When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 265

Chapter Two Hundred And Sixty–Five: Something Bigger.

The peace of the hospital has been taken away. Even in the late hours of the night, the corridors remained active, though silent than before. The chaos from earlier had settled into something heavier.

Not noise, not panic–but tension.

Inside a private suite on the upper floor, the atmosphere was thick. Corren lay on the bed, pale but conscious..The wound had been treated, bandaged tightly across his side. Machines beside him beeped steadily, confirming what Ray had said earlier.

He was stable and alive.

Cassienne sat beside him. She had not moved much since he was brought in. Her fingers rested lightly on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on him, as if she needed constant reassurance that he was truly fine. “You should rest,” Corren said quietly, his voice still strained.

Cassienne shook her head. “I’m fine.” Her voice was soft, but the weight behind it was not.

Aurora stood nearby, arms folded, watching both of them. Daisy leaned against the wall, unusually quiet for once. Jessica and Merrick remained close, each lost in their own thoughts.

The door opened, and Abigail Tremont walked in first. Her eyes went straight to Cassienne. “My dear…”

Cassienne stood immediately. Abigail pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’re safe,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

Cassienne nodded against her. “I’m fine,” she said softly. “But Corren-”

Abigail pulled back and looked toward the bed. For a moment, something shifted in her expression. Something like relief and gratitude. Then Joseph Tremont stepped in behind her. His gaze went directly

to Corren.

There was a pause. A long one. Joseph had never liked Corren. But tonight–That did not matter. “You did well,” Joseph said simply.

Corren gave a faint, tired smile. “Didn’t feel like I had a choice.”

Joseph nodded once. And the room settled again.

Cassienne returned to her seat, her thoughts were not steady. They kept replaying it. The moment it happened. The blade. The blood.

One sentence she kept repeating. “He saved my life…” But no one interrupted her.

Because they all knew, that the truth had already spread far beyond this room.

The door opened again and Ray Simpson stepped inside. His expression was serious now. At least, more than before. “She needs tighter security,” he said immediately.

Everyone turned.

Suty five somehing Bigger

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“I’ve arranged that already,” Ray continued, his voice firm. “Cassienne can’t step out alone anymore. Not. even for a second.” The words carried weight. “If her friend hadn’t acted fast last night,” he added, glancing at Corren, “we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”

Silence followed his words, heavy and unavoidable.

Cassienne lowered her gaze. Guilt crept in quietly. This was because of her.

Aurora stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Hey,” she said softly. “Don’t go there.”

But Cassienne did not respond. Because she already had. Across the room, Joseph watched everything carefully and thoughtfully. Ray’s words echoed in his mind. “This was not random.” And now, it was escalating.

A soft sound broke the silence. The television mounted on the wall flickered to life as someone turned it

1. on. At first, no one paid attention. But a voice broke out from it. “Breaking news.”

The room stilled. On the screen, a familiar setting appeared.

Auralink headquarters. A press conference.

Cassienne’s head lifted slowly.

And then, she saw Dreston..He stood at the podium, calmly and composed. But his expression was cold. Cameras flashed endlessly around him.

The reporter’s voice continued. “Following last night’s shocking incident involving Cassienne Rhodes, Auralink CEO Dreston Tremont has called for an urgent press briefing.”

Aurora frowned. “What is he doing?”

No one answered. But Dreston began to speak. His voice was steady and controlled. “I will keep this

brief.”

Silence fell in the room.

“This is not the time for unnecessary speculation,” he continued.

Cassienne’s heart slowed. Something felt wrong.

Then he said something that shocked everyone. “I am announcing my engagement.”

The words hit. But no one moved.

He went further. “To Tina Ackley.”

The room went silent completely.

Abigail’s hand flew to her mouth. “No…”

Aurora froze. And Daisy blinked in disbelief. Jessica’s brows pulled together sharply. And Merrick remained still, but his eyes darkened.

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Joseph said nothing.

Corren let out a weak, humorless laugh. “I knew it,” he muttered, his voice rough. “That son of a bitch was going to hurt you again.”

The words hung in the air. No one responded. Because all eyes had shifted to Cassienne.

She did not react. At least not immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the screen. She shouldn’t be surprised. She knew about this. But something inside broke.

The reporters‘ voices rose again with questions, flashes and noise. Then another headline appeared beneath the broadcast.

“Did Dreston Tremont replace Cassienne Rhodes after alleged affair with Corren Thornwyck?”

That was the blow. Not the engagement. Not Tina.

TCassienne’s breath caught. Her fingers loosened. The phone in her hand slipped slightly, and her legs

gave way. She sank into the chair behind her. The room reacted instantly.

“Cass-” Aurora rushed to her. “Hey, look at me—”

Daisy stepped forward. Jessica moved closer. They all thought the same thing.

Dreston.

But it wasn’t him. It was the narrative. The lie. The way she was being painted. This was not expected. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.

Across the room, Joseph and Ray watched her. Their eyes met briefly. Both of them understood.

This was no longer about Tina. This was something else, something bigger. Something well planned and calculated.

It was obvious that someone else was in the game. And they were not just attacking Cassienne. They were rewriting her story. And right in front of the world.

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