The Returned Heiress Who Had It All (Cassia) novel Chapter 5

The auction hall, once buzzing with noise, suddenly went dead silent. Everyone stared in disbelief.
Is she out of her mind? Did she think money grow on trees? A ruby that small is actually worth 600 million dollars?
People whispered to each other, shaking their heads. Maybe she'd lost her mind.
Every eye turned to Cassia and Jake. Most of them probably thought the two were fools.
Cassia's lips twitched. She was speechless. It was her money. She could spend it however she wanted. But everyone was looking at her like she was a circus act.
She glanced at Jake. He raised his hand helplessly, like saying, "What can I do?"
Yeah, Cassia just couldn't do something in low profile.
Six hundred million! That's wild!
Jake's heart was still pounding like crazy.
"Six hundred million, going once! Going twice ... Sold!"
The auctioneer slammed the gavel. "Congratulations, Mr. Madron, for winning the ruby!"
Applause broke out. Jake wore a complicated look. He was the errand boy here. The real boss was Cassia.
With everyone staring in envy, he went to handle the paperwork.
"Once you get the ruby, put it in a bank safe," Cassia instructed quietly. "I'll need it later."
"Got it. Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Serving Cassia was an honor; plenty of people would've killed for that chance.
Cassia nodded. "Thanks. I'm heading out."
Jake flashed her an OK sign. He knew she was always busy.
Cassia stood, turned to leave, and bumped straight into a man's chest.
It was Draven. He looked as if he had been standing there on purpose.
A wave of masculine scent surrounded her.
Cassia stopped instantly and looked up at him.
Their eyes met. Draven's gaze was dark and unreadable.
"What's the matter? Can't get enough of me?" He murmured, his lips curving with faint mockery. His warm breath brushed against her ear.
Cassia flinched, her brows knitting. Then she stepped back and said coolly, "Hey! Get out of my way!"
She knew exactly who he was; Jake had told her earlier. He was the one who'd been competing with her for the ruby.
Draven's expression darkened instantly. His eyes narrowed.
Did she just ask me to get out of her way?
Eric, who stood nearby, nearly choked. He silently prayed for the brave girl.
No one had ever dared talk to Draven like that before. She's a brave soul.
This girl clearly didn't know what kind of storm she had just started.
"Why are you so determined to get that ruby?" Draven asked, his brows furrowed. He couldn't wrap his head around it. How could a girl like her possibly come up with that kind of money?
It honestly shocked him.
Cassia's voice was calm, almost bored. "Because I like it. Do I need a reason for that?"
Draven froze for a second, caught off guard by her tone. "No," he admitted quietly, his eyes lingering on her face longer than he meant to.
Cassia wasn't interested in arguing.
She took a few steps back and said coolly, "Bye, and hopefully we never cross paths again."
Then she walked past him.
As she brushed by, a faint scent of citrus drifted into the air—fresh, soft, unforgettable.
Draven quickly returned to his usual calm. His gaze lingered on Cassia's back as she walked away, thoughtful and unreadable.
Eric noticed and grinned. "Draven, that one's going to be a challenge. Good luck."
Draven ignored him and said to his assistant, "Seven, find out who that woman is."
"Yes, boss," Seven replied immediately.
By the time Cassia got home, it was already late. The auction had taken longer than expected. Lunch was over, and everyone was sitting in the living room chatting.
Danica was curled up beside Victoria, whispering something that made the old woman laugh out loud.
The house felt warm and peaceful—until Cassia opened the door.
The moment she stepped in, the air turned heavy. Every head turned toward her.
Cassia walked in as if nothing had happened. Her face was calm, her eyes cold and unreadable.
Victoria finally lost her temper over her clamness. "Do you think this is still the orphanage you came from?" she snapped. "You come and go as you please? We're a respectable family—people know our name! If word got out, how embarrassing would that be?"
"That's right," Danica added, her tone sharp and arrogant. With Victoria backing her up, she spoke without a hint of restraint. "She hasn't changed one bit—still as wild as ever. Just a bumpkin pretending to belong."
Victoria frowned, her tone sharp and commanding. "You should learn from Brie and Danica. Girls should stay home and behave, not run around like that. It's shameful." Victoria watched her stand there in silence, her eyes clear and impossible to read. That calm defiance only made Victoria more irritated.
"Are you done talking?" Cassia asked calmly. She had stood there listening to their scolding for long enough. Just because she didn't argue didn't mean she didn't have a temper.
Her face showed a hint of annoyance.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Victoria snapped. "Is that how you talk to your elders? Getting impatient already?" Before anyone could stop her, Victoria furiously grabbed her teacup and hurled it toward Cassia.
Thankfully, Cassia was standing far enough. The cup missed, shattering on the floor, but some tea splashed onto her shoes.
Cassia's expression turned to ice. Her eyes grew sharp and cold, like twin blades aimed straight at Victoria.
She looked creepy.
For a moment, Victoria froze. A shiver ran through her. What kind of look is that? This girl ... There's something eerie about her.
The tension in the room was thick. The two turned into a standoff. Geneva hurried out from another room just in time. Seeing Cassia, her face lit up with relief. "Sweetheart, where were you? I was worried sick! Did you eat?"
Cassia's cold expression softened a little. She could always tell who genuinely cared for her.
"I did," she said simply. On her way back earlier, she'd been so hungry she stopped for some steak.
"Good," Geneva said warmly. "Later, I'll take you to get a new phone. It'll be easier for us to stay in touch." Geneva tried calling Cassia earlier, only to realize she didn't even have her number. She had blamed herself for a long time.
The phone Cassia used was an old flip phone—one people had stopped using years ago. Geneva's heart ached.
Poor girl. What kind of life has this child been living? She didn't even have a proper phone.
Victoria scoffed from her seat. "Hmph, always spending money. My son works hard to earn that money, and you just throw it away."
Victoria already disliked Cassia. The girl's sharp gaze and defiant posture rubbed her the wrong way. From the look of it, this girl will bring us trouble one day.
"Mom, she's my daughter too," Geneva said firmly. It was rare for her to talk back to Victoria. Geneva brows furrowed tightly as she spoke.
Victoria glared at her. "Ungrateful." She tossed the words out sharply and turned to leave.
Danica quickly rushed to her side, holding her arm carefully as they went upstairs.
Victoria's anger melted into satisfaction at her granddaughter's gesture.
Danica smiled faintly, glancing back at Cassia. Enjoy this while it lasts, bitch! Soon enough, something interesting is waiting to unfold. You'll find out soon enough.