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Orlando didn’t answer the question, but his expression grew cold. He said with narrowed eyes, “I’ll give you a lift back to the hospital, Rebecca.”
“Are you angry, Landy? Are you upset that Cassandra got mad? You can tell me the truth. i won’t blame you, and I know there’s no changing whatever you and Cassandra have done during your one year of marriage. If you told me now that you loved her, I would leave and never pester you.” Rebecca was getting emotionally overwhelmed as she fixed her gaze on Orlando, waiting for an answer.
Orlando regarded her impassively and asked mildly, “What are you worried about, Rebecca? Didn’t I tell you I’d divorce Cassandra and marry you? You’re not hoping that I’d fall in love with her and cut ties with you instead, are you? If that’s what you want, I could always give it a try, how about it?”
“No, Landy, that’s not what I meant.” Rebecca clutched Orlando’s hand with urgency. “I’m just scared that you’d abandon me. Can’t you hurry up and divorce Cassandra already? I’m really scared…”
“When did you get so insecure, Rebecca?” Orlando looked down at the once–confident woman in front of him. She had become such an anxious wreck that he could hardly recognize her anymore.
Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Cassandra and Gabriela got into the car. Gabriela looked at the former apologetically and said, “I’m sorry for the way Orlando behaved, Cassie. He was completely in the wrong. I’ll make him go back to the Quinn manor tonight and give him a good talking–to. In the meantime, don’t bottle up your feelings and tell me any concerns you have, okay?”
Cassandra merely shook her head with a smile. “I’m fine, Gabriela, don’t worry. I’ll drop you off at the hospital.”
“Alright.” Gabriela was still worried, but she did not know what else she could say in this. situation. Objectively speaking, Orlando was completely in the wrong to have done something like this. She had caught him in the act this time, but she was sure there were others where he got up to this in secret.
Cassandra’s reaction had told Gabriela everything she needed to know. She could only imagine just how much hurt Cassandra had been put through. Although Orlando was Gabriela’s son, she, as a woman, would not condone his unreasonable behavior.
After pulling up at the hospital, Cassandra said, “I won’t be going in, Gabriela. I’ll leave it to you and Frederick to take care of Grandpa Peter. If anything happens, please let me
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know immediately.”
“Okay,” Gabriela replied. “Don’t worry and drive safe.”
“I will. Gabriela… Before Cassandra could get her words out, her stomach churned and she retched. No vomiting ensued, but her face was drained of color as she muttered without looking at Gabriela, “Go in, Gabricla.”
Gabriela stayed in place and pressed worriedly, “Cassie, are you okay? Are you unwell?”
“My stomach’s been feeling funny these days, but I’ve seen the doctor. I’m fine, don’t worry,” Cassandra reassured hurriedly, cutting off anything Gabriela might have said in
response.
Without thinking much about this, Gabriela simply accepted Cassandra’s explanation and told the latter to take care of herself before walking into the hospital.
It was only after Gabricla was out of carshot that Cassandra let out a breath of relief. She thought, Thank goodness she didn’t catch on.”
In the ward, Gabriela tossed her purse somewhere and said unhappily to Frederick, “Do you have any idea what that unreasonable son of yours did? It’s no wonder Cassie wants to divorce him!”
Frederick, who adored and spoiled Gabriela, gave her a gentle look as he poured her a glass of water. “Tell me all about it.”
Gabriela did just that without leaving any details behind.
When Frederick had heard the whole story, he grew somber and bit out icily, “That boy thinks he’s a big man now, huh? Tell him to go back to the Quinn manor tonight.”
Gabriela quickly made the call, muttering under her breath, “I don’t know where he gets it from. No one in our family would behave this way! You don’t think we brought home. the wrong baby from the hospital back then, do you?”
Frederick frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
At that moment, the call was put through and Gabriela snapped, “Orlando, we’re having a family meeting tonight at the Quinn manor. You’d better show up or you’ll regret it!”
“Mom…” Orlando said on the other line
“What? Not going to listen to your own mother anymore?” Frederick took the phone and immediately cut Orlando off, warning, “You’d better stay in line, kid. Don’t forget
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who you are and what you’re representing now. Everything you do no longer concerns yourself, but the entire Quinn family and Quinn Group. More importantly, your grandfather’s pride and dignity are at stake here!”
Orlando said sullenly, “Dad, don’t listen to Mom. I didn’t do anything.”
“Still denying, are we? Do you want me to meet that woman myself?” Frederick threatened.
“Got it. I’ll go back to the manor tonight,” Orlando conceded. He had only just said this when his father hung up, leaving him exasperated and frowning.
Seeing this, Rebecca probed gently, “What is it, Landy?”
“Nothing,” he answered glumly.
“Are your parents angry with you because of me?” she asked.
“No, don’t think too much about this,” Orlando said without much feeling.
Rebecca was not reassured. She had only just returned to the ward with Orlando when she saw how grim he looked. Growing uneasy, she pressed, “What will we do if your parents won’t let us get married after you divorce Cassandra?”
Orlando looked at Rebecca with narrowed eyes. “Didn’t I tell you that this isn’t something you should worry about? Seeing as your manager’s here, I’ll leave you guys to talk. See you.”
Rebecca did not stop him and simply nodded in response.
When he had left the room, Rebecca’s face darkened. Sophia, her manager, asked, “You’re surprisingly obliging, Rebecca. You weren’t like this with him before.”
‘Before?‘ Rebecca pondered on this. She used to be demanding, often making Orlando. compromise or give in to her whims.
But things were different now.
Rebecca said, “Orlando and I haven’t spent time with each other for over a year, Sophia.. Now that he’s finally agreed to divorce Cassandra and marry me, it’s my last chance to work things out with him. I know I can’t let him have his way all the time, but what else can I do?”
“Men are simple creatures, Sophia drawled. “All you have to do is be your alluring, confident self.”
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Rebecca’s eyes lit up with hope when she heard this.
It was nighttime, and Orlando returned to the Quinn manor as promised.
Naturally, he was berated, and Frederick even pointed at him while snapping, “Our family owes Cassie’s grandfather for saving your grandpa’s life. If it weren’t for him, you and I wouldn’t even be where we are right now. Your mother and I are grateful to Cassie, and you have no right hurting her!”
Orlando had grown tired of hearing this same old line. Nodding, he said, “Yes, you’re right.”
“If you really think I’m right, then cut ties with Rebecca! Grandpa hasn’t woken up yet, but if anything happens to him, are you sure you won’t regret it?”
After leaving the Quinn manor, Orlando got into his car without saying another word. His handsome face bore a downcast expression as Frederick’s words echoed in his mind, “Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
The more Orlando thought about it, the more sullen he became.
It was 7.00 p.m. when he reached Dustmeadow Mansion.
He had only just walked through the front door when Graham heard him and greeted, “Welcome home, Orlando. Have you had dinner? Cassie’s still eating. Would you like to join her?”
Hearing this, Orlando frowned, then hummed in response before walking toward the dining room.
As soon as he walked in, he saw Cassandra sitting at the dining table and chewing her food slowly. Their eyes met, but she looked away shortly and continued eating.
It was as if she did not see him at all.
Orlando stared at her and demanded, “What’s with that attitude, Cassandra?”
