Seventy Eight

Chapter 78

Antonio and Cassandra arrived at the grand estate that served as their residence. The large iron gates closed behind them with a resounding clang as the car stopped in the driveway. Antonio stepped out first, quickly moving to Cassandra's side to help her out of the car.

"Cass, are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of discomfort.

Cassandra nodded, offering a faint smile. "I'm fine, Antonio. Really. Just a bit tired."

"Let's get you inside so you can rest," Antonio's voice was soft, but there was a commanding tone that left no room for argument.

Once inside, Cassandra sank onto the plush couch in the living room. The warm light from the chandelier above cast a soothing glow, but the tension between them remained palpable. Antonio paced for a moment before suddenly stopping.

"Cass," he began seriously, "I need to step out for a while. There are some things I need to handle with my men. The situation from earlier needs to be addressed immediately."

Cassandra looked up at him, her expression neutral. "I understand. Go. I'll be fine here."

Antonio hesitated for a moment, as if considering whether to say more, but then nodded. He stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Lock the doors and don't let anyone in, okay?"

"Okay," she replied softly.

Antonio lingered a moment longer, his gaze fixed on Cassandra's face, before turning and walking out the door. The sound of the car engine starting and pulling away echoed faintly through the quiet estate.

Left alone, Cassandra let out a long sigh. She leaned back on the couch, closing her eyes briefly to collect her thoughts. The day's events replayed in her mind, each moment growing more confusing. Just as she was about to get up and head to her room, her phone buzzed on the coffee table.

Frowning, she reached for it. The screen displayed a message from Alexander:

"We need to talk. It's about Antonio. Meet me tomorrow. Same place."

Cassandra's heart sank. She stared at the message for a long moment, her mind racing. She could almost hear Alexander's voice, calm yet insistent, demanding answers. The guilt she had been trying to suppress surged to the surface. She knew meeting him was dangerous, but there were too many unanswered questions.

She sighed heavily, her fingers hesitating over the keyboard before finally typing a single word in response:

"Okay."

Meanwhile, Antonio was on his way to a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Ben had called earlier, informing him of new developments. The car stopped in the dimly lit area, and Antonio stepped out, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows. Ben emerged from the warehouse, his expression grim.

"Mr. Antonio," Ben greeted, bowing his head slightly. "We've confirmed some details about the car involved in the attack."

Antonio gestured for him to continue as they walked inside. The warehouse was bustling with activity, Antonio's men combing through documents and reviewing footage from the incident.

Ben led him to a table where Marcus, one of Antonio's most trusted lieutenants, was waiting. Marcus stood as Antonio approached, nodding in acknowledgment.

"We traced the vehicle," Marcus began, spreading out several photos and documents. "It was rented under the name Thomas Rivera."

Antonio's jaw tightened. "Thomas?"

"Yes," Marcus confirmed. "He's one of your former associates. We've been keeping an eye on him since he left, but it seems he's been working against us for some time now."

Ben added with a serious tone. "The car was abandoned not far from here. We're trying to track him down, but he's gone underground. This wasn't a random attack, sir. He's targeting you."

Antonio's eyes darkened. "And he used a rented car? Amateurish. But it also means he's desperate."

"We've secured the car," Marcus added. "It's being analyzed for any further leads."

Antonio nodded, his mind working quickly. "I want every resource dedicated to finding him. If he's foolish enough to come after me, then he's a threat we can't ignore."

Marcus and Ben both nodded. "Understood, sir," they replied in unison.

Antonio turned and walked toward the exit, his expression unreadable. As he stepped outside, he glanced at the starless sky, his thoughts momentarily drifting to Cassandra. He couldn't shake the feeling that the danger wasn't just from external threats. There was something else—something deeper—that was threatening to unravel everything.

"Let's go," he said to his driver, sliding into the backseat of the waiting car.

The engine roared to life, and the vehicle disappeared into the night, leaving only the faint echo of tires on asphalt.

Cassandra sat in the living room, her vacant gaze fixed on the window. Thoughts of Alexander's message unsettled her. She knew she couldn't simply ignore it. After long deliberation, she finally got up and headed to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea, hoping the warm drink might soothe her nerves.

However, a knock at the front door startled her. Cassandra froze mid-step, anxiety creeping over her. Antonio had told her not to open the door for anyone, but curiosity overpowered her fear.

"Who is it?" she asked, her voice slightly shaky.

"It's me, Maya," a woman's voice replied from outside.

Cassandra let out a relieved sigh. Maya was one of the housemaids, and she often helped Cassandra. Opening the door, she saw Maya standing there with a small tray of snacks.

"Sorry to disturb you, Miss Cassandra. I thought you might be hungry," Maya said with a warm smile.

Cassandra returned a faint smile. "Thank you, Maya. I really needed this."

Maya stepped inside, placing the tray on the table, then looked at Cassandra with concern. "You look a bit pale. Are you alright, miss?"

"I'm just tired," Cassandra lied with a small smile. "Today has been exhausting."

Maya nodded. "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. If you need anything, just call me."

After Maya left, Cassandra sat back down on the couch, staring at the food on the table without appetite. She knew she had to carefully think about her next move. Alexander clearly wouldn't back down, and she needed to find a way to handle the situation without making things worse.

At the warehouse, the atmosphere grew more intense. Ben and Marcus were reviewing the latest reports coming in from their field teams. Antonio sat in a chair with his arms crossed, his mind focused on the next steps.

"Do we have any leads on where Thomas might be hiding?" he asked, his voice calm yet authoritative.

Marcus shook his head. "Not yet, sir. But we have a few clues. One of his men was spotted near the docks a few hours ago."

"Send a team there," Antonio ordered without hesitation. "I want a report immediately. If Thomas is there, I want him brought to me alive."

Ben looked at Antonio. "What are you planning, sir? If Thomas is truly working with your enemies, this could get more complicated."

"I know," Antonio replied firmly. "But this isn't just about me. It's about protecting everyone under my care. If there's a traitor among us, I need to ensure they don't get another chance to strike."

The night wore on, but there were no signs of slowing down. Antonio knew that time was of the essence, and he wouldn't let his enemies gain the upper hand.