When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 52

Chapter Fifty–Two: Is The Playful Girl Back?

Cassienne walked into the Coralreach building with calm confidence.

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The attention was no longer new to her. She had grown used to it. People stared when she walked in, some out of curiosity, some out of admiration, and others out of quiet jealousy. It had become part of her daily routine. 1

This morning, she walked with her head high and her shoulders straight. Her assistant, Rose, followed closely behind her, carrying Cassienne’s bag with both hands. Rose always walked two steps behind her, respectful and

attentive.

As they waited for the elevator, people around them pretended to be busy. Some whispered softly. Others stole quick glances and then looked away as if they had been caught doing something wrong.

Cassienne didn’t bother to look at any of them.

She had already seen the pattern.

These people would never change. Today they would stare, tomorrow they would gossip, and the next day they would smile to her face while envying her position. She had accepted it. She didn’t need their approval.

When the elevator doors finally opened, Cassienne lifted her head slightly, Her eyes met dozens of eyes staring straight at her.

For a second, the space felt frozen.

Then, one by one, people quickly looked away.

Some stared at their phones. Others suddenly found the elevator buttons very interesting. A few pretended to be deep in conversation.

Cassienne smiled faintly.

What a funny bunch of people, she thought.

She stepped into the elevator without hesitation. Rose followed immediately. The doors closed, and the elevator carried them upward. 1

When they reached their floor, the doors slid open to a space buzzing with conversations. The sound stopped almost instantly when Cassienne stepped out.

She paused.

“Good morning,” she said calmly.

Every head turned toward her.

“Good morning!” they all replied almost at once.

Merrick was standing near the glass wall. He walked toward her with a warm smile, clearly pleased to see her.

“Good morning, Cass,” he said.

Daisy was also there. She greeted Cassienne too, but something about her felt different. Too stiff, and too professional.

Cassienne noticed it immediately.

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Her brows lifted slightly as she looked directly at Daisy.

Something is wrong, she thought. Daisy never acted like this around her. Never.

Daisy noticed Cassienne’s look and struggled to keep her face straight. Everyone around them silently begged her not to say anything.

But Daisy was Daisy.

She could never hold back for too long. She flashed her bright white teeth at Cassienne.

“Okay,” Daisy said suddenly. “This is it.”

She opened her mouth to continue, but before she could say anything else, the sound of approaching footsteps

filled the hall.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

Corren walked in, tall and composed, with Florence beside him. They walked close together, their steps matching, their shoulders almost touching.

They looked like a couple.

Cassienne felt a strange twist in her chest.

Why were they together so early in the morning?

“Good morning,” Corren greeted as he walked past.

He didn’t wait for anyone to respond.

Florence followed him closely. As she passed Cassienne, she slowed down slightly and smirked at her. There was mockery in her eyes. A silent challenge.

Cassienne frowned.

What was that?

She turned on her heels and walked toward her office. Rose followed her immediately.

Behind them, the hall slowly returned to normal. Conversations resumed, chairs moved and keyboards clicked.

Something was definitely going on, but Cassienne will definitely find out soon

From the moment Cassienne stepped into her office, she didn’t come out again.

Her eyes were fixed on the computer screen. Her fingers moved fast over the keyboard as lines of code filled the monitor. She was deeply focused, blocking out every distraction.

Deadlines were approaching. Projects needed review. Corrections had to be made.

Her office was beautiful–glass walls, modern furniture, and a wide desk–but only she knew how demanding the work was. Being at the top was not easy. It came with pressure, responsibility, and long hours.

Time passed without her noticing.

Daisy knocked once and poked her head inside.

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“Lunch?” Daisy asked.

Cassienne didn’t even look up. “Later.”

But later never came.

When work hours ended, Cassienne went home exhausted. She took a quick shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and ate instant noodles. Then she opened her laptop again.

Work.

It had become her routine.

Years of loneliness had trained her well.

During her marriage with Dreston, work had been her escape. When the house felt too quiet and the bed felt too cold, she worked. When her heart felt heavy, she worked.

Sometimes, when her fingers hurt too much from typing, she rested by playing games.

Gaming was her safe place.

She was excellent at FPS, MOBA, and strategy games. In the gaming world, she was a mystery. She never showed her face. She never accepted sponsors. She never stayed in one place too long.

She appeared, dominated, and disappeared.

That was how she liked it.

Many players and companies wanted her. They searched for her and chased her.

But Cassienne remained a ghost.

On the screen, messages began to appear.

[Who is NULLWRAITH?]

An open question was thrown to every player online. So, anyone could reply.

Cassienne paused for half a second, then smirked and continued playing.

Let them keep searching for the ghost.

[Not sure who this player is, but whoever it is, they enjoy playing with our minds.)

Another message popped up.

[I think it’s an AI. Believe me, guys. This thing is not human.]

A player named Azura typed.

Cassienne laughed out loud.

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