When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 111

Chapter One Hundred And Eleven: Yes, I am NULLWRAITH.

Security moved fast.

Black–clad personnel formed a tight wall around Dreston and Cassienne, pushing back the flood of

cameras, microphones, and shouting reporters. Voices overlapped in chaos–questions, accusations, speculation screamed from every direction.

“Is she NULLWRAITH?”

“Were we lied to?”

“Who leaked the footage?”

“Answer us!”

Dreston’s hand never left Cassienne’s wrist. He positioned himself half a step ahead of her, his body instinctively shielding her from the flashing lights and aggressive lenses thrust into her face. She could barely hear anything over the pounding in her ears.

“Clear the passage!” one of the security heads barked.

The crowd resisted for a moment, curiosity outweighing courtesy, but the guards forced a narrow corridor open. Step by step, they moved Cassienne and Dreston away from the arena floor, toward a

secured exit.

From a distance, Tina stood and watched.

She stood near the side aisle, her arms folded neatly across her chest, lips curved in a slow, satisfied smirk. The chaos unfolding before her felt like victory, her victory. The exposure, the scandal, the cameras. This was exactly how she had imagined it ending.

Cassienne, unmasked, cornered and ruined. Or so she thought. Her gaze shifted, and met Merrick’s. He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t panicking either. But he was watching Tina closely.

Something about her expression didn’t sit right with him. While everyone else looked shocked or excited, Tina looked… pleased and amused. Almost proud.

Merrick’s jaw tightened. “Interesting,” he thought.

By the time Dreston and Cassienne were escorted through the secured doors, the organisers had already swung into action.

The lights dimmed slightly.

The murmurs continued, but the sharp panic in the air began to settle when one of the most prominent organisers of the Global Tech Expo stepped onto the stage. He was a respected figure. A calm, authoritative, and known for never speaking unless he had full control of a situation.

He raised his hand. And silence slowly followed immediately.

Chapter One Hundred And Eleven Yes I am NULLWRAITH

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“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice steady but firm, “I understand the excitement, the shock, and the emotions running through this arena right now. But I need everyone to remain calm.”

The cameras turned to him.

“The name NULLWRAITH has circulated in the tech and e–sport world for years. Rumours, theories, and speculations. We are all aware of them. However, what just occurred is not entertainment. It is a serious breach of privacy.”

A ripple went through the crowd.

“Displaying footage taken from a private residence, without consent, is illegal. It is an offence that this organisation does not take lightly. There will be a full investigation, and legal actions will follow.”

His gaze hardened slightly.

“We ask everyone to refrain from jumping to conclusions. Do not believe what has not been officially confirmed. Let us do our jobs.”

In the VIP section, Jeff Sandler’s fingers curled slowly against the armrest of his chair.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Exposure was meant to be controlled. Strategic and quiet. Something he could move around before others caught on.

Now?

The entire world had its eyes open.

And worse, everyone else would come hunting too.

His jaw clenched as applause followed the organiser’s statement, not for him, but for the promise of order.

Behind closed doors…

Cassienne stood in the centre of a private room, her hands trembling despite her efforts to stay composed.

“They betrayed me,” she said, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and hurt. “Jessica betrayed me.”

Dreston exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

“All the evidence points to her,” he admitted quietly. “I can’t defend that.”

Cassienne laughed bitterly. “I trusted her. I trusted her with everything.”

“I’m sorry,” Dreston said immediately. He stepped closer, his voice dropping. “I swear to you, I didn’t know. But I promise you this, I will protect you. Whatever it takes.”

She looked up at him then. She really looked.

He had stood between her and the world. He had taken the heat, the cameras, the pressure, without

Chapter One Hundred And Eleven Yes Cam NULLWRAITH

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hesitation.

She believed him. But before she could respond, the door opened.

Corren stepped in, followed by the same prominent organiser who had just addressed the arena.

After greetings and brief apologies, the man got straight to the point.

“We will investigate this thoroughly,” he said. “Those responsible will be found.”

Then he paused. And asked quietly, “Are you really NULLWRAITH?”

Cassienne’s heart skipped. She looked at Dreston. Then at Corren.

Corren gave a small nod.

“Yes,” Cassienne said softly. “That is me.”

The man’s brows lifted in genuine shock, but only for a second.

He masked it quickly.

“And is NULLWRAITH the same person as Obsidian_13?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “NULLWRAITH has always been my original username. Obsidian_13 was created recently, to confuse people. To protect myself.”

“Why hide?” he asked. “Someone with your skill would dominate the professional scene.”

Cassienne inhaled deeply.

“Because I play for love,” she said. “Gaming helps me breathe. It helps me survive stress. I never wanted contracts or teams chasing me. It was never about fame.”

The man studied her with serious expression. Then nodded. Minutes later, they returned to the arena.

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