Chapter 178 Chapter 178
The next morning was quiet, but tension hung in the air. The police had promised to come back for more investigation, and Nathaniel barely slept all night. He kept replaying the moment his car spun out of control in his head, wondering who would want to end his life.
By noon, two officers arrived again, bringing with them a forensic expert. Cassandra was in the living room, pretending to be calm but secretly shaking inside.
“Mr. Nathaniel,” one officer said politely, “we’d like to check your car CCTV and house camera footage to see if we can identify who touched the vehicle before you drove out.”
Nathaniel nodded immediately. “Yes, please. I’ve been thinking about that too. The car is usually parked outside, and we have cameras around the compound.”
He led them to the security room. Cassandra followed quietly, her palms sweating, her heart beating fast. If Rico’s face shows up… I’m finished.
The security man opened the monitor system, and Nathaniel stood beside the police as they started scrolling through the recordings from the previous day.
“There,” the officer said suddenly. “Pause that.”
The footage showed Nathaniel’s car sitting quietly at dawn. Then, around 6:40 a.m., a man appeared — moving slowly, looking around. His face was hidden under a cap, and he wore gloves.
Nathaniel leaned closer. “Can you zoom in?”
The technician zoomed, but the picture got blurrier. The man bent down by the car’s front tire area and stayed there for a few minutes. After that, he wiped his hands with a cloth, stood up, and disappeared through the gate’s corner.
“Can you see his face?” Nathaniel asked quickly.
The officer shook his head. “Not clearly, sir. The angle is poor, and he covered himself well. But it’s clear this person did something to your car.”
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. “So it’s confirmed?”
“Yes, sir. Someone cut the brake line on purpose,” the officer replied firmly.
Cassandra gasped softly, holding her chest. “Oh my God, that’s so scary!”
The officer turned to her politely. “Ma’am, do you have any idea who might want to harm your husband?”
She shook her head quickly, forcing tears to come out. “No, officer. Nathaniel doesn’t have enemies. He’s a kind man.”
Nathaniel looked at her and gave a weak smile. “That’s true. I’ve never fought anyone. I don’t understand why this is happening.”
Inside, Cassandra’s thoughts were racing. Rico, you fool! You didn’t hide your face properly.
She hoped the video wouldn’t get cleaned up or enhanced. But she knew police had experts. If they managed to clear the blur, she was doomed.
The police took copies of the footage and promised to send it to their tech unit for better analysis.
“We’ll update you once we get a clear image,” one officer said. “Until then, sir, please avoid driving yourself. Let your driver handle the car once we’ve cleared it.”
Nathaniel nodded. “Alright, officer. Thank you so much.”
When they left, Nathaniel sank onto the couch, lost in thought. “Cassandra, can you believe this? Someone entered this compound and touched my car, and no one saw a thing.”
Cassandra bit her lip and sat beside him. “Maybe it’s a thief who wanted to steal it,” she said quickly.
Nathaniel shook his head. “No. The person didn’t even open the door or touch anything else. He only went for the brakes. That’s not a thief — that’s someone trying to end me.”
Cassandra felt her stomach twist. Her mind was already in panic mode.
Nathaniel continued, “I think I need to increase security. This house doesn’t feel safe anymore.”
“Yes,” Cassandra said quickly, trying to act supportive. “That’s a good idea, honey. Maybe you should even get new guards.”
Nathaniel sighed. “Yes, I’ll handle that tomorrow.”
As soon as he went upstairs to rest, Cassandra grabbed her phone and ran to the back garden. She dialed Rico’s number quickly.
“Rico!” she hissed. “You idiot! The police saw the CCTV. They know someone cut the brake!”
Rico sounded calm. “Relax, ma’am. I covered my face. They can’t trace me.”
“They’re sending the footage for enhancement!” she snapped. “If they clean it up and see your face, you’ll expose us both!”
Rico was quiet for a moment. “Then I’ll disappear. Don’t call me again until things calm down.”
Before Cassandra could reply, he hung up.
She threw her phone angrily into the flower bush, breathing hard. This is going out of control. I need to think fast.
Later that night, Nathaniel sat in his office room, staring at the footage again. The blurry face on the screen felt familiar, but he couldn’t figure out why.
“Who are you?” he whispered. “And why me?”
Cassandra came in quietly with a cup of tea. “Still thinking about it?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” Nathaniel said. “It doesn’t make sense. Someone inside or close to this house must have helped that person enter. The gate doesn’t open easily.”
Cassandra froze, hiding her nervousness. “You think someone from inside the house?”
“Yes,” Nathaniel replied. “Maybe one of the workers. I’ll question all of them tomorrow.”
Cassandra smiled faintly, forcing herself to stay calm. “That’s a good idea, dear.”
But inside her mind, her thoughts screamed — I must find Rico before the police find him.
That night, while Nathaniel slept again, Cassandra sat at the edge of the bed, staring into the darkness.
Every plan she made seemed to fall apart, but she couldn’t stop.
Not now. Not after everything she had done.
Her voice came out in a whisper, low and cold.
“If the police can’t find him first… I will.”