Chapter 291

Evelyn looked perplexed. "Why can't you go?"

Victoria hesitated. She struggled to find the right words. Cassandra smirked and exited the sickroom without another word.

Of course Victoria couldn't enter Solterra. Surveillance systems blanketed the entire capital, with facial recognition technology that would flag her instantly. As one of Aldenria's most wanted fugitives, she'd be apprehended before taking three steps inside.

Even if she somehow dodged the cameras, Cassandra knew Victoria would never pass the biometric scans during documentation. Not to mention Victoria Dawson had been a top-secret researcher at Solterra's defense institute.

Cassandra ascended the stairs and nearly collided with Rosalind in the hallway.

"Young miss, I've delivered the clothes and meals to Mr. Blackwood," Rosalind whispered.

"Good." Cassandra nodded.

"Where were you just now?"

Cassandra gestured toward Donovan's room.

"How is the elder Mr. Dawson faring?"

Leaning close, Cassandra murmured, "Perfectly fine. It's all an act. With Victoria and Julian at each other's throats now, my grandparents are safe - for the moment."

"What do you mean?"

"Victoria won't risk involving them right now since Aldenrian law prohibits foreign nationals from inheriting property here." Cassandra's lips curved into a sly smile.

Understanding dawned on Rosalind's face. She blinked rapidly. "Miss Wright, you're absolutely brilliant."

"Take this chance to search Julian and Victoria's rooms. See if you can find any clues about my parents," Cassandra suggested.

"I'll go now."

"Be careful." Cassandra gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Understood."

As Cassandra turned toward her own room, Rosalind suddenly called out, "Miss Wright! I bought you some antiviral masks. Don't catch that flu going around."

Cassandra nodded guiltily before entering. Wearing masks now seemed pointless after sharing medicine and water with Liam last night. She locked the door behind her.

Liam stood by the rain-lashed window, dressed in dark casual wear, hands buried in his pockets. His tall frame cast a lonely silhouette against the storm-darkened glass.

A heavy silence filled the room. Cassandra moved to stand beside him, watching trees bend violently in the gale outside.

"Liam, you should be resting. Did you take your medication?" Her gaze traced his sharp profile.

His expression remained somber, yet his voice softened remarkably. "I'm fine."

"You collapsed last night. That's not fine."

"Donovan's awake," Liam said abruptly.

Cassandra grabbed his arm excitedly. "Really? Is he out of danger? How is he? What did the doctors say?"

Liam turned to study her radiant smile, recognizing genuine concern for his brother. "I just received word. Haven't seen him yet."

"I want to visit him too." Cassandra released his arm, her smile fading as she glanced at the torrential downpour. "But we're trapped here in this weather."

A bitter smile touched Liam's lips as he wrestled with the ache in his chest.