Chapter 308
"Drenched, Cassie emerged from the water only to find the servant gone without a trace.
After an unsettling encounter with the chef during dinner, Cassie had been wary. She'd had to follow the summons under the guise of a request from the matriarch, even making a recording on the way.
She checked her phone, which was soaked; the screen was pitch black.
Unsure of the other party's schemes, she knew she had to get out fast.
""Who's there?""
A man emerged from behind the trees, chest bare, a towel wrapped around his waist. That face was unmistakably Richard’s.
At that moment, Cassie's confusion dissipated, replaced by a sigh of relief and a knowing smile.
""Dang, Rich, what are you doing here?"" Richard jumped at the unexpected voice, clutched his chest, and hissed, ""Get out of here before Joseph finds out. He'll kill me if he does.""
""I got tricked into coming,"" Cassie said, crawling out of the water. Her hair was soaked, clinging to her shapely figure. Usually, such a sight would have made Richard's inner beast roar, but not with Cassie—he wouldn't dare.
""You need to change out of your wet clothes; I'll...""
Before he could finish, many footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Cassie's face went pale. If anyone saw her soaking wet near Richard's pool, she'd be in deep trouble explaining herself.
""I'll go hold them off. You head inside quickly. The first room on the second floor is Joseph's. I'll let him know in a bit.""
Richard hurried towards the archway as Celeste, Vera, Juliette, and many others rushed in, including his mother, Yvonne.
""What's the deal? Are you all here to sneak a peek at me in the bath?"" Richard joked, blocking their path with a grin.
""Out of my way,"" Yvonne glared at him. ""I heard Cassie slipped over here. She didn't seduce you, did she? You better not have done anything foolish.""
She knew her son all too well, fearing another ridiculous act that could offend the Chapmans. And as for Cassie, the illegitimate daughter, Yvonne had no regard for her. As long as things hadn't gone too far, she figured she could get her son off the hook without getting him hitched.
""What are you talking about?"" Richard played dumb. ""I've been bathing the whole time.""
""Rich,"" Celeste interjected, ""the servants saw Cassie heading here, and we know how attentive you've been around her. Don't try to pull any fast ones.""
""Hey, don't underestimate me,"" Richard feigned offense. ""Am I such a beast in your eyes?""
""That's enough; move aside."" Yvonne pushed past him impatiently.
The group searched the pool area but found no one.
Vera was baffled. This wasn't what she had expected at all. Knowing Richard, wouldn't he have pounced on Cassie without hesitation, especially with her excellent looks? Yet there was no struggle, no sign of her at all.
""Enough already! I told you I haven't seen her. Can't a guy have some peace while taking a bath?"" Richard snapped, his anger peaking.
""Then where is she? She better not have disappeared,"" Vera quickly pivoted. ""She's one of the Chapman's gems—if something happened to her, it'd be a disaster.""
Celeste said, ""Don't worry, I'll have someone search immediately. As guests of the Hernandez family, we won't let anything happen to her.""
Watching the women put on an act, Richard quickly snuck off to text Joseph.
...
An impatient Joseph got the message in the home theater and immediately stood up. ""I need to take care of some urgent business. Keep watching,"" he said. Without waiting for Luna's response, he left."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
