Chapter 182 Chapter 182
Cassandra sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she kept dialing Vanessa’s number. The mansion felt too quiet, too cold. Every tick of the wall clock echoed through her chest like a drum.
When Vanessa finally answered, Cassandra’s voice cracked. “Please come over… I need you. It’s urgent.”
Vanessa, alarmed by her tone, didn’t waste time. Within thirty minutes, she arrived at the mansion. The guards at the gate let her in without question—they all knew how close she and Cassandra were.
As Vanessa walked into the living room, she found Cassandra pacing restlessly, her hair messy, her eyes red from tears.
“Cassandra!” Vanessa rushed to her. “What happened? You sounded so scared on the phone.”
Cassandra didn’t answer right away. Instead, she burst into tears, holding her face with shaking hands. “Vanessa… I think I’m finished. I think they’ll find out everything.”
Vanessa frowned and gently helped her sit down. “Find out what? What are you talking about?”
Cassandra looked around nervously, making sure no one was nearby. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “The police… they questioned me today. They said they’re investigating everyone, but I could see it in their eyes, Vanessa. They suspect me.”
Vanessa sighed and tried to stay calm. “Cassie, you need to relax. You’re shaking like someone who’s already guilty.”
“I am guilty!” Cassandra blurted, then quickly covered her mouth. Her eyes widened in panic as if she’d said too much.
Vanessa’s expression hardened. “Cassandra! Are you out of your mind? You shouldn’t say that, not even to me.”
Cassandra started crying harder. “I didn’t mean for it to get this bad. I just wanted him to disappear quietly. I didn’t even plan it this way. I just wanted the company. That’s all!”
Vanessa grabbed her shoulders firmly. “Listen to me, Cassie. You need to pull yourself together before you destroy everything! Do you understand?”
Cassandra nodded weakly, her tears still flowing. “They said I shouldn’t leave town, Vanessa. What if they come back? What if they find Rico? He might confess everything!”
Vanessa sighed and shook her head. “You have to trust me, okay? No one will find out. Rico won’t say a word. You paid him well, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Cassandra whispered. “But what if he’s caught? What if they trace him?”
“Stop thinking negative,” Vanessa said sharply. “You’re drawing attention with your behavior. When the police came, you shouted and threw tantrums. That’s the worst thing you could do.”
“I couldn’t help it!” Cassandra said, sniffing. “They were looking at me like I’m a criminal!”
Vanessa stood up and crossed her arms, trying to control her frustration. “Cassie, you are acting like one. If you keep panicking like this, Nathaniel will know something’s wrong. You have to pretend everything is fine.”
Cassandra wiped her tears quickly. “Pretend? How? I’m falling apart inside.”
“Then fake it,” Vanessa said firmly. “Smile. Cook dinner. Kiss him goodnight. Act like the loving wife. That’s the only way to throw them off your trail.”
Cassandra stared at her best friend, breathing unevenly. “You think that will work?”
Vanessa nodded. “It always does. You forget, Cassie—I’ve been in situations worse than this. The more you act innocent, the harder it will be for them to believe you’re involved.”
Cassandra took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “You’re right… I have to stay calm. I can’t lose everything now.”
Vanessa softened her tone. “Exactly. You’ve worked too hard for this life. Don’t let your emotions ruin it.”
Cassandra nodded again slowly, her tears drying up. “Thank you, Vanessa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Vanessa smiled faintly. “You’d probably be in jail by now,” she teased lightly, trying to ease the tension.
For the first time that day, Cassandra let out a shaky laugh. “You’re right. I really lost it, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” Vanessa replied. “But now you’re going to be smart. Promise me, no more crying, no more shouting at anyone, and definitely no more suspicious behavior.”
“I promise,” Cassandra said quietly. “I’ll act normal. I’ll even apologize to Nathaniel and cook something for him tonight.”
“That’s the spirit,” Vanessa said as she stood up. “I’ll check in later, but remember—don’t talk too much. Say only what’s necessary.”
Cassandra nodded and stood, hugging her tightly. “Thank you, Vanessa. You’re the only one who understands me.”
Vanessa smiled faintly but her eyes looked distant. “Just be careful, Cassie. We’re walking on thin ice now.”
When Vanessa left, Cassandra stood by the window, watching her car drive away. Her heart was still pounding, but her tears had stopped.
She whispered to herself, “No one will take what’s mine. Not Nathaniel. Not anyone.”
But deep inside, she knew—every step she took from now on would either save her… or destroy her completely.