Chapter 409
Cassie arrived at the office, her head shaking in amusement, as she braced herself for the inevitable wave of envy that awaited her.
Her assistant, Coco, greeted her cheerfully, "Mrs. Brooks, you've been positively radiant of late. It's the talk of New York how much Joseph adores you, treating you as though you were his most precious treasure. Oh, and these arrived for you: an invitation to a business dinner from the He Corporation and a summons to a fashion party from Miss Tianyu."
Cassie was momentarily speechless as she took in the thick stack of invitations.
Coco continued, "The anticipation for the Summer Group's chip launch is at fever pitch. Everyone is scrambling to curry favor with Joseph. As his wife, you're naturally one of the most sought-after connections."
Cassie replied with a wry laugh, "It used to be quite a challenge to secure an invitation like this. It all comes down to who you know in New York, the art of social climbing."
Coco, ever the sycophant, enthused, "It's largely due to Joseph's competence. Mrs. Brooks, you certainly have an eye for talent."
Cassie rolled her eyes at the flattery. "Distribute those invites to the other board members. They can accompany me."
"Of course," Coco agreed.
After Coco had left, Cassie received an unexpected call.
"Cassie, it's been some time. I'm in New York. Would you have time to meet for coffee?"
The sound of Benjamin's voice elicited a chuckle of disbelief from Cassie. It was as if she had conjured a ghost - mention them, and they appear.
...
At the coffee shop nestled beneath her office building, Cassie found herself face-to-face with Benjamin once more.
He was a shadow of his former self; thinner, his handsome features now etched with a rough, weary hardness. His eyes, too, bore the telltale signs of world-weariness and despair.
Cassie felt no sympathy for him - he had brought this upon himself.
"It's been a long... time," Benjamin managed, his gaze lingering awkwardly on her face.
"If you're here to comment on my appearance, don't bother," Cassie cut him off sharply.
"I understand, your status has changed. Everyone in Madison knows you're the chairwoman of Peace Group and married to Joseph of the Hernandez empire. I underestimated you," Benjamin admitted, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice.
Cassie found his tone distasteful. "If you have something to say, say it."
"I need to know where Laura is. She changed her number," Benjamin confessed, sounding exasperated. "I can't reach her."
"All this time?" Cassie scoffed. "Laura did change her number, even cut ties with our old school friends here in New York to avoid you. But my number's been the same, always available for a call, which you never made until today."
"I...," he began.
"Let's be clear, it's been nearly three months since you both split, and now you start looking for her," Cassie interrupted with a sneer. "Perhaps you thought she was merely being dramatic, giving her space, assuming she'd never leave you and would reach out first. But months went by without a word from her, and now you realize it wasn't a joke; now you want her back."
Benjamin looked mortified by her accusation. "Cassie, Laura and I have been together for years, we were planning to get married this year. It's not something you can just cut off. We have a real connection."
"I'm not feeling it, to be honest."
Cassie was seething. "Every time something happens to Julia, you're there in a heartbeat. Same goes for seeing your parents. It'll probably be the same with engagements and weddings. Laura's right—maybe you should be with Julia. You two are a better match. Just stop bothering her."
"I really see Julia as nothing more than a sister..."
"Yeah right, putting a so-called sister, who's not even blood-related, ahead of your girlfriend and future wife? No one can handle that." Cassie stood up. "You accused me of meddling with your relationship with Laura before, remember? Well, I'm done letting Laura get hurt by you, and I certainly won't be giving you any updates about her."
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