When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 112

Chapter One Hundred And Twelve: The Hidden Queen.

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The arena was still vibrating, even though the official segment had ended and the lights had softened, the atmosphere refused to calm down. 1

Screens across the massive dome still replayed highlights from the final seconds of the match, Obsidian_13’s decisive move, the fall of Syntax’s avatar, the countdown, and the finish line.

And then the clip that changed everything. Cassienne’s face, her voice and her confession as NULLWRAITH.

The name echoed through conversations, through live chats, and through global feeds. On thousands of handheld devices, the sports news channels were streaming the moment live. Comment sections were exploding. 1

“NULLWRAITH REVEALED.”

“OBSIDIAN_13 CONFIRMED.”

“THE GHOST HAS A FACE.”

Fans across continents were reacting in real time. Some were crying on livestream. While some were celebrating in gaming cafés. Some were replaying her speech again and again.

It was a night bigger than a championship.

It was a coronation.

Cassienne stood at the VIP section, still holding her award, a sleek, metallic, engraved with the tournament insignia. The weight of it felt surreal in her hands.

On her right stood Dreston. And on her left stood Corren. The two most powerful men in her life. For once, they were not rivals, but they were her shield.

Security personnel had formed a protective semi–circle around the VIP area, holding back the press and overexcited guests. Flashes went off nonstop. Camera shutters clicked like rainfall.

People were still chanting.

“NULLWRAITH!” “OBSIDIAN!” “CTO QUEEN!”

Cassienne laughed in disbelief. It felt like she had stepped into someone else’s story.

Daisy pushed forward from the general VIP boundary, waving both hands wildly.

“Cassienne! Cass! That’s my bestie!”

A security guard blocked her immediately. “Ma’am, please step back-”

“She’s with me,” Cassienne said firmly, with a smile.

Chapter One Hundred And Twelve The Hidden Queen

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The guard hesitated, glanced at Dreston, who gave a slight nod, and stepped aside.

Daisy rushed in and practically tackled Cassienne into a hug.

“You are insane! You are legendary! You’re trending number one in five countries!”

Cassienne burst into real laughter. It was unfiltered, radiant, the kind that made her eyes close and her shoulders shake.

The giant screen caught that moment, and the arena roared again.

“That’s my bestie!” Daisy shouted dramatically, wiping her tears, and the audience laughed along.

Even the commentators couldn’t help themselves.

“This is history,” one of them said emotionally. “Not just because she won. But because she played hidden for years and still dominated.”

“You rarely see someone step into the light and command it like that.”

Photos continued.

CEOS approached one after the other. Organisers shook her hand. Prominent sponsors congratulated her. She posed beside Dreston. Then, beside Corren, and also beside the event directors.

At one point, three billionaires stood beside her like they were the ones honoured to share the frame.

“You are the most influential person in this arena, my friend,” Merrick said as he stepped closer to her.

Cassienne laughed again, still dazed. “I didn’t plan for any of this.”

“Influence doesn’t wait for permission,” Merrick replied smoothly.

Eventually, security escorted a small circle of close associates into a private lounge behind the main arena. The door shut, cutting off the roar outside, though the muffled celebration still hummed through the walls.

Inside were only a handful: Dreston, Corren, Merrick, Daisy, and another CEO who had been escorted from the audience section, and a few trusted executives.

For the first time that night, Cassienne exhaled. She removed her face cap and placed it on the table.

Then silence settled. Daisy squealed again and hugged her.

“You’re officially untouchable now.”

Cassienne sank into one of the plush seats. “I don’t even know what I am now.”

“You’re valuable,” Merrick corrected. And the word ‘valuable‘ lingered.

Dreston leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

Chapter One Hundred And Twelve The Hidden Queen.

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“You’ve shifted the balance tonight,” he said calmly. “Investors are already circling.”

As if summoned by the statement, a soft knock came on the private lounge door.

An event liaison stepped in carefully.

“Apologies for the interruption. Several international investment groups are requesting five–minute private introductions. They’re prepared to schedule formal negotiations tomorrow.”

Cassienne blinked. “So fast?”

“Yes, ma’am. Also, two rival tech conglomerates are requesting a private dinner appointment during the week. Discreet. High–level.”

Daisy gasped.

“Dinner? Already? That was fast.”

The liaison handed a sleek digital tablet to Dreston before leaving.

Corren leaned back against the sofa, studying Cassienne’s face.

“This was bound to happen, you know.”

She rubbed her temple lightly. “I never wanted this level of attention.”

“You wanted to play,” Dreston said gently. “But when someone plays like you do, attention is what you get.”

Corren nodded, he agreed with Dreston. “They won’t let go now. Not after tonight.”

Cassienne looked between the two men. “So what do I do? Start signing contracts?” She scoffed.

“Not immediately,” Dreston replied. “You can decide on what you want to do. But you can’t avoid them.”

“And then,” Corren added, “you decide whether you want to use this-”

She frowned slightly.

“Use what?”

“You step up your game,” Corren said. “You’re already a CTO. Now you have influence beyond corporate tech. E–sports integration, Al gaming systems, cross–platform architecture. You could build something revolutionary.”

Dreston didn’t interrupt him. He simply watched Cassienne. And for the first time, Corren noticed something different in Dreston.

He wasn’t possessive this time, he only has respect for her. Dreston wasn’t trying to claim her moment. He was only protecting it.

Corren’s gaze softened slightly. Maybe he had misjudged him before.

Chapter One Hundred And Twelve The Hidden Queen.

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Dreston turned toward Cassienne.

“You don’t have to accept any offers for now. But don’t reject them out of fear.”

She looked down at her award.

“I don’t even know if I want to be a public figure.” 1

“You already are,” Merrick cut in quietly. “You just didn’t know it yet.”

Another knock sounded on the door. This time a senior organiser stepped in briefly.

“Ms. Rhodes, international broadcast networks are requesting a controlled interview slot tomorrow morning. We’ve declined live requests, but the demand is growing.” 1

Cassienne felt the pressure tighten in her chest. Daisy squeezed her hand.

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