When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 342

Chapter Three Hundred And Forty–Two: Cassienne Was Next

Now that he knew Kael was her brother, the confusion had shifted into something different.

Lucien was no brother. That much was obvious. The man looked at Daisy like he had already chosen her.

And Daisy, no matter how conflicted she seemed, did not push him away.

Ray looked down at his untouched drink.

His question still hung between them unanswered.

What if I asked you to marry me right now?

She had not said no. But she had not said yes either. And somehow, the silence was beginning to hurt more than rejection might

have.

At another table, Kael barely heard the speech being given on stage. His attention kept drifting toward Jessica, who was now standing with her E–sports team near a sponsor backdrop while photographers took pictures. She smiled brightly for the

cameras. She joked with her teammates. She looked completely fine.

Kael knew she was not.

He did not know how he knew, but he simply did.

Jessica could smile through anything. Apparently, that was part of what made her dangerous. And part of what made him want

to know her even more.

The gala continued. Awards were given. Speeches were made. Applause rose and fell. The ballroom moved through its polished rhythm of prestige and celebration, but beneath that elegance, several hearts remained far from calm.

Later, when the formal segment paused and guests began rising from their tables again, Jessica slipped away.

She told her teammate she needed a moment.

That was true.

Mostly

The ladies‘ room was located down a more quiet hallway away from the ballroom. It was elegant, spacious, and softly lit, with pale marble counters and gold–framed mirrors. Jessica entered quickly, relieved to find no one at the sinks.

And that was when she allowed her smile to fall.

She placed both hands on the edge of the counter and stared at her reflection.

For a long moment, she simply stood there.

Then her eyes stung “Don’t be stupid,” she whispered to herself

But the tears came anyway Not loudly, or dramatically. Just enough to blur her reflection

(*

She was not crying because Kael belonged to Nora. Not exactly. That would have been ridiculous, after all, she barely knew him.

They had only spoken properly tonight But somehow, the whole thing had touched something lonely inside her. The man who had searched for her had found her too late. Or maybe he had found her at the worst possible time.

Jessica wiped quickly beneath her eyes and let out a shaky breath

Then the door opened.

She froze.

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GAB Was Next

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Instinctively, she moved into one of the private stalls before whoever entered could see her face. She was not in the mood to explain tears to anyone.

Two people entered.

A man and a woman.

Jessica frowned immediately. /

A man? In the ladies‘ room?

Something about that alone made her remain completely still.

Their voices were low but urgent.

The woman spoke first, sharp and furious. “Why haven’t you done it yet?”

The man snapped back. “Lower your voice.”

“Don’t tell me to lower my voice. She is still walking around like nothing happened. She is everywhere. You were told to take

her.”

Jessica’s entire body went cold.

She stopped breathing.

The man cursed under his breath. “You think it is easy? Have you seen the security around her?”

“Security can be bypassed.”

“Not hers.”

The woman scoffed. “You are too weak for this job.”

The man’s voice hardened instantly. “Speak to me with respect.“/

Jessica pressed one hand over her mouth.

The woman continued anyway. “The instruction was simple. Kidnap Cassienne. Yet there she is, sitting beside her husband like some untouchable queen.”

Jessica’s heart stopped

Cassienne.

They were talking about Cassienne.

The man exhaled sharply. “Cassienne is pregnant.”

“So?”

“So I am not dragging a pregnant woman through a violent extraction in the middle of a hotel full of security. I can kidnap herit she is alone Quietly Without hurting her. But not like this ”

The woman laughed coldly “How are you even a criminal?”

The man’s voice dropped dangerously. “That woman they called Tina died because of me. I did my job, clean, without thinking twice.”

Jessica’s knees nearly weakened.

Tina.

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He was the one

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The man continued, anger and frustration mixing in his tone. “But a pregnant woman? No. If the boss wants her alive, then we do it clean. No force. No blood. No mistakes.”

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