Chapter 24
Orlando’s detached gaze made Cassandra’s heart hurt even more, as though the coldness in his eyes were shooting straight into her chest.
She looked at him blankly without saying a word.
They held eye contact with each other, but ultimately, he turned around and left the bedroom.
Their initially improved relationship also became tenser now.
‘He keeps denying what Rebecca said. So, did she lie?‘ Cassandra pondered in a terrible mood, her lips tightly compressed.
All night, Orlando didn’t return to the bedroom but didn’t leave Dustmeadow Mansion either. Cassandra knew that because she didn’t hear the sound of a car.
Just like that, neither of them gave in to each other. When Cassandra went downstairs the next morning, Orlando had already entered the car to head to work.
On the way there, Taylor glanced at Orlando, who looked impassive and had been silent in the backseat, through the rearview mirror several times as though he was hesitating to say something.
As time went on, Orlando finally noticed it. He asked flatly, “What is it?”
Taylor contemplated and still decided to report truthfully. “Mr. Quinn, something happened to Mrs. Quinn’s company. A smear campaign is ongoing on local forums, and it’s a pretty big deal. If it isn’t resolved properly, the company may be dissolved.”
Orlando frowned slightly, still looking apathetic. “Okay.”
Taylor revealed all the details he knew, then queried, “Should I get in touch with Hawley Real Estate?”
Orlando said nothing, compressing his thin lips in silence.
He recalled how Cassandra said she had called him yesterday and wondered if this was what she wanted to tell him.
Her anxious, aggrieved, and dejected expression flashed in his mind, making him feel gloomy.
He instructed flatly, “Turn the car around. We’ll go straight to Hawley Real Estate
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Chapter 24
instead.”
“Got it.” Taylor immediately turned the car around, floored the gas, and drove toward Hawley Real Estate’s office.
Meanwhile, Cassandra had just arrived at her workplace and hadn’t gotten to her office yet.
Michael had called her several times when she just arrived downstairs, but she didn’t answer, as she was in a bad mood and knew why exactly he was calling. She planned to talk face–to–face with him later.
At the sight of her, Michael immediately walked over and studied her inquisitively. “Cassie, did you ask Orlando to help with our problems?”
At once, Cassandra was reminded of that phone call and argument with Orlando last night. She forced a smile and shook her head. “No, I don’t plan to. Let’s settle this on our own. If worse comes to worst, we still have a trump card.”
Michael’s eyes were still fixed on Cassandra as his gentle face briefly stiffened imperceptibly. “Hawley Real Estate just called to apologize, and the partnership will continue. Andrew’s advertising company has been officially charged after it was suspected of false accusation and found to be involved in multiple cases of that.”
Cassandra was momentarily stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Hawley Real Estate said that?”
“Mm–hmm. I called you right after I got the call,” he said.
“Did they reveal anything else?” she probed.
Michael shook his head.
This totally shocked Cassandra, for she indeed did not tell Orlando about this, nor did she have the chance to. ‘Did he do this? I doubt so. After all, how could he have time to pay attention to my affairs? He only cares about Rebecca, she brooded.
Cassandra said indifferently, “Since it has been resolved, we’ll continue this partnership, then.”
“Cassie, did you really not ask for his help?” asked Michael.
“I didn’t,” she replied.
Michael aiant prove uten to short–change yourself.”
She smiled faintly. “I know. Don’t worry. I’m fine.”
Cassandra returned to her office but still didn’t understand who could’ve done this. After all, no one except Orlando had the ability to influence Hawley Real Estate’s decision, but she didn’t believe it was him.
While she ruminated, her phone rang.
It was Orlando calling.
After she answered the call with pursed lips, his low voice rang out. “Cassandra, why didn’t you tell me upfront about your troubles? Didn’t I say you could tell me if you need anything? Has Hawley Real Estate contacted you yet?”
Only at this moment did Cassandra realize he was truly the one who did it.
In reality, she was in a dilemma. She both wanted and didn’t want it to be him.
But regardless, she had to thank him. “Thank you, Orlando.”
“We’re married. No need to be so polite,” he said.
Orlando was as gentle as ever, but the word “married” was soon going to be irrelevant to them.
Cassandra clutched her chest, finding it so painful that she couldn’t breathe, as if she would run out of air in the next second.
His gentle voice continued reverberating. “I didn’t deceive you or hide anything from you last night. I did simply accompany Rebecca to buy clothes. What I promised you will not be broken. Cassandra, you can trust me, all right?”
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