Chapter 1846: How to start?
Chapter 1846: How to start?
Kiara didn’t even know how she left the ward after Hugo kissed her forehead. Heck, she didn’t even know how she reached the villa where she and Cassandra were currently staying. She only realized when she finally stood in front of the entrance.
Standing in front of the door, Kiara instinctively touched her forehead.
“…” She pressed her lips into a thin line, holding her breath. Her face was still red at the thought of Hugo’s action.
“Why would he even do that?” she murmured, her mind foggy. “God… did he even know what he’s doing?”
Hugo did say something after that, but her mind seemed to block any other information.
A deep breath escaped her as she reached out to the front door, pushing it open. As soon as she walked in, she saw Cassandra and Grace in the receiving area. Both women immediately turned their heads to her, furrowing their brows upon noticing the redness of Kiara’s face.
“Ki.” Cassandra rose to her feet, a bit worried about her friend.
Up until now, Kiara and Cassandra hadn’t been talking as much, at least not like they used to. But that didn’t mean Kiara stopped helping with the case. She simply needed some time and space.
“What happened to you?” Grace tilted her head slightly. “You look like you’ve run a marathon.”
Kiara pursed her lips and forced a smile, holding her hands behind her. “Nothing! Well, I did run here because my scooter broke down earlier.”
“You should replace it,” Grace advised, not really dwelling on it. “Come. Cassandra and I were talking about the case, and I’m proposing the dismissal of it.”
“Oh.” Kiara’s mouth parted, and, pushing her thoughts aside, she walked toward them.
Once Kiara joined them, Grace continued the discussion. According to her, new evidence was going to be presented, and Grace would be pushing for the dismissal of the case. After all, the case was about Cassandra’s involvement with the illegal activities of the orphanage. And since Cassandra had nothing to do with that, Grace would pursue dismissal once the evidence was presented.
—
### Moments Later…
Grace didn’t stay long. She simply came by to inform them of the development in the case and her plans. After that, she bid the ladies farewell. Kiara and Cassandra sent her off.
Standing by the entrance, they watched Grace’s car leave until it was out of sight.
Cassandra turned her head to Kiara, pursing her lips, hesitant to approach her friend. But with her increasing worry, she spoke even before she could think twice about it.
“Ki, is everything okay?” she asked, biting her tongue when Kiara looked back at her. “I know your scooter didn’t break down.”
Kiara drew a deep breath before she nodded. “Of course. I just think it’s not that important.”
With that, Kiara turned on her heel to walk in and maybe do some paperwork for her company. After all, she had to maintain a close eye on her company even when she couldn’t physically be there. But before she could enter, Cassandra spoke.
“I’m sorry, Ki,” Cassandra blurted out, making Kiara stop in her tracks. “I’m really sorry. I know I screwed up, but please… give me a chance.”
Kiara’s brows knitted slightly before she faced her friend.
“Cassy, I’m not angry with you,” she said quietly. “And there’s no reason for you to apologize. What I found out by working on this case is disappointing, yes. But it hurt me more than it made me angry, because it made me question if I actually know you.”
She paused, staring at her friend. “But that doesn’t mean I stopped caring or loving you as a friend. And if you’re really sincere, who am I not to forgive and give chances?”
“Still, if you’re going to apologize, you should apologize to the people you hurt,” she added softly. “You hurt people deliberately, Cassy. Whether they forgive you or not is up to them, but apologize anyway. They deserve it.”
After saying her piece, Kiara resumed her steps and walked in. Everything she said came from her heart, knowing she wouldn’t be able to cut off Cassandra that easily. Cassandra might’ve hurt people, but for Kiara, she was still her dearest friend.
But a true friend, for her, was someone who would correct her friend even when that could risk their friendship.
Meanwhile, Cassandra pursed her lips as she stared at Kiara’s back. She lowered her head, rocking back and forth.
“It’s not like I don’t plan that…” she whispered, sighing heavily.
When she lifted her head, she gulped. “I just don’t know how to start.”
—
[Pierson Corporation: CEO’s Office]
Mark stood in front of Zoren’s desk, his back straight, hands behind him. He watched Zoren lean back, looking at him sternly.
“I know you’ve already heard about Atlas,” said Zoren. “I plan to hand him over to the Phantom Circle. There are still many members of the Circle who are highly involved in the underground, and bringing them in here is complicated, for they prefer their life as part of the Circle.”
He paused, assessing the unchanging look on Mark’s face. “I’m telling you this because you might want to join the others and offer your assistance to Atlas Bennet. He would need people — his own people.”
“Is that an order, sir?” Mark asked sternly.
“No,” Zoren shook his head. “It’s an option I’m giving the captain of the Phantom Circle.”
“Then, I would like to retire as the captain of the Phantom Circle and work as your bodyguard,” Mark answered without a second’s hesitation. “Or Miss Penny’s bodyguard.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir.”
A moment of silence fell between them as Zoren studied Mark. A moment later, the corners of his mouth curled into a satisfied smile, and he nodded.
“I’ll let Atlas know then,” he replied with a nod. “You’re dismissed.”
Mark lowered his head and, without a word, walked away. Once he was out, Zoren shook his head and chuckled. He then picked up a phone from the drawer, revealing an ongoing call on the screen.
Placing the phone to his ear, he said, “He is staying.”
“Yes!” Penny, who was in her company, cheered. “See? I told you! He likes working for me!”
Zoren chuckled, shifting his eyes to the door. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” she pouted. “Why, maybe?”
’Because in my first life, Mark sent his resignation letter once I ended Nathalie, and I was meant to lead the Zorken Family.’
The only reason Mark was still there with him on his last breath was because of his grace period. But he had already planned to leave Zoren’s side, which he didn’t blame him for.
Because in their first life, Zoren had given Mark and everyone around him permission to give him up. After all, how could others fight for him when Zoren himself couldn’t fight for himself?
A subtle smile turned up on his face, setting aside his thoughts and idly chatting with his wife on the phone.
One week had passed since that incident, and very slowly, their lives were returning to normal.