Chapter 4: Her Return, His Rage

“Cassidy, are you okay?”

Roel’s brows knitted together as he held her close, his voice steady but gentle.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you. He’s getting married, Cassidy. You need to forget him.”

Cassidy didn’t speak. Her pale face and distant eyes spoke louder than words.

Neither Roel nor Cassidy noticed the two little boys exchanging sly looks beside them.

“There’s something weird about this,” Noel whispered.

Nardy’s eyes gleamed with quiet determination. “I took pictures. His last name is Edwards, right? How dare he bully Mommy? Let’s teach him a lesson.”

They hated seeing their mother sad.

“That man hurt Mom and forced her to leave the country. Don’t worry, I’ll handle him,” Nardy declared.

As a skilled hacker, Nardy wasn’t just all talk. He already had a plan, and Noel was the only one who knew it.

Meanwhile, across the city, atop a sleek skyscraper with over a hundred floors, Dylan signed a contract with practiced ease.

Standing beside him, Selena leaned in with her usual sweet smile. “You’re so good to me, Dylan.”

Six years had passed, but Selena’s appearance hadn’t changed much. She still looked gentle and innocent, except now, there was a small baby bump beneath her dress.

Dylan’s eyes, however, weren’t focused on her.

“Dylan? What’s wrong?” Selena asked softly, handing him a bowl of soup. “You’ve been distracted all day. Don’t you love me anymore?”

Startled, Dylan snapped out of his thoughts. He forced a smile, stroking her nose playfully.

“Of course I love you. Just tired. There’s been a lot to deal with overseas.”

But it wasn’t business clouding his mind. It was Cassidy — her face, her voice — haunting him more vividly than ever.

“She really left… ran away to another country with Roel Helton…” Dylan’s jaw clenched. “What a selfish woman.”

Selena’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “There’s a dinner with Harvey Walter tonight. Will you come with me?”

Dylan frowned. “Why him?”

“He used to be my boss,” Selena explained, pouting playfully. “Besides, his Walter Group is booming. He’s investing in restaurants now. I couldn’t refuse. But I’m your woman now. You’ll protect me, right?”

Dylan sighed, rubbing his temples. “I have a banquet tonight.”

“A banquet?”

“At eight o’clock. The Havier Hotel. Charity auction. Everyone who matters will be there.”

Selena hesitated. It was a prestigious event. But she’d already promised Harvey she’d bring him somewhere important.

Her eyes sparkled with an idea. “Harvey can go to that auction. You can get him an invitation, can’t you?”

Dylan smirked. “You always find a way.” He pulled out his phone and made the call.

“Send an invitation to Harvey Walter for the Havier Hotel charity auction,” he ordered.

Selena beamed. “You’re the best.”

Dylan leaned in, kissing her gently. “I’ve missed you, Selena.”

“Not now,” she giggled, pushing him away playfully. “The doctor said no… and I want our wedding night to be special.”

The child she carried would already be three months old by then. But Selena wasn’t worried. Dylan’s feelings were hers to control.

Later that night, when Dylan and Selena arrived at the Havier Hotel, the crowd greeted them with applause. They looked like the perfect couple.

Outside, in a dark car parked by the entrance, Cassidy froze in her seat. Her fingers gripped the door handle, her face drained of color.

She hadn’t wanted to come. But the moment the spotlight swept over their vehicle, all eyes turned toward them.

Cassidy shrank into her seat.

“You didn’t tell me he’d be here,” she whispered to Roel, her voice tight with panic.

Roel’s hand settled protectively over hers.

“He won’t touch you,” Roel said calmly. “But… are you ready for this?”

Cassidy’s eyes remained locked on the hotel doors, where Dylan and Selena stood under the glittering lights.

Her heart raced with one thought.

What happens… if he finds out about the twins?

“Cassidy, I’m saying this for your own good,” Roel whispered beside her. “If you keep avoiding him, your obsession will only grow stronger. So… ready to face him?”

Cassidy took a deep breath, smoothing her black evening gown. Her hair was pinned neatly in a bun, and a necklace gleamed around her neck — a custom-made gift from Roel.

Her two boys had begged her to come tonight. Roel had insisted too. Now there was no backing out.

The moment Cassidy stepped out of the car, camera flashes erupted like fireworks.

It was the first time the young master of the Helton family had brought a woman to a public event. That alone was enough to stir the entire city’s curiosity.

Holding onto Roel’s arm, Cassidy kept her head high, her face calm despite the whispers and wide eyes that followed her into the grand auction hall.

In the crowd, Dylan’s sharp gaze landed on her.

“This woman…” Dylan’s eyes darkened. “How shameless can she get?”

Beside him, Selena’s expression stiffened. Her heart pounded with unease. “Why… why is she back?”

But Cassidy didn’t even glance their way. She walked confidently with Roel, taking her seat like she belonged there.

The auction began.

The first item — a rare, ancient painting — sold quickly to a wealthy bidder. Next came an antique blue and white porcelain vase, said to be over a thousand years old.

“Starting bid, fifteen thousand dollars,” the auctioneer declared.

But few cared for the artifacts. All eyes drifted between Dylan and Roel, both powerful, both unusually quiet tonight… both bringing companions.

Sensing her nervousness, Roel squeezed Cassidy’s hand and brushed his fingers gently along her back.

“Relax,” he murmured, leaning close. “You’re the most beautiful person here.”

Cassidy’s cheeks flushed, and her eyes met his.

Across the room, Dylan clenched his jaw, rage simmering beneath his calm exterior.

“That woman… how dare she flirt with another man? With Roel of all people?”

Cassidy looked stunning tonight — like a completely different woman. Confident. Elegant. And with Roel, she outshone even Dylan.

The final item of the night drew gasps — a jade piece intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, gleaming under the lights.

“Starting bid, thirty thousand dollars,” announced the auctioneer.

Dylan didn’t hesitate. “One hundred fifty thousand.”

Roel raised his hand casually. “Three hundred thousand. A simple gift for my girlfriend.”

The crowd stirred with surprise.

Cassidy’s eyes widened. “Three hundred thousand? That’s ridiculous.”

“Say nothing,” Roel whispered smoothly. “Tonight, you’re mine.”

The atmosphere turned electric as the bidding war erupted between Dylan and Roel.

“Four hundred fifty thousand.”

“Six hundred thousand.”

“Seven hundred thousand.”

“One million.”

The numbers soared. Others didn’t dare join in. The entire room watched, breath held, as the two men stared each other down.

Selena clung to Dylan’s arm, urging softly, “Go higher, Dylan. I love that jade. Please?”

Cassidy’s heart clenched as she caught Selena’s sweet, spoiled expression — so familiar, so fake.

The bidding hit three million.

Silence fell as Dylan paused, calculating. Then, with a cold smile, he raised his hand again.

“Four million five hundred thousand dollars.”

A shocked murmur rippled through the room. No jade was worth that much.

Roel moved to raise the price, but Cassidy gently tugged his sleeve, leaning close to whisper in his ear.

No one heard what she said. They only saw the faint, knowing smile spread across Roel’s face as he lowered his hand.

The jade went to Dylan for four and a half million dollars.

But instead of satisfaction, his eyes burned with frustration.

What had Cassidy whispered… and why did he suddenly feel like the real winner wasn’t him?