5. Alan's Evil Plan

Meanwhile, Cassie had just arrived at the bus stop, waiting for the vehicle to her apartment. She didn't know that a burly man in a black suit was watching her from a distance. It was Blake, Professor Charles' henchman.

Through a small communication device in his ear, Blake spoke softly. "Target appears safe. Moving towards the bus route. Approximately ten meters away."

Blake walked casually, as if he were just an ordinary pedestrian. But his eyes were alert, watching everyone who passed Cassie. He even saw Alan briefly appear on the corner of the street, but he quickly disappeared when he saw Blake approaching.

"Threat receding. Will continue to monitor," Blake muttered, following from a distance.

Night fell. In her apartment, Cassie lay down on the bed, still thinking about Charles. Her eyes stared at the ceiling.

"I know there's something strange about Prof. Charles," she whispered.

"But why can't I stop thinking about him?"

Cassie looked at her phone, opening a text message from Charles that had just arrived.

"Have you arrived home safely? Be careful and don't forget to have dinner. Charles."

Cassie smiled faintly. "He's so sweet!"

However, the girl didn't know that outside her apartment window, Blake was still on guard. Disguised as a man sitting on a park bench across from the building.

On the other side of the city, Alan slammed his chair to the floor. He knew he was being followed.

"So, you're really deploying bodyguards, Charles?" he hissed.

"If that's the war you want, I'm ready!"

Alan opened his laptop and brought up recordings of Cassie and Charles that seemed to show a different emotional connection between lecturer and student. It turned out that Alan had been secretly observing their movements all this time.

"Just one mistake from you, Charles, and I'll reveal everything! Ha-ha-ha!" he exclaimed, laughing cynically.

At his residence, Charles stood on the balcony while looking at the stars that were beginning to appear. His hand gripped a glass of red wine, but his mind was far from enjoyment.

"Cassie ..." he muttered.

"I will protect you, no matter what happens."

Behind him, Grandma Evelyn approached and said softly, "Charles, you can hide who you are from the world. But never hide who you are from the person you love."

Charles closed his eyes. He knew that sooner or later, his secret would have to be revealed. And when that time came, he only hoped that Cassie could accept all the truth.

Then the Grandma said again. "If you have time, bring that girl to visit our house. Grandma wants to get to know her better."

"It's not the time yet, Grandma," Charles said coldly.

"Charles, you're getting older. You've found a woman you love so much. What are you waiting for? Think about what Grandma said," the grandmother exclaimed, then left her grandson alone.

Night was approaching in London. A cold wind blew the thin curtains of Cassie's apartment, who was lying on the sofa, wearing warm pajamas while watching her favorite classic movie. Her body was a little tired after a long day at campus, but her face looked calm.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

"Suzy," Cassie muttered, seeing her co-worker's name on the phone screen. She immediately answered the phone call.

"Hello, Suzy?"

"Cass, I'm so sorry to bother you at night. I have a terrible stomach ache. I don't think I can come to work tonight." Suzy's voice sounded weak. "The manager needs one person to guard the VIP room. Can you replace me?"

Cassie thought for a moment. She actually wanted to rest, but Suzy was her best friend.

"Alright, I'll help you. You rest, okay? Don't force yourself."

Suzy sounded relieved. "Thanks, Cassie. You're really my savior!"

After hanging up the phone, Cassie stood up, heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. She immediately put on her bar work clothes, a fitted black shirt, a formal mini skirt, and a small apron with the logo of the bar where she worked part-time.

A few minutes later, Cassie walked quickly through the cold night towards the bar. She didn't know that Alan, the man she had once rejected outright, was following her secretly from a distance. Wearing a dark hoodie and a hat, Alan smiled slyly.

"Cassie's going to the bar, huh?" he whispered.

"Good! Tonight I'll have some time alone with you!" Alan exclaimed cunningly.

Arriving at the bar, Cassie immediately greeted her colleagues and said that she was replacing Suzy. The bar manager, a middle-aged man named Mr. Redford, approached her.

"Cassie, it's good you came. There's a VIP customer who wants to be served directly tonight. Take two glasses of the best red wine, deliver them to VIP room three," he said, handing over several dollar bills as a tip for her.

Cassie frowned slightly. "The guest is very special, Boss, that you gave me money first?"

Mr. Redford laughed. "Ha-ha-ha. Yes, you could say that. That person is a special customer. They like to be served by someone as friendly as you. Don't worry, just accompany them for a drink."

Cassie nodded, then took a tray containing two glasses of wine and headed to the stairs to the VIP room. The lights were dim and the atmosphere of the room looked luxurious, containing leather sofas and a glass table. Cassie knocked on the door of VIP three and opened it slowly.

However, her steps immediately stopped. Her face turned pale when she saw who was sitting in the room.

"Alan?"

The man turned his head, smiling triumphantly. "Cassie, finally we can talk without interruption," he said calmly.

Cassie immediately backed away. "I think this is wrong. I didn't know you were here."

Cassie turned to leave, but the handle didn't move. She tried to turn it again. Locked. Her eyes looked at the glass door, Mr. Redford was outside and the boss pretended not to see her.

Cassie began to panic. "Mr. Redford! Open the door! This is wrong!" But there was no response.

Alan stood up slowly and said calmly, "Relax, Cassie. I just want you to sit and have a drink with me. That's all. I promise, there's nothing else."

Cassie looked at him sharply. "Why are you doing this, Alan?"

"Because you always avoid me," Alan replied, approaching. "Do you think you're too good for me?"

Cassie stepped back. The girl realized this was a trap. But she had to stay calm.

"If you really just want to talk, I'll sit down. But only one glass. After that I'm leaving."

Alan smiled widely. "That's more than enough."

Cassie sat down, taking a glass of wine. Alan also toasted. They touched glasses.

"For an accidental meeting."

Cassie only raised her glass slightly and took a sip. But soon, she felt strange. Dizzy. Her head was heavy. Her breath began to be irregular.

Alan looked at her with satisfaction. "You look so beautiful tonight, Honey."

Cassie blinked. The world around her began to blur. But in between her declining consciousness, she could hear a small ringing from the communication device in someone's ear outside the door.

Not long after, the door to VIP three was forced open.

A tall, burly man burst in. "Cassie!" he exclaimed.

It was Blake.

Alan was surprised, "Who are you?"

Blake didn't answer. He immediately pulled Cassie from the sofa and led her out of the room.

"Don't touch her!" Alan was angry and tried to stop Blake, but with one quick movement, Blake knocked him to the floor.

"Stay there if you don't want to get arrested," Blake said with sharp eyes.

Outside, several security officers followed. Blake gestured to one of them. "Contact the police. Prepare an ambulance too. This woman was given a dangerous substance."

Alan shouted, "You have no proof!"

Blake turned sharply. "This bar's cameras are all active. And I'm sure the substance you put in Cassie's drink can be tested."

Immediately there was a look of fear on Alan's face. He immediately called someone.

Cassie was taken to the hospital that night. After being examined, the doctor stated that her condition was stable, she only needed rest. Blake sat in the hospital waiting room, then called someone.

"Mr. Charles, Miss Cassie is safe. I arrived just in time."

At the other end, Charles' voice sounded relieved. "Thank you, Blake. Don't let her be alone tonight."

The next day, Cassie woke up in the hospital. Beside her bed, there was a letter from Blake.

"Miss Cassie, I'm sorry for having to keep this a secret. I was assigned by someone who cares very much about you. Someone who doesn't want you to know who he is, at least not yet. But believe me, you mean a lot to him."

Cassie looked at the ceiling, trying to digest everything. In her heart, she began to guess, "Who is actually the figure behind this protection?”