Chapter 318

The sleek black sedan came to a smooth halt by the curb.

Liam carefully adjusted Evelyn's head against the seat before stepping out and switching places with Rosalind.

As Rosalind settled into the backseat and clicked her seatbelt, her gaze flickered toward Evelyn, who was clearly feigning sleep.

She couldn't help but think Evelyn, with her respectable position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should know better than to act this way. Only someone as oblivious as Liam would fail to notice. No wonder Cassandra seemed so troubled.

With a quiet scoff, Rosalind rolled up the window and leaned against it, watching the city lights blur past as the car moved again.

Cassandra shifted slightly, tension coiling in her shoulders. Yet as she stared ahead, her mood gradually lightened.

After what felt like an eternity, Evelyn finally opened her eyes. She frowned at Cassandra and Liam in the front seats, biting her lip before closing her eyes again, resuming her charade.

Dusk had settled over Aldenria by the time they arrived.

The car stopped in front of Blackwood Manor, directly across from Hudson Estate. With a polite word of thanks, Evelyn stepped out and disappeared into the night.

Liam unbuckled his seatbelt but didn’t move. After a beat of silence, his voice softened. "Still interested in trying my homemade cake?"

Cassandra hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She wanted to say yes—desperately—but the weight of recent events pressed down on her.

"Maybe another time," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The words came out colder than she intended, and Liam visibly deflated, sinking back into his seat with a quiet exhale.

He wasn’t ready to let go. "When, then?"

Cassandra lowered her head, silence stretching between them like an unbridgeable chasm.

Liam waited, his hope dwindling with each passing second. He would have walked through fire for her, faced any danger—if only she’d asked. But she didn’t. The realization that she didn’t need him cut deeper than any blade.

Without another word, he pushed open the door and stepped out, walking away without looking back.

Cassandra lifted her gaze, unshed tears glistening as she watched him disappear into the night. Her chest ached with the weight of everything left unsaid.

Rosalind slid back into the driver’s seat, sensing Cassandra’s turmoil. She didn’t press. Starting the engine, she pulled away swiftly, leaving the tension hanging thick in the air.

By the time they reached Wright Manor, dinner was already in full swing.

Cassandra and Rosalind entered the dining room, offering polite greetings to Archibald and Margaret. Archibald’s eyes crinkled with warmth, his smile inviting, while Margaret and Victoria exchanged exasperated glances.

Julian’s expression remained unreadable as his gaze flickered between Cassandra and Archibald.

"Evelyn, Rosalind, you must be starving. Join us," Archibald said warmly.

Rosalind didn’t hesitate, taking her seat with a grateful nod. "Thank you."

Cassandra offered a small smile as she gracefully settled into her chair.

Archibald set down his fork, leaning toward her with genuine curiosity. "Where have you been these past few days?"

Cassandra shrugged casually. "Just exploring a few tourist spots."

His smile softened. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

She nodded. "It was nice."

"Good. After dinner, give me your number—I’d like to stay in touch."

"Of course."

Archibald beamed. "Now, eat. You must be starving."

Margaret and Victoria exchanged stunned looks.

Archibald had always been stern, his authority unquestioned. Yet here he was, speaking to an outsider with a tenderness they’d never seen before.

Margaret narrowed her eyes. "Archibald, have you lost your mind?"

Victoria slammed her fork down, pouting. "Grandpa, I’m your actual granddaughter, and you’ve never been this sweet to me. What’s going on? Are you having an affair with her?"

The room went deathly silent.

Even Julian looked like he wanted to vanish into the floor.

Margaret smacked the table, her face red with fury. "How dare you!"

The sudden noise made Cassandra flinch, her brows knitting together as she studied Margaret.

She’d always known Margaret was blunt, but this level of thoughtlessness was staggering. Did she even realize how reckless her words were?