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

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

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 Jessica waiting for her.

The moment Cassienne entered the living room, she knew something was wrong.

Jessica sat quietly on the sofa.

No smile, no jokes, no teasing. Nothing.

Cassienne immediately sat beside her. "What happened?"

Jessica shook her head. "Nothing."

"Jessica."

Still no answer.

Cassienne's worry increased. She reached for her friend's hand. "Talk to me."

For a moment, Jessica remained silent. Then she laughed softly. A sad laugh, the kind that immediately worried Cassienne.

Finally, she spoke. "I met someone."

Cassienne blinked, then smiled.

After all these years, Jessica was finally interested in someone. That alone felt like a miracle.

"Really?"

Jessica nodded.

Cassienne became excited. "Who is he?"

Jessica looked down. A small smile appeared on her face. Then it disappeared again. And suddenly Cassienne knew there was a problem.

A serious one.

Jessica finally whispered. "I like him."

The smile slowly left Cassienne's face, because Jessica didn't sound happy. She sounded heartbroken. "Jessica..."

Her friend swallowed hard. Then finally said the words she had been trying to avoid. "Unfortunately..."

Cassienne waited.

Jessica lifted her eyes, pain filled them. "He's already involved with my sister."

Everything inside Cassienne froze. For several seconds, she simply stared at Jessica, unable to speak. Unable to process what she had just heard.

And suddenly, she understood why Jessica looked so devastated. Because some heartbreaks began before a relationship even had the chance to start.