Chapter 11
Cassie hung around Julia’s room for a bit, and just as she was about to look for a reason to leave, Julia’s phone suddenly buzzed.
Julia glanced at it and quickly grabbed it, shielding the screen like she was afraid Cassie would see something important. “Cassie, I need some alone time,” she said softly.
Cassie’s eyes drifted to the phone tucked behind Julia’s back. She didn’t need to think twice to know Simon was calling.
Just hearing his name felt like a punch to her heart. Ever since Cassie found out the truth, any feelings she had for him had turned to pure disdain and hatred.
“Alright, take your time. Don’t overthink things,” Cassie replied.
Julia nodded, “Okay”
Then Cassie stepped out of the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, Julia quickly answered the phone-it was Simon. “Why did you take so long?” Simon’s frustrated voice came through the line
“Cassie was here, Julia whispered.
“What’s the deal with that video going viral? I heard it spread everywhere, even to Cassie’s birthday party?” Simon sounded serious, even angry.
“This is too complicated to explain in just a few words. It feels like someone’s targeting us,” Julia said through clenched teeth. There was a short pause before Simon fired back, “Julia, didn’t you say everything was under control? I won’t even mention how that video got out, but now you’re telling me we’re being targeted? What’s going on? Are you trying to ruin everything?
Compared to the Murphy family, Simon’s family was pretty normal. If anyone in the Murphy family caught wind of his schemes against Cassie, it could spell big trouble for him. Realizing that, the usually calm Simon began to show his true colors.
Julia had expected Simon to get jealous or mad about the video, but this reaction made her heart sink deeply.
“What do you mean, Simon? I’m doing all this for you!” Julia shot back. “If your people hadn’t messed up last night, none of this would have happened. I wouldn’t have been filmed! You’re my boyfriend, and all you can think about is yourself? What kind of man are you?”
Before Simon could reply, Julia pressed on fiercely, “We’re in this together now. Even if you regret it, there’s no backing out. If you want to pull out, you better make sure the people behind this are okay with that.”
Julia!” Simon shouted into the phone, shocked that she had the nerve to threaten him.
Julia was done with it and hung up immediately. Recalling everything that had gone down in the last couple of days, she shook with anger. It took her a moment to catch her breath and calm herself.
Now that things had escalated this far, there was no way she was backing down. She had already been through so much, both mentally and physically. Her plan had to move forward-at all costs. She needed to take down Murphy Group.
In today’s fast-paced online world, no amount of money could completely hide a scandal, especially when it involved juicy details about wealthy families. Even though the Murphy family had tried to scrub trending topics and block video links, the news still spread like wildfire.
“Julia has always been such a sweet kid. How could this happen to her?” Anne was frazzled. She turned to Cassie and asked, “Cassie, you’re always with Julia. Did you notice anything weird?
Cassie shook her head
Actually, Julia’s mother, Selena Cortez, wasn’t Anne’s biological sister. Selena had been a close friend of Anne’s since childhood, and when Anne became famous, Selena worked as her assistant. That was how Selena met Julia’s father, who Wis a director.
Tragically, Julia’s father had a serious gambling problem that led to Selena’s untimely death. Anne always felt guilty about it, thinking if it weren’t for her fame, Selena wouldn’t have ended up with such a jerk. That guilt made Anne treat Julia like her own daughter.
“You two are supposed to be best friends, and Julia takes care of you all the time. Why can’t you show her a little more concern?” Anne faced Cassie with disappointment.
“Enough” Heston cut in, his tone firm. Julia can make her own choices. Cassie cannot be with her every minute, right?”
Anne’s expression fell, but she didn’t argue with Heston.
Knowing Anne, Cassie figured that telling her Julia was trying to ruin her family would be pointless. Anne wouldn’t believe it So, Cassie chose to stay quiet. She could see that Anne meant well. On the night of Cassie’s accident in her previous life, Anne had been much more distraught than she was now.
“Sweetheart, it’s been a long day. Why don’t you head to your room and get some rest? We can talk tomorrow,” Lucas said gently to Cassie. He noticed her silence, and his heart ached for her.
“Okay.” Cassie nodded softly and slipped out of the room without another word.
Once Cassie was out of sight, Heston turned to Anne, his expression serious. “Anne, you know how close Cassie and Julia are, After everything that happened, Cassie must be heartbroken. Why said that to her? Don’t you care about how she feels?”
“Did I say something wrong?” Anne frowned. “Julia is just an ordinary girl who hardly ever goes out, except for school. Who could she have possibly offended to end up in this mess? Dad, don’t you think Julia is taking the fall for Cassic?”
“That’s ridiculous.” Heston raised her voice, scolding her sharply
“Alright,” Lucas interjected, stepping between them. “Things are chaotic enough outside. Why are we fighting among ourselves? If Cassie hears this, it’s only going to upset her more
Heston paused before continuing, “Anne, Cassie likes you and is trying to mend things with you. Why push her away even more? It’s her eighteenth birthday today. With a sigh of disappointment, Heston left the room.
As Anne sat there, her thoughts drified, her tears pricking at her eyes.
Cassie walked back to her room and unlocked her phone. After checking the online comments calmly, she tossed the phone aside and noticed a black velvet box on the table-the gift from Marcus.
Cassie knew Marcus was a dangerous man she should keep her distance from, but there was something about him that was just too intriguing.
Why did Marcus want to buy the Murphy Group but back out just before the deal was done? She didn’t know him at all, so why would he risk everything for her in a past life? Did he really have a split personality? And what was in the velvet box?
I’m just gonna take a quick look. I can still keep my distance, Cassie murmured. But as she opened the box, she was shocked.
Inside the box were a pair of diamond earrings and a matching diamond necklace. The earrings featured delicate tassels adorned with stars and moons, and the necklace was decorated in a similar style.
Stars and moons had been her favorite things since childhood. These pieces didn’t look overly expensive, but they were. stunning and matched her starlit gown for tonight perfectly.
What really surprised her wasn’t how beautiful the gift was. It was that in her past life, she had received the exact same items and had cherished them like treasures for years. They were the first gifts Simon had ever given her, and he claimed he had made them by hand.
So, Simon lied? If he had crafted them, then where did this gift from Marcus come from?’ she thought, feeling a chill in her heart.
She snapped the box shut, tossed it aside, and lay back on her bed, reflecting on everything that had happened in the past few days. She still felt like it was all a dream.
After being transported back from the pain of her pst life, Ca**ic was determined not to let hatred consume her. She needed to improve herself and her family and strengthen Murphy Group.
Dealing with the jerks like Julia and Simon was just a minor distraction. The real challenges lay ahead, and that was what mattered most
The next morning, the entrance to the estate was packed with reporters. Since the Murphy family refused interviews, some journalists attempted to sneak in footage with drones. The s**nts had shot several of them down early on.
At the dining table, Julia sat with a pale face, looking down. Tm so sorry. It’s all my fault. Grandpa Heston, how about you just say I’m not related to the Murphy family? I don’t want my issues to affect Murphy Group.”
“What are you talking about?” Heston replied sternly. “Why worry about those reporters? Just relax and stay home for now. You and Cassie won’t be going to school for a few days. I’ll arrange for the teachers to come to you”
“Yeah, Julia. The news gets updated fast, and there’s always a ton of new stories. Before long, everyone will forget about this.” Lucas is assured her.
Julia wiped her tears. “Grandpa Heston, can I pick my own teacher! I don’t want to meet any strangers.”
“That’s totally fine, Heston responded. “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”
Thank you, Grandpa Heston, Julia choked out.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
Meanwhile, Cassie sat quietly at the table, just like every other morning, eating her breakfast. Picking teacher? Oh, I almost forgot. Isn’t that how Simon initially entered my life as a tutor?’