The Returned Heiress Who Had It All (Cassia) novel Chapter 523

Chapter 523 The Spy

31%

+10 Free Coins

But Cassia valued her privacy, and Richard had given his word. Their secret stayed a secret.

Hearing the explanation, a good chunk of the warehouse staff realized they’d jumped to conclusions.

“Oh, she’s Mr. Scott’s friend! I knew it. Mr. Scott devotion to his wife is legendary–no way he’d crumble that easily.”

“We all know Mr. Scott’s character. The man doesn’t lie. If he says it, that’s what it is.”

Faye’s gaze slid to Cassia.

Cassia felt the probing stare and turned her eyes toward it, locking directly onto Faye.

The instant their gazes met, Faye felt a jolt—an inexplicable rush of panic, as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t have. She broke eye contact first.

It was only a single glance, but every instinct Faye had screamed: this girl was not what she appeared to be.

Richard was definitely hiding something. He didn’t want anyone to know the real nature of his relationship with this girl, so he was playing down on purpose.

A girl this beautiful, and Richard had no ulterior motive? Faye didn’t buy it for a second.

“Alright, enough gawking, everyone. Back to work.” Richard addressed the room, and the staff dispersed.

He turned to Faye. “That fruit order for Mr. Eason–get it boxed up. I need it shipped first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Mr. Scott. I’ll round up the team right away Faye nodded, but her eyes kept drifting back to Cassia and Richard, watching for any slip any gesture that crossed a line–anything she could photograph and use as ammunition.

But Cassia just stood there, expression cool and distant, radiating a quiet, frost–over–still- water kind of beauty that made the air around her feel cleaner.

She didn’t move until Richard finished giving orders. Then, she simply turned and walked toward the warehouse exit.

Richard fell into step behind her.

1/3

12:52 Mon, Mar 30 0

Chapter 523 The Spy

Hmph. Hiding it well, aren’t you…

Faye clenched her fist.

Just wait until Mrs. Scott shows up. Then, we’ll see how smug you are.

That evening, Faye clocked out and headed back toward the Hummer Plantation.

1%

+10 Free Coins

She was originally from Zrario, so her family home wasn’t in Chesthale–but the job listing had promised room and board, and the plantation’s garden–like scenery had sealed the deal. She’d dragged her suitcase out here without a second thought.

Richard would never let an ungraduated college girl live alone on the premises. The plantation housed several other interns–researchers, both men and women–and Faye simply happened to be the one who’d applied as a secretary.

By now, the other interns were in their dorms, the day–shift workers had gone home, and the only signs of life were the warm glow of the guard booth at the front gate and the occasional flashlight beam of the night patrol.

The plantation was dead quiet–so quiet that Faye instinctively softened her footsteps.

As she passed the director’s office, she noticed the light was still on.

Faye couldn’t help sneaking a look.

And what she saw made her eyes go wide.

The beautiful girl from this afternoon–the one who’d toured the warehouse with Richard- was inside the office. With Richard. Just the two of them.

Faye’s pulse spiked–equal parts thrill and terro She crept to the window, crouched beneath the overgrown weeds along the ledge, and held her breath.

After a moment of hearing nothing but faint murmurs, she slowly straightened, pressed her palms against the windowsill, and peered inside

“Someone’s been trying to steal your proprietary techniques.”

That was Richard’s voice. Then, the girl spoke.

“Do you know who?”

“One of our own. I suspect Hugo–he used to work at the plantation, but one day I spotted him following Nathan around. Looks like he’s one of Nathan’s lackeys now.”

Richard continued, “Nathan and Bryan have always resented our success. Planting a mole to

O

2/3

12:52 Mon, Mar 30 D

Chapter 523 The Spy

steal our growing techniques? They’ve got plenty of motive.”

“If that’s the case, why haven’t you just fired Hugo?”

1%

+10 Free Coins

“He’s the prime suspect, but I don’t have proof. Firing him without cause could stir up trouble with the rest of the staff.”

“Mm, that’s fair… By the way, you mentioned the plantation lost millions because someone dumped chemicals into the irrigation ditch near the greenhouses. Did you ever find out who did it?”

… Not yet.” Richard paused. “Hugo was the one on guard duty that night. So I can’t exactly take his version of events at face value.”

…

Besides Richard and the girl, Faye couldn’t see a soul in the office.

A man and a woman. Alone. Behind closed doors. Late at night. If nothing was going on between them, Faye would eat her shoe.

She checked her phone–Willow had replied. Apparently, after seeing the photo, Richard’s wife had immediately boarded a private jet from Vrastin to Zrario.

This was her moment.

Faye switched her phone to silent, opened the camera, and pointed it through the window at the two figures inside.

111