CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
Jessica Wallan is the most unlikely person to become friends with a detective as she owns a nightclub and runs a legal prostitution business out of her own club. But Jessica becomes Cassandra's friend because they didn't know about each other's work beforehand. They meet in a community to heal trauma. And here they are.
“Someone found out about me?!”
Jessica lowered her glass of wine onto the table, she then leaned forward and said, “You're right. As far as I know, it's Ben. Franches' personal secretary. Are you investigating him? If so, then you two are investigating each other."
Cassandra furrowed her brows, she looked confused now. Rubbing her sweaty palms, she replied to Jessica, “Does he know I'm a detective?”
Jessica chuckled. "Of course not. I'm your best friend, there's no way I'm going to put you through hell."
"Oh yeah? You're talking about our friendship now, um?"
“Of course.”
“Did you forget that you received money from Franches as my payment for sleeping with him last night?”
Jessica laughed, not feeling guilty at all. Patting the shoulder of Cassandra sitting next to her, Jessica said, “I have to be professional so Franches doesn't get suspicious. I accepted money from all my clients and refused payment from Franches? That's too obvious, Franches would know right away that I have other plans."
Despite still feeling angry at Jessica, Cassandra did not want to prolong the matter. She simply mumbled to pause their conversation and continued after Cassandra felt curious about one thing. “So, what did you say about me to Franches' secretary?”
"I heard that Antonio is a very detailed person. So I gave him accurate false information to lie to Ben, his secretary."
"Wait, wait. What do you mean accurate false information?"
"I explained to Ben that you were a part-time worker here and that you looked after your mother's pigs for money. You're very poor and suffering. You are the Cinderella of the real world."
Cassandra chuckled, she looked at Jessica lazily. "You made up a story and made me look like a real miserable person? Well done, Jess."
Cassandra's sarcastic tone didn't make Jessica angry at all. She laughed instead. "What else do you think makes a virgin girl like you come and work here? It's about the money, isn't it? I have to sound realistic."
“It's annoying to hear you make up that terrible story, but I'm also relieved that you didn't betray me on that one.”
Jessica nodded her head, she raised her wine glass again and said, “You're welcome, I'm like an angel.”
“I'm not complimenting you you know.”
"By the way, did you accept Antonio's invitation tonight? I see you're interested in him too, Ms. Baker."
Cassandra rolled her eyes lazily. Leaning her back against the sofa, she continued, “I don't know. I just wanted to avenge my parents' death. But why did things get complicated."
"Well, things are complicated because your feelings have changed. You're in love with Antonio Franches. Isn't that right?"
“Of course not!”
“You did.”
“I didn't, Jessica!”
Cassandra leaned back on the plush sofa, her eyes flickering with annoyance. Jessica's grin widened even further.
“All right, all right,” Jessica gave in, raising her hands in surrender. "But be careful. Antonio Franches is not a random person. He's dangerous."
“I know that,” Cassandra replied, her voice firm. “I can handle him.”
Jessica sighed, her expression turning serious. "Promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want to lose my best friend over a senseless game."
Cassandra nodded, a small smile on her lips. “I promise.”
****
Cassandra had just finished putting on her leather jacket when a car horn sounded from outside. Cassandra's blue eyes scanned the surroundings, everyone was in the living room. Uncle Lionel, and Aunt Marry. So, who was visiting her house that night?
"Do you have an appointment with someone, Cass? You look beautiful,” Uncle Lionel said.
But Cassandra didn't feel that she had invited anyone, especially Antonio to come to her house, Uncle Lionel's house to be precise. Cassandra ran to the window. Uncle Lionel and Aunt Marry followed after Cassandra, the three of them peeked out of the window and found a black limousine stopped in front of their pigsty.
"Limousine?! Who owns that car?!" Aunt Marry became excited.
Who would come to a house near a farm in a limousine?
Cassandra ran outside to make sure, and not long after, she saw Franches getting off the limousine who was very, very unexpectedly going to arrive at her Uncle and Aunt's farm. Cassandra's eyes couldn't stop widening when Franches walked up to her and greeted her casually.
“Good evening, Miss Baker?”
Aunt Marry greeted Antonio immediately. She greeted Antonio like a special guest. “Do... you know... our daughter?”
Cassandra turned her head, she looked confused. Why did Aunt Marry say that I was her daughter?
“Yes you do, ma'am.” Antonio held out a hand. “I am her boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?!” Everyone screamed in excitement, including Uncle Lionel who had just come out of the house.
Uncle Lionel looked at Cassandra as if asking for an explanation. He was confused and anxious at the same time. “Can we talk alone, Cass?”
Cassandra's pulse quickened as she exchanged glances with Uncle Lionel, her eyes full of questions and worries. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Sure, Dad. Let's go inside."
They walked into the living room, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. As the door closed behind them, Uncle Lionel turned to her, his face showing concern.
"What's going on, Cassandra? Is this man really your boyfriend?"
Cassandra hesitated, the weight of her double life pressing down on her. She couldn't tell the truth - not yet. "It's... complicated, Uncle Lionel. He's... someone involved with my work."
Uncle Lionel's brow furrowed. "Work? What kind of work do you do, Cass?"
Before Cassandra could answer, Antonio's voice called from outside, interrupting their conversation. “Cassandra, are you ready? We need to get going.”
Cassandra glanced at the door, then back at her uncle. "Please trust me, Uncle Lionel. I will explain everything later."
Uncle Lionel sighed but nodded. "Very well. Take care, Cassandra."
When Cassandra came out of the house, she saw Aunt Marry chatting with Antonio. From the expression on her face, Cassandra could immediately draw the conclusion that Aunt Marry really liked Antonio;and the money he had.“Mom, I have to go now.”Aunt Marry continued her act, pretending to be Cassandra's mother. Patting Cassandra lightly on the shoulder, Aunt Marry let Antonio take her daughter's hand and said, “You should be back before morning. Don't forget to use safety. OK?"But Cassandra chuckled lazily at Aunt Marry's ambiguous words. She was indeed a gold digger, but she should have covered that up so as not to be obvious. But Cassandra couldn't blame Aunt Marry either, as Antonio's limousine was a real eye-catcher. Antonio opened the door for Cassandra, then led her to get into the passenger seat.Cassandra stepped carefully, she sat down and realized that they were not alone in the limo. There was a man, he was the driver, and more precisely it was Ben. But Cassandra was really
CHAPTER 10Cassandra quickly recounted the events of the night, leaving nothing out. Jessica listened intently, her expression growing more incredulous by the minute.“Marriage proposal?” Jessica said, after Cassandra had finished. “And a million dollars a month? That's crazy.”“I know,” Cassandra agreed, sinking into a chair. "But think about it, Jess. If I marry him, I'll be able to get closer to him. I could find out what really happened to my parents. Maybe even gather enough evidence to bring him down."Jessica frowned, crossing her arms. "That's risky, Cass. Very risky. You're talking about living with a man who could be a murderer."“I know the risks,” Cassandra said firmly. "But this might be our best chance. I can't let what he did go unpunished."Jessica sighed, running a hand through her hair. "If you're sure about this, then I'll support you. But you have to be careful. We need a plan."Cassandra nodded. "A plan. And I need you to help me stay grounded. Remind me why I'm d
The sound of the door opening caught the attention of Uncle Lionel and Aunt Marrie. They were having a light conversation when the girl they considered their own daughter joined them. Cassandra leaned back on the sofa."You look tired," Uncle Lionel remarked, folding the newspaper he had just finished reading and placing it on the table. Lowering his reading glasses, he looked at Cassandra with concern. "Taking care of criminals again today?"Cassandra nodded. "Yeah, this city really is full of criminals, Uncle. By the way, are you busy?""No. I just finished reading the paper. Some things were interesting, but no, I’m not busy. Is there something you need to talk to me about?"Glancing nervously toward Aunt Marrie, Cassandra slowly nodded.Beside her, Aunt Marrie, with her usual scowl, sighed heavily and lazily rolled her eyes. "I’ll take care of the pigs. You two finish your conversation," she said flatly, standing and smoothing her worn apron. "After you're done, you better help me
Cassandra woke up from her sleep, having spent the night at Jessica Wallan's house.The morning sunlight started to slip through the window curtains. Her body felt stiff, but her mind and heart felt calmer after the long conversation with Jessica the previous night. In the quiet morning atmosphere, Cassandra reflected on the steps she needed to take next. The contract marriage with Antonio Franches was imminent, and she knew time was running out.Cassandra stretched her body, then rubbed her face with both hands. A mixture of anxiety and hope still filled her heart.Recalling each step she had planned, she realized this plan could not fail. She needed courage and calm more than ever.Slowly, she got out of bed, walking toward the small vanity table in the corner of the room. Her gaze rested on her reflection in the mirror. Her brown eyes looked tired but held a strong determination behind all the doubt.Cassandra lowered her head briefly, clutching a small necklace around her neck—the
Cassandra stepped out of Jessica’s house, carefully closing the door to avoid making any noise. The morning was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind accompanying her steps toward her car.Once she reached the driver’s seat, she opened the door, sat down, and took a deep breath as if trying to calm her mind before diving into a challenging day. Her eyes were still half-asleep when she accidentally glanced at the second-floor balcony of Jessica’s house. There, Jessica stood, wearing her burgundy kimono, accompanied by a man with an athletic build. He wore a black shirt and ripped jeans, his hair tousled but styled to look that way.From inside her car, Cassandra could see them kissing—long and intense, as if they didn’t care about the world around them. The man cupped Jessica’s face with both hands, and Jessica laughed softly between kisses, her trademark mischievous smile returning to her face. They looked like a couple caught in temporary happiness, which Cassandra knew
Cassandra clenched her jaw, swallowing the unease swirling in her mind. "Alex, you have to take me to forensics," she said quickly, trying to steady herself. "I need to see his body myself."Alexander nodded silently, understanding that his friend and partner needed assurance. They walked briskly down the police station’s hallway, which now felt even quieter, as if the silence held dark secrets. Their footsteps echoed on the cold, tiled floor as they finally arrived at the forensic room’s door. But before Cassandra could open it, a familiar figure emerged—Detective Martinez, the head of the police.Martinez closed the door behind him, removing his medical mask with a heavy sigh. His tired eyes met Cassandra’s, and he immediately realized the young woman was there to learn more about what had happened. "Detective Baker," he greeted in a low voice, "you shouldn’t be here."Cassandra ignored Martinez’s words and looked at him sharply. "I need to see Cale Callaghan’s body. I have to confi
Cassandra sat lost in thought at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen displaying the last files on Cale Callaghan. Her hand propped up her chin as her mind raced in circles. Cale's death had hit hard, shattering all the plans and leads she had meticulously gathered.Cassandra had intended to connect this case to Antonio Franches. She was convinced Cale held the answers regarding Antonio’s involvement in Michael Foster’s murder. But now, with Cale’s sudden and mysterious death, everything felt chaotic. The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. She opened an electronic file on her computer, browsing through Cale’s interrogation notes and the reports on illegal transactions she had uncovered.There was no direct evidence pointing to Antonio, but Cassandra knew—there was something beneath the surface. Cale wouldn’t have just given up and committed suicide. In her head, she replayed everything. What if someone had forced Cale to stay silent? Or, worse, what
Antonio Franches sat in his black leather chair, slowly spinning the ring on his finger. His office was dimly lit, with only the soft glow of a desk lamp illuminating the stacks of files on the mahogany desk. Antonio’s face remained cold, emotionless, but his sharp gaze conveyed an aura of unbroken control.In the silence, the office door opened with a soft click. A tall man with neatly cropped dark hair stepped in—it was Ben, his right-hand man, the one who always carried out orders without question. Without any pleasantries, Ben approached, slipping his hands into his pants pockets and reporting in a low tone, "Cale Callaghan is dead in custody."Antonio lifted his icy gaze, showing no sign of surprise, as though he’d predicted this outcome long before Ben reported it. He leaned back in his chair with slow movements, turning the ring on his finger once more, this time with a slower rhythm, as if counting time in his mind. "What’s the status?" Antonio asked, his voice low and control
Edward Novaries sat in his chair, his jaw clenched tight, eyes burning with madness and fury. In front of him, a group of men from various mafia organizations sat around a circular table. Some of them looked hesitant, while others stared at him with disbelief. Antonio had destroyed all his financial networks, burned his businesses to the ground.Now, he had no choice but to seek new allies. His gaze flicked to the right, where Hernando Diaz, a Colombian cartel boss, lounged lazily in his seat. Across from him sat Rafael Montenegro, head of the Spanish syndicate, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable. Edward exhaled sharply before speaking.“We all have one common enemy—Antonio Franches and The Silver Thorn. If we don’t act now, he’ll take us down one by one.”Hernando scoffed.“You talk big, Edward. We all know who Antonio is and what his men are capable of. He’s not just another threat—he’s a goddamn killing machine.”“You expect us to go against a man who never fail
Inside the secret meeting room, the air was thick with tension. Dim lights cast shadows over the serious faces surrounding the massive mahogany table. Antonio’s five top agents—Marcus, Ben, Dominic, Silvio, and Luca—sat with tense expressions, ready to take orders from their leader. But tonight, there was someone different in the room. Cassandra. Normally, Antonio wouldn’t allow her to be part of meetings like this. But tonight was different. She was the only living witness to the tragic accident that took her parents' lives. Antonio wanted her here—to hear firsthand how they were going to hunt Edward Novaries down and drag him out of whatever hole he was hiding in. Cassandra sat beside Antonio, her hands clenched in her lap, trying to conceal the nervousness creeping into her. Marcus, Antonio’s most trusted man, started the discussion.“Edward keeps slipping through our fingers. We almost had him after the tanker explosion, but he got away.”Dominic took a slow sip of his coffee, his
The dark night sky was illuminated by the faint glow of city lights. The cold air was biting, but nothing could compare to the heat of tension that surrounded the scene. The sound of police sirens grew louder, inching closer with every second, signaling that Edward Novaries' time was running out. With steady breaths and an unshaken expression, Edward assessed his surroundings. A few of Antonio’s men remained in their battle-ready positions, but they knew the police would be there any moment. Antonio, injured but standing tall, clutched his throbbing arm from the previous fight. His eyes burned with fury as he stared at Edward.“You have nowhere to run, Edward.”Edward simply smirked, as if he still held control of the situation.“Antonio, Antonio… You still think this is a game you can win?”He sighed.“I’ve always been one step ahead of you.”Cassandra, standing beside Alexander, clenched her fists.“You’re a coward! All you do is hide behind your dirty tricks!”Edward turned his gaz
The sky was still gray as Cassandra and Alexander left Aunt Marrie’s house. The remnants of last night’s rain lingered on the streets, making the air cooler and damp. Trees along the road dripped with water, their leaves still wet. Cassandra sat quietly in the passenger seat, her gaze vacant as she stared out the window. Her heart was a storm of fear and determination. She was getting closer to uncovering the truth, but she also knew that each step forward brought her into more danger than she had ever imagined. Alexander, driving with sharp focus, stole occasional glances at her. He understood how heavy this journey was for Cassandra."We can stop now if you want, Cass,"Alexander said softly but firmly."This isn’t an easy road."Cassandra turned to him, her eyes burning with unshakable resolve."I’m not stopping, Alex," she said firmly."Not until I find out who killed them."Alexander studied her for a moment before sighing. He knew she wouldn’t change her mind."Alright. But prom
Cassandra stood on Aunt Marrie’s porch, staring at the dark sky with empty eyes. The night wind blew through her loose hair, but she barely felt it. Her mind was consumed by one thing—the bitter truth that her parents had never truly been free from the world they tried to leave behind. Behind her, footsteps approached. Alexander appeared, carrying two cups of hot tea."You haven’t come inside,"he said, his voice soft but watchful."It’s freezing out here."Cassandra didn’t respond right away. She took the cup without looking, taking a small sip. The warmth should have spread through her body, but the cold inside her refused to leave."They just wanted a normal life," she murmured finally, pain thick in her voice."But they were never allowed to escape."Alexander stood beside her, gazing out at the empty street."Cass…"He hesitated before saying,"I know this hurts. But if you want answers, we can start digging into their past."Cassandra tightened her grip on the cup."I have to fi
Alexander’s car sped down the empty road toward the small village where Aunt Marrie lived. Inside the vehicle, Cassandra sat silently, her eyes gazing out the window while her mind wandered far away. Her fingers fidgeted on her lap, restless, reflecting the chaos in her thoughts. Alexander glanced at her briefly, noticing the unease she made no effort to hide."I don’t know if I’m ready to hear this,"Cassandra finally spoke, her voice quiet and uncertain. Alexander kept his eyes on the road, but his voice was steady."It’s better you know now than spend the rest of your life wondering."Cassandra took a deep breath, trying to steady herself."I’m just afraid… what if the truth is worse than I imagined?"Alexander finally turned to her, his eyes serious, filled with something Cassandra couldn’t quite decipher."No matter what it is, I’ll be here with you."Cassandra swallowed hard. Alexander had always been there for her. No matter how many times she ignored him, pushed him away, even
NYPD Headquarters –The Second Shocking Package That morning, Cassandra sat at her desk, her eyes still locked onto the documents she had received days ago. The truth about her parents’ deaths lingered in her mind like an unshakable fog. Even now, she didn’t know whether to trust Antonio or the documents she had been given. But everything changed when a mail officer arrived at her office again."Detective Cassandra, there’s another package for you."Cassandra frowned, her head snapping up."What?"Another package? The officer placed a plain brown box on her desk, just like the last one—no postage stamps, no sender information. Her heartbeat quickened as she reached for it. With trembling hands, Cassandra ripped open the seal and lifted the lid. Inside was a thick stack of documents, even more disturbing than the first. Her eyes scanned the bold text on the first page:"Subject: Marvin Carter""Status: Trusted Agent of The Silver Thorn"Cassandra’s eyes widened. No… this couldn’t be… H
New York –The City Rising from Darkness Weeks after the downfall of Leonardo’s Mafia, New York was finally beginning to rise from the ruins of chaos. Citizens who had once fled returned to the city, trying to rebuild the lives they had left behind. Destroyed offices were being renovated, businesses were reopening, and the once bloodstained streets were now filled with pedestrians again. The media headlines painted a narrative of victory."NYPD Successfully Fights Crime and Restores Peace!""Leonardo and His Criminal Empire Crumble – New York is Safe Again!"On television screens, Police Commissioner O’Connor was seen smiling triumphantly as he accepted an award from the Mayor of New York. Meanwhile, in one of the skyscrapers overlooking the entire city, Antonio Franches sat leisurely on the balcony of his mansion. He gazed at the city he had saved, but there were no awards for him. No speeches, no medals. That’s just how the world worked. Marcus arrived with a bottle of whiskey, pour
Back at the Mansion –A Calming Night The night air was cold as Antonio’s car finally passed through the gates of his mansion. From a distance, several of Antonio’s men stood on high alert, ready to welcome their leader home. Marcus quickly stepped beside the car as Antonio opened the door, gently pulling Cassandra out. Cassandra looked exhausted, her face slightly pale after hours on that desolate island. But the moment she gazed at Antonio, her eyes filled with warmth and gratitude."You’re safe now,"Antonio whispered, his hand still gripping her waist firmly. Cassandra gave a small nod, still feeling the tension lingering in her body. Marcus observed them for a moment before speaking."Boss, we still need to stay on guard. Leonardo could retaliate at any moment."Antonio nodded without taking his eyes off Cassandra."Increase security around the mansion. Make sure no one gets close without my knowledge."Marcus nodded and immediately relayed orders to the rest of the team. Meanwhi