Chapter 1236 Meeting Declan Again
Joseph gave her a gentle pat on the head.
He managed to push down his bad mood.
He knew the one who should be feeling the worst wasn’t him, but Cassie.
Seriously, who’d wanna be married to David?
"Come on, let's go say hi to Eric." Joseph wrapped his arm around Cassie and they headed out.
Laura shot a glance at Michael and gave him a once-over, "You did pretty good back there."
"Well, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve."
"Yeah, your mouth is something else. When you used to chew me and Cassie out, I wanted to kick your ass. But now, seeing you tear into people I can’t stand, I gotta admit, it’s kinda satisfying." Laura looked at Michael, finding him a bit more tolerable now.
Michael was at a loss for words. Was she praising him or roasting him?
After Cassie and Joseph mingled for a bit, a hotel staffer finally led them to the top floor.
Tonight’s shindig had two levels.
Folks on the first floor could dance and chat, but the second floor was exclusive; not just anyone could get in.
Everyone knew Carl from the Jude family was up there.
At the lounge door, a secretary looked at Cassie, a bit hesitant. "Mr. Jude needs to talk to Mr. Hernandez in private."
"Then I'll wait outside," Cassie said.
Some things between Carl and Joseph were too top-secret, so it made sense she couldn’t listen in.
"Don’t go downstairs; wait for me up here." Joseph didn’t want her running into David, so he told her to stay put before heading in.
Cassie wandered the corridor, admiring the city’s night view.
This hotel had over a hundred floors, and the floor-to-ceiling windows gave a killer view of the city, lights twinkling like stars, making it look almost magical. But Cassie was a bit scared of heights and didn’t dare get too close.
After a bit, she spotted a big terrace ahead, with a burly figure lounging on a sofa, studying a chessboard on the table.
It was Declan.
Cassie was a bit surprised to see him here.
But Everett had hinted before, so she knew the Wittelsbach family wasn’t just any family.
She hesitated for a couple of seconds, then turned to leave.
Behind her, Declan’s deep voice called out. "Ms. Brooks, why do you leave as soon as you see me without even saying hello? That’s kinda rude."
Cassie rubbed her forehead and turned back. "I’m afraid you’ll think I’m trying to cozy up to you with some hidden agenda."
"From what I hear, Ms. Brooks, you used your top-notch acting skills to help the Hernandez Group get through this mess. I know you wouldn’t bother asking for my help now." Declan picked up a wine glass and took a sip of red wine.
Cassie smiled confidently. "Mr. Wittelsbach doesn’t care about the Hernandez Group’s worth. I don’t think I have anything that could make you wanna help the Hernandez Group, so I wouldn’t wanna bug you. If I can handle stuff myself, that’s obviously better. No one wants to stoop to begging for help."
"Do you think the Hernandez Group is out of the woods?" Declan asked, a bit mockingly.
Cassie was taken aback. "Sounds like you know something."
Declan stayed quiet.
Cassie chuckled. "Man, I'm such an idiot. If you’re up here playing chess, you must be on a whole different level, probably on par with Carl."
"No need to fish for info." Declan glanced at her, her eyes full of mischief and energy, reminding him of the first time he met Isabella. "Sit down and help me figure out this chess game."
Cassie walked over without a second thought.
She knew a bit about chess and could see Declan was in a tight spot.
"I was playing with someone here, and I'm about to lose. Help me out." Declan’s eyes showed a hint of helplessness.
"If I help you, I should get something in return, right?" Cassie grinned.
Declan shot her a look. "You really know how to push your luck."
"Given your status, any reward I ask for would be a steal. I’m not passing up this chance," Cassie said with a smile. "And the person you’re playing with must be a big deal, right? It’s Carl, isn’t it?"
Declan laughed, thinking, 'Lots of people try to use me. Even Isabella’s daughter Olivia tried, but no one’s as upfront as Cassie. Straightforward and smart people aren’t annoying.'
"If I help you beat Carl, it wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t give me something in return." Cassie raised an eyebrow.
"Alright, if you help me win, I’ll owe you one favor. I’ll help you save one person in the future, but just one," Declan said after a moment.
"Deal." Cassie nodded, stepped up, and moved a piece for Declan.
Declan studied it for a bit and then burst out laughing. "Genius! Why didn’t I think of that?"
"It’s not that you didn’t think of it. You just don’t know the game well enough," Cassie said with a smile.
"Everyone’s got their strengths. Chess isn’t mine, and I’m not ashamed to admit it." Declan waved his hand, pretty laid-back.
Cassie’s eyes showed a hint of admiration. "Declan, I should get going. My boyfriend’s probably done talking and might come looking for me. I don’t want to bother you."
Declan said playfully, "How do you know he’d bother me?"
"I don’t know, but I figure someone like you wouldn’t want to meet people casually. If it goes well, Joseph could make a connection with you, but if it doesn’t, it might look like we’re scheming," Cassie said honestly.
"You’re right." Declan nodded, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "But don’t you need any proof of my promise?"
"Someone like you doesn’t need it. Besides, if you really went back on your word, there’s nothing I could do. Writing a note wouldn’t help." Cassie checked the time. "Declan, goodbye."
Not long after she left, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
David looked down at the photo in his hand, showing Cassie and Declan by the chessboard, one standing and one sitting, with Declan smiling contentedly.
He was fuming.
He didn’t expect Cassie to meet Declan. Wasn’t Declan supposed to hate Cassie? He didn’t expect them to be chatting and laughing together.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
