Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

+25 Bonus

“That maid suddenly bringing up something so serious–after all these years? She could have motives, Ashton. Motives to stir trouble within the Knowles family.” Her words were pointed.

“Suspicion,” Cassie said lightly, her lips curving into a faint, knowing smile, “is only dangerous to those with something to hide. What do you say, Madame Rima?”

The words were soft–but they struck true.

If looks could kill, Cassie would have died a thousand times over beneath the glare Rima leveled at her. The old woman’s eyes burned with fury, sharp enough to cut.

But the moment Ashton Pierce also turned toward her–calm, expectant, waiting–Rima had no choice. She inhaled, then forced a smile onto her stiffened features.

“If conducting an investigation will ease everyone’s suspicions,” Rima said graciously, though the effort showed in the tightness of her jaw, “then I see no issue with it. I am, after all, curious myself whether Sylvia’s claim holds any truth.”

Her smile wavered. Cracked. But did not fall.

“Mom!” Mirriam burst out, unable to contain herself. “How can you indulge this nonsense? Cassidy and this maid are clearly just stirring trouble!”

“Enough, Mirriam.” Rima’s glare snapped to her daughter–sharp, commanding, final. “Shut up.”

The sudden rebuke stunned the table into silence.

Cassie arched a brow, watching the exchange with quiet amusement. She saw it clearly now–the strain in Rima’s posture, the way her fingers trembled before curling into her napkin, the panic she was desperately trying to rein in.

And Cassie savored it. Just a little more pressure, she thought. And Rima Knowles might crack.

“Well,” Cassie said pleasantly, “I won’t disturb you any longer, Madame. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

She turned to Ashton and offered a polite, measured smile.

“Thank you for the help you’ve offered, CEO Pierce. We truly appreciate it. Please excuse us.”

With a slight bow, she walked away–unhurried, composed. Sylvia followed closely at her side.

Eyes trailed after them across the restaurant, whispers stirring in their wake. Cassie didn’t look back. She didn’t need to.

“Ashton, why don’t you join us for dinner?” Mirriam quickly called out, seizing the moment, her voice suddenly sweet with anticipation.

Ashton paused–only long enough to glance at her. Then he turned and walked away without a word. His

1/3

Chapter 81

+25 Bonus

assistant followed in step.

Mirriam’s face twisted as she slumped back into her chair, nails biting into her palm.

“That bitch,” she hissed under her breath, her sharp gaze fixed on Cassie, now seated at a far corner table.

“When did Ashton Pierce start favoring her?”

Rima’s friend leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

“Didn’t you notice?” she murmured. “CEO Pierce seems… smitten with Cassidy.”

Mirriam snapped her head toward the woman.

“What do you mean–smitten?”

“He looks at her with fondness,” the woman said carefully. “As if she were his woman. I could be mistaken, of course.”

“But you’re not,” another woman chimed in softly.

“I noticed it too. His indulgence, the way his eyes lingered on her. He’s never looked at anyone that way- not that I’ve seen.”

Silence fell.

Mirriam and Rima exchanged a look–one filled with fury, confusion, and something far more dangerous than either cared to admit. Unease.

“I can’t let that bitch get close to Ashton, Mom.” Mirriam’s fingers curled into tight fists beneath the table, her nails biting into her palms as she leaned closer.

Her voice was low–almost a whisper–but it trembled with venom.

“He suddenly turned cold toward me,” she said bitterly. “I waited for him for so long–endured everything. And then Cassie comes back out of nowhere, and he’s already favoring her?”

Her jaw clenched, teeth grinding together as jealousy burned hot in her chest. Every glance Ashton had spared Cassie replayed in her mind like an insult she couldn’t erase.

Rima’s expression hardened. She reached out, gripping Mirriam’s wrist and pulling her closer, her lips brushing her daughter’s ear.

“Then make sure CEO Wallace turns against her,” she murmured coldly. “That is the only way.” Mirriam stiffened, listening intently.

“Without CEO Wallace’s money,” Rima continued, her voice calm but ruthless, “she’ll have no protection. No backing. No place in this city. Strip that away, and she’ll be forced out on her own.”

Her fingers tightened, nails digging in as urgency crept into her tone.

2/3

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify