When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 354

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Chapter Three Hundred And Fifty-Four: 1 Need Answers

The flight back to Southvale was too quiet. Neither Dreston nor Cazsienne spoke

First, the information Tina had given them had only created more questions about Garry Richardson being kidnapped.

They knew that it was a warning.

And now a missing personal assistant who had somehow become important enough for someone to nearly kill him

Nothing about the situation felt normal anymore, and by the time they arrived at Auralink Systems the following morning, Dreston headed straight for his office.

Steve was already waiting.

Several files sat neatly arranged on the desk.

The moment Dreston entered, Steve stood. Cassienne took a seat nearby, but she remained quiet, listening, and watching,

The investigation had reached a stage where every detail mattered.

“What do we know?” Dreston asked immediately.

Steve opened the first file. “The investigators located Garry Richardson’s personal assistant yesterday.”

Dreston nodded. “We already know that part.”

Steve’s expression became serious.

“What we didn’t know was that someone found him first.”

The room fell silent.

Steve continued. “The man was attacked.”

Cassienne frowned. “How badly?”

“Bad enough to send him to the hospital.”

The answer immediately darkened Dreston’s expression.

Steve opened another file. “The attackers didn’t kill him.”

“Why?” Dreston asked,

“Because they were interrupted.”

That got everyone’s attention.

Steve slid a photograph across the desk. “The attack happened in a parking garage.”

“The man survived because security personnel entered the area earlier than expected”

Dreston studied the photograph “Has he spoken?”

Steve nodded. “A little.”

“What did he say?”

Steve took a breath, then answered. “He confirmed that Garry disappeared willingly at first

Cassienne frowned. “Willingly?”

Steve nodded. “Garry followed someone he trusted.”

That immediately changed everything.

Dreston leaned back. “Trusted?”

“Yes.”

Steve pointed toward another note. “The assistant believes Garry discovered something involving his uncle.”

‘Donatus Richardson.’

The name instantly entered everyone’s thoughts.

Nobody said it. But everyone thought so.

“What else?” Dreston asked.

Steve hesitated. “The assistant said Garry became afraid shortly before he disappeared.”

“Afraid of what?”

“He didn’t know.” Steve paused. “But Garry kept saying the same thing.”

“What?”

Steve lowered his voice. “If anything happens to me, Dreston must know the truth.””‘

The office fell silent. The exact same message Tina had delivered.

Dreston’s jaw tightened. Now he was certain that Garry had uncovered something. And it must be big. It must have been something worth killing for.

A knock sounded on the door. All three turned.

Janet stepped inside. The secretary looked slightly nervous. “Sir.”

Dreston looked up.

“What is it?”

“Mr. Joseph Tremont is here.”

Dreston blinked. “My father?”

Janet nodded. “He said he needs to speak with you immediately.”

Steve immediately stood. “I’ll give you both some privacy.”

Dreston nodded.

A few moments later, Steve and janet left, then Joseph entered. The older man looked tired, much more tired than usual

The moment he sat down, Dreston knew this wasn’t a social visit Something had happened.

Joseph looked briefly at Cassienne before smiling. “How was Lisbourn?”

Cassienne smiled softly. “Mom is doing well.”

Relief crossed Joseph’s face, then the smile disappeared.

Business returned. “I spoke with Elena this morning.”

Breston’s expression sharpened. “And?”

Joseph leaned forward. “The deeper she digs, the worse this gets.

Silence followed. But Joseph continued. “We keep running into the same period, the same names, the same incident.”

Cassienne immediately knew what he was talking about.

Her father.

Ethan Rhodes.

Joseph rubbed his forehead. “For years I convinced myself everything was over.” His voice carried regret. “Now I’m not

Dreston listened quietly.

Joseph looked directly at his son. “I think someone has spent years protecting the truth.”

The room became still.

Cassienne’s heart began beating faster. “Who?” she asked.

Joseph looked at her. Then answered honestly. “I don’t know. But I think Emily does.”

Neither Dreston nor Cassienne spoke. Because they had both reached the same conclusion weeks ago.

Joseph sighed. “I’m going to visit her.”

Cassienne immediately looked up. “Mom?”

Joseph nodded. “I need answers.”

The room became silent again. Then Joseph surprised both of them. “If I had handled things differently years ago

His voice trailed away. And Dreston understood immediately. The guilt had never left his father.

Not once.

Joseph slowly stood. “I’m not asking for forgiveness.” His eyes landed on Cassienne. “I’m asking for the truth.

A few moments later, he left.

The office felt strangely quiet afterward. Neither Dreston nor Cassienie spoke immediately.

Eventually, Cassienne broke the silence. “I think he’s scared,”

Dreston nodded. “So do I.”

Because for the first time, they were all beginning to realize something

The answers they had been searching for might have been buried in the past all along

Later that afternoon, Cassienne returned home. She expected a quiet evening Instead, she found lessica waiting for het

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