Chapter 41 Chapter 41
The mansion was quiet that morning, sunlight spilling through the wide windows and painting the marble floor in soft gold. Cassandra stretched lazily on the king-sized bed, her silk robe sliding down her shoulder. She reached across the bed, but Nathaniel was gone.
A smile touched her lips. He was always up early these days, busy with the company, busy trying to keep everything in control. Cassandra didn’t mind. The less time he spent watching her, the more time she had to weave her plans.
She rose from the bed and walked to the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her—flawless skin, painted lips, hair falling in waves. She tilted her head and whispered to herself, “This is the life I deserve.”
Not the small life Savannah once had with Nathaniel. Not the weak woman who cooked, cleaned, and begged for his attention. Cassandra had no interest in being anyone’s servant. She wanted the mansion, the company, the money, the power. And step by step, she was getting all of it.
Downstairs, the maids moved quickly, cleaning and setting breakfast. Cassandra walked in slowly, her heels clicking on the floor. The maids all lowered their heads, but one was too slow, still dusting the shelves. Cassandra stopped right behind her.
“You,” Cassandra said sharply.
The maid froze, clutching her cloth. “Yes, ma’am?”
“You should know by now that when I enter this room, you stop whatever you are doing and greet me first. Or is respect too difficult for you?”
The maid swallowed nervously. “I’m sorry, ma’am. It won’t happen again.”
Cassandra smirked, tilting her head. “Good. Because in this house, I set the rules now. And anyone who dares to cross me will regret it.”
The other maids exchanged quick glances but said nothing. They had already learned that Cassandra’s temper was dangerous. One wrong word could earn them a slap—or worse.
She sat at the head of the dining table, right where Savannah used to sit. She picked up her fork slowly, enjoying the feeling. “Bring me orange juice,” she ordered. “Fresh, not the one you poured earlier.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As the maid hurried off, Cassandra leaned back, her thoughts drifting. Nathaniel had told her last night that he loved her. He had said he wanted her in his life, that Savannah was gone and he didn’t care. Cassandra had smiled sweetly, acting like her heart was touched. But inside, she had laughed.
Nathaniel was a fool.
He thought she wanted him. He thought her sweet words were true. But Cassandra’s love was only for herself. She wanted his name, his wealth, his empire. And once she secured it all, she could do whatever she pleased.
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw a message from Vanessa.
Vanessa: “Good morning. Don’t forget our lunch today. We need to talk.”
Cassandra smirked and typed back quickly: I’ll be there.
Vanessa was the only one she trusted enough to share her real thoughts with. Together, they laughed at Savannah’s absence, certain that she was gone for good.
Nathaniel walked in just then, his suit sharp, his tie perfect. His face was calm, unreadable as always. Cassandra immediately put on her sweetest smile.
“Good morning, Nathaniel,” she said, standing to kiss his cheek. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes,” he said shortly, pulling out a chair.
Cassandra poured him coffee with her own hands, pretending to be the perfect partner. “I thought maybe we could have dinner together tonight. Just us. I’ll make it special.”
Nathaniel nodded without looking at her. “Fine.”
She bit back her irritation. He was always distant, always serious. But that didn’t matter. As long as he kept her in the mansion, as long as he called her his woman, she was winning.
When Nathaniel finished his coffee and stood to leave, Cassandra touched his arm gently. “Don’t work too hard, love. Remember, I’m here for you.”
He only gave a small nod and walked out the door.
The moment he was gone, Cassandra’s smile dropped. She sat back down and sipped her juice slowly, her mind racing.
“Savannah,” she whispered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. “Wherever you are, you better stay gone. Because if you come back, I will make sure you regret it.”
Her phone buzzed again. Vanessa had sent another message:
Vanessa: “I heard something interesting. We’ll talk later.”
Cassandra’s lips curled into a smile, but this time it was sharp and cold. She didn’t know yet what Vanessa had heard, but she was ready. Whatever it was, she would twist it to her advantage.
For now, she leaned back in her chair, her mind already plotting the next move. To Nathaniel, she was the sweet, perfect lover. To the maids, she was the strict mistress. But in her heart, she was something else entirely—a hunter waiting for her prey.
And Savannah, wherever she was, remained her biggest threat.