Chapter 87 88
The morning started quietly in Nathaniel’s mansion, but the peace didn’t last long.
Nathaniel came downstairs with a file in his hand, his face looking angry and tired. Cassandra was sitting on the sofa, painting her nails, pretending not to notice the tension in the air.
“Cassandra,” he called sharply.
She looked up, blinking fast. “Yes, honey?”
He dropped the file on the table. “What is the meaning of this?”
Her eyes darted to the papers, then back to him. “What?”
Nathaniel crossed his arms. “Don’t play dumb with me. Fifty million naira is missing from the family’s general account. I checked the records — you withdrew it last week. What did you use that money for?”
Cassandra’s hand froze halfway through her nail polish. Her heart skipped. “Fifty million?” she repeated slowly, pretending to be surprised.
“Yes, Cassandra! Fifty million!” Nathaniel’s voice rose. “What did you do with it?”
She gave a nervous laugh, trying to act calm. “Oh, that... I, um, I went shopping.”
“Shopping?” he asked, raising his brows. “Fifty million for shopping?”
She nodded quickly. “Yes. I bought some jewelry, new clothes, a few designer shoes—”
Nathaniel’s voice cut her off. “Where are they?”
Cassandra’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
“Where are all these things you claim you bought?” he asked again, stepping closer. “Because I’ve checked your closet this morning, and nothing new is there. No boxes, no bags, nothing!”
Her face turned pale. “You checked my closet?”
“Yes!” he said firmly. “Because I had to make sure I wasn’t losing my mind. Cassandra, tell me the truth. What did you do with that money?”
She started to fidget with her fingers, her voice breaking. “I said I went shopping! Why don’t you believe me?”
“Because you’re lying,” he said coldly.
Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears. “Nathaniel, you don’t trust me anymore? After everything?”
“This isn’t about trust,” he replied, his voice lower now. “It’s about responsibility. That account isn’t for personal spending. It’s for business and family needs. You can’t just withdraw millions without telling me!”
Cassandra turned her face away, a tear rolling down her cheek. “You always make it look like I’m careless,” she whispered.
Nathaniel sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I’m not saying that. But fifty million is not small money, Cassandra. That’s a huge amount. You must give me a proper explanation.”
She stood up suddenly, her voice rising. “I told you, I used it for shopping! Why are you shouting at me like I stole it?”
Nathaniel’s patience broke. “Because nothing adds up! You’ve been acting strange lately, always sneaking out, taking calls in secret. Now, this money disappears, and you think I won’t notice?”
Her heart began to race. “You’re accusing me of something I didn’t do!”
“Then tell me what you did!” he shouted back.
Silence filled the room. Cassandra’s lips trembled. For a long moment, she just stood there, breathing hard. Then tears poured down her cheeks.
“I swear, Nathaniel, I didn’t mean any harm,” she said weakly. “I just… I needed the money.”
“For what?” he pressed, staring deep into her eyes.
She looked down at the floor. “Personal things,” she whispered.
“Personal things like what?” he asked again.
But she didn’t answer.
Nathaniel let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. “Cassandra, if you’re hiding something, it will only make things worse.”
“I’m not hiding anything,” she cried, wiping her eyes quickly. “I promise.”
He looked at her one last time, disappointment written all over his face. “I hope so. Because if I find out you’re lying, Cassandra, you’ll regret it.”
He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there in tears.
The moment he left, Cassandra sat back on the couch, her hands shaking. She buried her face in her palms, crying quietly.
“What have I done,” she whispered to herself. “I should have been more careful.”
Her mind raced to Marcus — her secret lover. The man she had been secretly seeing. The one she gave part of that money to. She couldn’t let Nathaniel find out.
If he ever knew, it would destroy everything.
She wiped her tears, stood up slowly, and looked at herself in the mirror.
“I’ll fix this,” she whispered. “He must never find out.”
But deep down, she knew the truth — the hole she had dug for herself was already too deep.