Chapter 369
This was the first time in weeks that Cassie had taken the initiative to call him.
The phone rang endlessly, and when it finally connected, it was Michael's furious voice: "Cassie, you're a curse. You've ruined Joseph."
"Where is he?" Cassie's heart sank with a bad premonition.
"All nine families are on his case. Joseph's been taken in for investigation," Michael snapped, "If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be in this mess!"
"What gives you the right to judge me? If you hadn't kidnapped me that night, none of this footage would exist!" Cassie snapped back angrily. "The yacht is yours, for God's sake, and you have a huge responsibility for the leak of that video!"
The comeback momentarily silenced Michael. "A big player is trying to take Joseph down. It's not that simple."
Dial tone hummed as Cassie abruptly hung up, itching to call Walter for updates.
Suddenly, an urgent knocking emanated from downstairs.
She threw on her clothes and stepped out to find the Hernandez estate's butler, accompanied by a group of bodyguards, stepping in: "Miss Brooks, I'm going to need you to come to the estate with me."
A worried Rosalind chimed in, "Can we wait for Joseph to return?"
"Joseph's been taken in for questioning by the police," the butler said icily. "This all started because of you, and you need to come with us tonight."
"Rosalind, forget it, I'll go," Cassie conceded.
Descending the staircase, Cassie had anticipated the Hernandez family would come for her sooner or later.
---
One hour later
The Hernandez mansion was ablaze with light.
This was Cassie's second visit. As she walked in, every member of the Hernandez family was present, each giving her glares of disgust and hatred.
Despite facing Madison's most prominent family, Cassie remained unusually calm and composed.
Her time in New York had been eventful, more than some experiences in a lifetime. She was fearless now.
"You're quite composed. This is not what I expected. No wonder you could charm Joseph. You're quite the schemer." Walter observed, his voice firm though he was well into his seventies, his presence as the patriarch undiminished.
Cassie remained silent.
Infuriated by her demeanor, Mrs. Hernandez grabbed a teacup and hurled it at Cassie's head.
A figure swiftly stepped in, taking the hit—Liam.
"Liam, what are you doing?" Mabel vented her frustration. "You're not still into her, are you?"
Liam glanced sidelong at the poised figure standing nearby, cracking a slight smile. "Grandma, let's talk it out. If she's injured, I'm afraid big brother will lose his temper when he comes back."
Mrs. Hernandez scoffed. "What temper can he possibly have now? He might not even walk free."
"You love Joseph the most; of course, you will help him," Liam said with a grin.
"Help?" Mrs. Hernandez eyed Cassie. "He's really disappointed me this time. Tell me, what exact tricks did you use on Joseph? You've got some nerve, being all flirty right under my nose last time you were here, treating us all like fools."
"Mom, that woman is seriously cunning," Celeste said with disdain. "On one hand, she's seducing Liam, and on the other, she's Joseph's girl. And I heard she had a fiancé before; she's been playing the Hernandez family like a fiddle."
"Right, weren't you all about having a fiancé?" Mrs. Hernandez added, her disgust peaking. "Engaged and still becoming someone else's mistress? Have you no shame, or are you just that desperate for a man?"
Cassie stared at the ground, silent, not sure what to say.
Defending herself seemed pointless.
A bodyguard kicked her hard in the knee, and she fell to the ground in pain.
Mabel said coldly, "Well, say something. You dared to do it; now, don't you have the guts to speak up?"
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