Sixty One

CHAPTER 61

That morning, the soft sunlight seeped through the curtains of Cassandra’s room, waking her from a restless sleep. Her body still felt drained after a night filled with tension. She sat at the edge of the bed for a moment, trying to steady her breath and prepare herself for a day that promised to be stressful.

After washing her face, Cassandra stepped out of her room and headed to the dining room. There, she found Ben already standing, casually leaning against the wall near the dining table, which was laden with lavish-looking dishes.

“Good morning, Cassandra,” Ben greeted, his tone relaxed, but his smile carried a hint of mockery.

Cassandra stared at him coldly. “Do you really need to stand here just to watch me?” she retorted sharply.

Ben chuckled softly and walked toward the table. “I’m just making sure everything is perfect. The chef I summoned has prepared breakfast per Antonio’s orders. All of this is for you, of course.”

Cassandra glanced at the food on the table with suspicion. The exquisite dishes only made her more wary. She returned her gaze to Ben, her expression unyielding. “Thank you for your attention,” she said flatly.

“Oh, one more thing,” Ben added, stepping closer. “Antonio will be back today. So, I suggest you look your best to welcome him.”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes, a faint, sarcastic smile playing on her lips. “Of course. You seem to care a lot about my appearance.”

Ben merely grinned. “Of course, I’m just doing my job. Don’t disappoint Antonio,” he said before turning around and leaving Cassandra alone in the dining room.

Once Ben was out of sight, Cassandra sprang into action. She inspected the food on the table meticulously, looking for anything suspicious. She knew that if Ben intended to harm her, anything could happen.

“I’m not eating this,” she muttered to herself. Quickly, Cassandra discarded all the food into the trash bin. Every piece of bread, fruit, and even the expensive wine on the table was thrown away without hesitation.

When she was done, she returned to her room. From a small drawer, she retrieved the key she had taken from Antonio’s study. Today, that key needed to go back to its original place before Antonio arrived. She wouldn’t let a single mistake jeopardize her plans.

With careful steps, Cassandra made her way to Antonio’s study. She ensured the hallway was empty before opening the door to the room. Inside, everything was as she had left it—silent and meticulously organized.

Cassandra quickly opened the hidden drawer and carefully placed the key back where it belonged. Her hands trembled slightly as she closed the drawer, but she managed to do so without leaving any trace. However, just as she was about to leave the room, footsteps approached.

She froze, holding her breath as she pressed her body against the door. The steps grew closer, then stopped just outside the room.

“Ben, do you need anything?” a female servant’s voice asked.

“No,” Ben replied lazily. “I’m just checking on things.”

The sound of footsteps receding brought Cassandra a wave of relief. She waited a few moments before slipping out of the room and calmly walking back to her bedroom.

In her room, she saw a deep red dress hanging on a rack near the bed. The attire was undoubtedly Ben’s choice, as Cassandra knew Antonio liked to see her in striking outfits. She gazed at the dress with restrained disgust.

“I have to wear it,” she muttered quietly, taking a deep breath before beginning to change.

Once she was ready, Cassandra stood in front of the mirror, ensuring her appearance was flawless. She looked perfect, just as Antonio would expect. But beneath the luxurious dress, Cassandra felt like she was donning battle armor. She didn’t know what the day would bring, but she was determined to stay strong.

A few hours later, the sound of a luxury car pulling into the driveway echoed through the house. Cassandra stood in the living room, ready to greet Antonio. The front door opened, and Antonio entered with his usual commanding presence. His smile widened when his eyes met Cassandra’s.

“Cassandra,” he greeted warmly. “You look stunning today.”

“Thank you, Antonio. Welcome back,” Cassandra replied softly, though her heart pounded faster than usual.

Antonio glanced at Ben, who stood in the corner of the room. “Did everything go smoothly while I was away?” he asked.

Ben nodded. “Of course. I made sure everything was as per your instructions.”

“Good,” Antonio said, turning his focus back to Cassandra. “I hope you enjoyed your time here. I have a lot to discuss with you.”

Cassandra gave a faint smile. “I’m looking forward to it, Antonio.”

Antonio gestured for a servant to bring a small box. When it was opened, a luxurious handbag adorned with diamonds was revealed.

“I got this for you in Mexico,” Antonio said, smiling.

Cassandra smiled slightly, masking her surprise. “It’s a beautiful bag, Antonio. Thank you,” she said, her gaze briefly flicking to Ben, who still lingered in the background.

“I just want to make sure you’re happy,” Antonio said softly.

Cassandra nodded, then remarked lightly, “Honestly, I feel a bit uncomfortable with Ben constantly hovering around us. Doesn’t he have other tasks to attend to?”

Antonio laughed heartily at her comment. He waved dismissively at Ben. “Ben, leave us. I’d like to speak privately with Cassandra.”

Ben hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. He shot Cassandra a glare filled with resentment before leaving the room.

“There’s no need for him to always be here,” Antonio said casually. “I prefer talking to you without interruptions.”

Cassandra offered a thin smile. “I agree. His presence can be... intimidating at times.”

The two continued their conversation in a more relaxed atmosphere. Antonio shared stories about his trip to Mexico—his business dealings and the people he met. But then, he suddenly shifted the topic.

“I thought about something while I was in Mexico,” Antonio said, his tone turning serious as he looked at Cassandra. “I’d like to invest in your family’s farm.”

Cassandra choked at his words, quickly grabbing a glass of water to calm herself. “My family’s farm?” she asked, trying to sound casual even as her heart raced.

“Yes,” Antonio replied. “I know they’ve been working hard, and I want to help them expand their business.”

Cassandra found it difficult to respond. Was this part of Antonio’s plan to exert control over her? Or was it simply a gesture of goodwill? She couldn’t tell, but she knew she had to tread carefully.

“Thank you for the offer, Antonio,” she said finally. “I’ll think about it.”

Antonio smiled, appearing satisfied with her response. “Good. I just want you to know that I care.”

Cassandra studied him, trying to discern what truly lay behind his words. The game was becoming increasingly intricate, and she would need to be more cautious than ever before.