The Returned Heiress Who Had It All (Cassia) novel Chapter 525

Chapter 525 Caught in the Act

“Come on–show me where.”

Faye led Richard to the greenhouse. They crouched behind a large banyan tree.

Bryan and Hugo were still there, crouched in the same spot.

Their conversation continued.

“Bro, didn’t we already steal a tree last time? Why are we back for another one?”

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“My dad is well–connected with a big shot. The big shot wants the trees for experiments- trying to figure out how to grow the same stuff. Dad told me to grab one.”

“So, that means I don’t have to keep pretending to learn Richard’s growing techniques anymore? If this big shot can crack the code from the tree itself, we’re golden?”

“Heh. Not bad, kid. You’re sharper than you look

Richard froze.

So Hugo really had been stealing Cassia’s proprietary growing techniques this whole time. And Bryan had been sneaking in to physically steal trees for some kind of reverse- engineering experiment.

Thank God he’d caught this now. If those two had gotten their hands on the unique genetic strains Cassia had developed, he’d never be able to face her again.

Wait–Hugo had said “again.” Had Bryan already stolen a tree before?

Damn it.

A chill ran through Richard. Had this mystery “g shot” already cracked the genetic code from the stolen sample?

But then he thought about it, If they’d already succeeded, they wouldn’t still be breaking in. Bryan wouldn’t be here tonight, risking his barely healed backside, if the experiment had already worked.

Still, catching them now meant it wasn’t too late He had to shut this down before it went any further.

And it all made sense–Hugo had been conveniently scheduled for night shifts every time. Of course, Bryan could stroll right in. Hugo was his ticket past every guard and security system, including the protective measures Cassia herself had installed.

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12:52 Mon, Mar 30 D

Chapter 525 Caught in the Act

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Richard switched his phone to night mode and started recording, capturing every word and movement. He’d need this evidence when he fired Hugo.

Then, he remembered Faye was still behind him. If things went sideways, she’d be a liability -he’d have to protect her on top of handling these two.

Richard turned and whispered, “Go back to your dorm. I’ve got this.”

Faye had been dying to leave since the second she’d recognized Bryan’s voice. She just hadn’t dared go without Richard’s permission.

The moment he gave the word, relief flooded through her, and she slipped away into the dark.

Richard hunkered down, eyes locked on the two figures ahead.

Bryan’s earlier words echoed in his mind, and a new thought crystallized.

The “big shot” Bryan had mentioned–could that be Eagle?

If it were Eagle, should he call Cassia?

Physically subduing Bryan and Hugo wouldn’t be a problem. But if Cassia were here, everything would change.

Bryan wasn’t afraid of Richard, but Cassia interrogating him in person? That was a different story entirely–she could extract information about Eagle that no one else could, maybe even force out Eagle’s location.

While Richard was weighing his options, a faint rustling sound reached his ears from up ahead.

It was barely perceptible–the kind of noise you mistake for insects if the night weren’t this still and your hearing this sharp.

But it wasn’t insects. It was two people creeping way.

They’d stolen a tree. They were leaving.

Richard sprang from behind the banyan and followed.

When they stopped at another greenhouse to crouch down, Richard ducked into a nearby hedge.

Don’t spook them yet. Call Cassia. Together, they’d bag both these clowns in one sweep.

Richard pulled out his phone and sent Cassia a oded message.

III

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12:53 Mon, Mar 30 D

Chapter 525 Caught in the Act

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Meanwhile, Cassia had just stepped out of the shower in her little seaside bungalow, toweling off her wet hair.

Chesthale had transformed under Richard’s stewardship. He’d turned the village into a tourist destination, and the coastline was dotted with scenic vacation bungalows like the one Cassia was staying in now.

But because Nathan and Bryan had set up camp on the main road, shaking down every visitor who tried to enter, tourism was effectively dead. The bungalows sat empty year- round.

From the outside, Cassia’s place looked like a charming thatched cottage. Inside, it was spotless, fully furnished, and strung with tiny warm–toned lights along the walls and ceiling- cozy and beautiful.

The front door opened onto a floor–to–ceiling window that framed a view of reed–covered dunes and the open sea, waves glimmering under the night sky.

Compared to the bustling Scott villa, Cassia preferred this. Small, quiet, hers alone.

She cracked the window. A cool night breeze slipped in, carrying the rhythm of the surf and the faint, sun–baked scent of sand from the day’s heat.

Being alone felt safer.

She’d originally planned to book her own bungalow, but the receptionist had told her every single cottage in the complex had been reserved by one person.