When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 258

Chapter Two Hundred And Fifty–Eight: Tina Is Not Acting Alone.

This is the best news you have ever given me, Ray.” Justice Elena’s voice carried clearly through the phone, warm and full of approval.

Ray leaned back against the sofa, his tablet resting on his lap as he reviewed a patient report. He switched the call to the speaker and set the phone beside him. “Yes, Mother,” he said calmly. “I think it is time Father finally gets the rest he deserves.”

On the other end, Elena let out a soft breath that sounded almost like relief. “Victor will be so happy to hear this,” she said. “You have no idea how long I have been waiting for you to say this. I did not expect you to agree so soon.”

Ray allowed a small smile. “Then maybe I should cancel it,” he said lightly.

“Raymond,” she warned immediately, her tone firm but affectionate. “Do not start that.”

He chuckled under his breath. “I am only joking,” he replied.

There was a brief pause, then Elena’s voice softened again. “You have grown,” she said quietly. “This decision means a lot. Not just to your father, but to the family name.”

Ray glanced down at the tablet in his hand, though his attention was no longer on it. “I know,” he said. ” That is why I agreed.”

But even as he spoke, his mind drifted elsewhere. To the people he loves so much.

“Mother,” he said after a moment, his tone shifting slightly, “I need a favor.”

Elena hummed softly. “I thought that was coming,” she replied. “Go on.”

Ray sat up now, placing the tablet aside. “It is about the Tremont case,” he said. “I need you to put in more attention there. If there is a way to resolve it faster, I think we should take it.”

There was a pause. Then Elena spoke again. “You really care about your friend,” she said.

Ray shook his head slightly..“It is not just Dreston,” he replied. “Cassienne is involved too. In fact, she is the one at risk here. From what I see, she is the real target.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “If we already know who we are dealing with, then why not act faster?”

“And who do you think you are dealing with?” Elena asked calmly.

“Tina Ackley,” Ray answered without hesitation.

He picked up the phone and switched it off speaker, pressing it to his ear as he stood up.

Elena let out a slow breath. “Tina might have her own motives,” she said, “but she is not the real problem.”

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Ray frowned as he walked toward the kitchen. “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is this,” Elena continued. “Tina is not acting alone. Someone is behind her. Someone who understands exactly what they are doing.”

Ray stopped mid–step. “What?”

He leaned against the kitchen counter, his grip tightening slightly around the phone. “There’s someone else?” he asked.

“Yes,” Elena said. “And that is what makes this situation dangerous.”

Ray ran a hand through his hair.

“This is getting complicated,” he muttered.

“It already is,” Elena replied. “Joseph knows. That is why he has not acted rashly. He understands that exposing Tina alone will not solve anything.”

Ray’s mind raced. If Tina was not the real enemy, then everything they had assumed was incomplete. Which meant that they were fighting the wrong battle.

“I will do what I can from here,” Elena continued. “But Ray, I want you to stay out of this. This is not something you should involve yourself in.”

Ray let out a quiet breath.

“That might be difficult,” he said honestly. “I am already involved, whether I like it or not.”

There was silence on the line for a moment. Then Elena changed the subject slightly. “You should come home soon,” she said. “You have been away long enough.”

Ray smiled faintly. “I will, eventually,” he replied. “But not yet. I need some time.”

“A week?” she asked.

“Maybe more.”

Elena sighed softly. “Clarissa Thomas will be happy to see you again,” she added.

Ray shook his head with a quiet laugh. “We will see about that,” he said.

“Take care of yourself,” Elena said.

“You too, Mother.” He ended the call.

The kitchen fell silent. Ray stood there for a while, staring at nothing in particular.

Then he turned, took a glass from the cabinet, and filled it with water from the faucet. He drank slowly, his thoughts moving faster than he could control.

Another enemy. Someone behind Tina.

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He set the glass down and leaned against the marble counter, folding his arms across his chest. His mind began to piece things together.

Tina’s confidence, her timing. The way she pushed without fear. It made sense now because she was not acting alone. She had backing. Information and support.

Ray’s jaw tightened slightly. This was bigger than he thought. He thought of Dreston and Cassienne. Of everything they were dealing with already.

If there was another layer to this, then they were walking into something far more dangerous. Ray pushed himself off the counter and walked back into the living room.

He grabbed his phone immediately and dialed Dreston’s number. The call connected after two rings.

“Hey,” Dreston’s voice came through, low and tired.

Ray frowned slightly. “You sound exhausted,” he said.

“I have had a long day,” Dreston replied. “What is it?”

Ray did not waste time. “Can we meet tonight?” he asked. “I need to talk to you.”

There was a brief pause. “Sure,” Dreston said. “We can call Garry and-”

“No,” Ray cut in gently. “Just you and me.”

Another pause. This one longer.

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