
Cassidy struggled frantically, but it was no use. Easton's tongue slid into her mouth, entwining with hers. Infuriated, she bit down hard on his tongue, causing him to yelp in pain and pull back.
Seeing his pained expression, Cassidy glared at him fearlessly.
Easton let out a cold, humorless laugh that sent shivers down Cassidy's spine. She felt a surge of desperation to escape.
But Easton wasn't about to let her go. He trapped her between the wall and his body, gripping her waist tightly. As he bent down to kiss her again, his other hand roughly seized her breast, kneading it forcefully. His grip was painfully strong, causing her to struggle immediately.
Easton held her tightly, giving her no chance to refuse his kiss.
Cassidy tried to bite him again, but Easton seemed to anticipate her moves, so she couldn't succeed.
Easton chuckled, squeezing her breast through her clothes, and whispered in her ear, "Cassidy, no matter what you try, you can only be mine!"