Chapter 184 Chapter 184
It was a calm afternoon when the police cars drove through the big gate of Nathaniel’s mansion. The security man opened it fast, looking nervous. Cassandra was in the living room, flipping through a magazine, pretending to be relaxed. Nathaniel was on a phone call in his study when one of the maids came running in.
“Sir, the police are here again,” she said softly.
Nathaniel sighed, rubbed his forehead, and dropped the phone. He walked out slowly to meet them. Two officers stood at the entrance, hats in hand, their faces serious.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Nathaniel,” one of them said politely.
“Good afternoon, officers. I wasn’t expecting you today,” Nathaniel replied. “Please, come in.”
They entered the sitting room. Cassandra quickly stood up, forcing a smile, though her palms were sweating. “Welcome, officers. Would you like some tea?”
The younger officer shook his head. “No, ma’am. We just came to give an update.”
Nathaniel nodded and sat down, motioning for them to do the same. “So, what have you found out?”
The senior officer cleared his throat. “Well, sir, after checking the car carefully, it’s clear the brake was tampered with. Whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing.”
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened, and he leaned back in his chair. “I already guessed that. Did you find out who did it?”
The officer shook his head. “Not yet, sir. But we’re getting closer. For now, we’re lying low. We don’t want to alert the person behind this. If we rush, they might cover their tracks.”
Cassandra was sitting beside Nathaniel, her fingers gripping her skirt tightly. “So… what does that mean?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“It means,” the officer said calmly, “that everyone in this house is a suspect — for now.”
Cassandra’s heart skipped a beat, but she tried not to show it. “Everyone?” she repeated softly.
“Yes, ma’am,” the officer replied. “Until we find solid proof, we can’t rule anyone out. Staff, drivers, even family members — we’ll be watching closely.”
Nathaniel nodded slowly. “I understand. Do whatever you must. I just want to know who tried to kill me.”
The room went silent for a moment. The ticking clock on the wall felt louder than ever. Cassandra could feel sweat forming on her forehead.
The officer stood up. “We’ll keep in touch, sir. And please, if anything unusual happens, call us immediately.”
“Of course,” Nathaniel said, shaking his hand.
Cassandra forced another smile and stood too. “Thank you, officers. We appreciate all you’re doing.”
The younger one nodded politely before they both turned and walked out. The moment they left the house, Cassandra’s smile disappeared. She sank into the chair, breathing heavily.
Nathaniel walked over to the window, watching the police car leave. “They said they’ll be watching everyone,” he murmured.
Cassandra quickly composed herself. “Well, maybe that’s a good thing,” she said, trying to sound calm. “At least they’ll find whoever is behind this.”
Nathaniel turned to her. “Yes. Whoever it is will pay for it.”
Cassandra nodded, forcing herself to meet his eyes. “Of course.”
He studied her face quietly, noticing how pale she looked. “You okay?”
“Yes,” she said too quickly. “Just tired. I’ll go rest.”
Nathaniel didn’t stop her. He just stood there, still deep in thought.
When Cassandra got to her room, she shut the door quietly and pressed her back against it, her heart racing fast. “Everyone is a suspect,” she whispered to herself. “That means… me too.”
She began pacing the room, biting her nails nervously. “I have to be careful. If they find out about Rico, I’m finished.”
After a while, she sat on the bed, staring at the wall. “I can’t panic now. I need to stay calm. I’ll just act normal, be sweet, and they’ll never suspect me.”
She smiled faintly, though it looked forced. “Yes, Cassandra, just keep pretending.”
Meanwhile, downstairs, Nathaniel sat in his study, lost in his thoughts. He couldn’t shake off the strange feeling that something wasn’t right — not with the case, and not with Cassandra either.
He sighed deeply and whispered to himself, “Whoever tried to take my life… is someone close.”
And just like that, the house that once felt peaceful was now filled with silent tension. Every maid, every worker, even Cassandra herself — everyone was being watched.
But what none of them knew was that the real storm was only just beginning.