Chapter 30
The sudden burst of bright headlights from the black car lit up the road, casting a blinding white glow.
Cassie winced as the pain from the impact radiated through her back. She wasn’t sure if anything was broken, but as she looked at the approaching lights, her fear dissipated in an instani.
The black car executed a sharp spin and, at just the right moment, collided with the motorcycle as it charged towards them. The rider was catapulted off, slamming into the pavement with thud.
Anne, frightened, instinctively moved to shield Cassie, wrapping her in a protective embrace.
Cassie’s face was pale with pain, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead. She leaned into Anne’s chest, her voice soft but steady. “Mom, it’s okay now.”
Anne looked confused, not grasping what Ca**ic was trying to convey.
At that moment, the door of the black car swung open, and a tail man walked out from the driver’s side. He hurried over t Cassie, concern etched on his face. “What happened?”Content © NôvelDrama.Org.
Anne’s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the man. “Marcus?”
“Focus on the guy on the motorcycle, not me. Cassie gritted out.
to
Marcus’s face turned grave as he saw the agony etched on Cassie’s face. “He’s not getting away, he assured her, moving as if to lift her.
“Whoa, that hurts! I think something might be broken, Cas*ic protested, wincing
Marcus’s features grew even more somber. He carefully felt along Cassie’s back, checking for any serious injuries, seemingly ignoring Anne’s presence. After a moment, he exhaled in relief. “You’re okay. Nothing’s broken”
Cassie looked at Marcus skeptically, thinking, ‘Can he really tell just by touching? Is he a doctor? Or has he just seen his fair share of injuries?
“Tve got people who can help. I’m taking you to the hospital, Marcus declared, ready to act
“No hospital if my bones are intact,” Cassie insisted, shaking her head. “The Murphy family’s been through enough lately. Let’s not add to the drama
Marcus frowned in concern but respected her wishes. “Then I’ll take you home,” he said, turning his back to her. With her back in pain, a hug was out of the question.
Anne, realizing she couldn’t manage to carry Cassie by herself, hesitated for a moment before stepping in to help. Together, they cased Cassie onto Marcus’s back.
They retraced their steps down the same narrow path. The roses lining the way were in full, vibrant bloom, their beauty seemingly oblivious to the urgency that Marcus felt as he carried Cassie. He moved with a swift, determined pace toward the Murphy residence.
Cassie’s head nestled against Marcus’s shoulder, her thoughts muddled by the throbbing pain. She was filled with questions. Who was the motorcycle rider, and has he been targeting me or Mom? And what was Marcus doing outside our home? Was his presence there just a lucky coincidence, or did he frequent the area?
When Louisa had finished tidying up the kitchen and stepped outside, Anne’s urgent call cut through the air. “Louisa! Grab the first aid kit, hurry!”
Moments later, the sound of Heston and Lucas thundering down the stairs echoed through the house, spurred by the news of Cassie’s attack. Julla and Simon weren’t far behind.
As Cassie tended to the bruises on her back in her room, Heston’s face froze in anger when he spotted Marcus. “You little punk! Did you hurt my precious granddaughter? What business do you have messing with my Cassie? I’m settling the score with you today!”
“Dad, wait,” Anne interjected swiftly. “It was Mr. Anderson who came to our rescue.”
“Huh?” Heston’s eyes widened in surprise. “He did!?”
Anne quickly filled Heston in on the events that had transpired,
With a furrowed brow. Heston honed in on the details. “What were you doing lurking around my house at night?”
Just passing through, Marcus said nonchalantly. “I was feeling a bit worn out, so I thought I’d take a breather by the
roadside.
Heston’s glare didn’t waver. He harbored a deep-seated bias against Marcus, his suspicions about the man’s motives never far from his mind.
“Dad” Lucas sighed, the weight of the situation making him feel utterly helpless.
“Where is that jerk?” Heston demanded, his gaze sweeping the room. “Where’s the one who hurt my granddaughter?”
“He’s already here.” Anne said, “He broke his leg and is in quite a bit of pain. Larry just threw him into the garden.”
Just a broken leg? That’s not enough! He hurt Cassie; he deserves to have his neck broken, Heston bellowed, his anger boiling over as he prepared to storm the garden.
Not far off, Simon looked visibly uneasy. He frowned and stole a glance at Julia beside him, his mind racing. ‘Please tell me this fool didn’t arrange for someone to hurt Cassie.
Julia caught Simon’s worried expression and quickly shook her head, mouthing, “It wasn’t me.”
Simon exhaled a small sigh of relief. But as he turned, he found himself in the unsettling gaze of Marcus, who stood across from him.
Simon had never experienced such a feeling before. It was as if he were prey caught in the sights of a predatory beast. Yet, Marcus’s piercing look was fleeting. Still, it left a shiver down Simon’s spine, as if Marcus knew some of his secrets.
Why would Marcus save Cassie?’ Simon pondered. ‘Aren’t the rumors saying he is cold-blooded, ruthless? He has killed his own uncles and cousins.
At that moment, the door to Cassie’s room burst open.
“Cassie, Heston whirled around and hurried back, his eyes landing on Cassie’s pale face. His heart ached. “Does it hurt a lot?
“It’s fine.” Cassie offered a soft smile and shook her head. “Nothing’s broken; don’t worry.”
“How can I not worry? Heston’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. But remembering Marcus standing behind him, he swallowed his emotions. He couldn’t show vulnerability in front of Marcus.
“Where is he?” Cassie’s voice took on a sudden edge.
“He’s in the garden. Don’t stress about it. Just rest, and I’ll handle, Heston assured her.
“Not a chance,” Cassie said, biting her lip, her eyes flashing with resolve. If he hit me. I’m taking it up with him myself:
The room fell into a momentary silence, everyone a bit stunned by Cassie’s transformation. This wasn’t the Cassie they knew, the one who used to let things go, always finding excuses for others’ wrongdoings.
“Ms. Murphy’s got some spine Marcus remarked.
Cassie turned to Marcus, then shifted her gaze back to Heston.
Heston huffed, fuming. “Of course, Just look at whose granddaughter she is.”
Julia’s gaze flickered between Cassie and Marcus, her expression whirlwind of emotions. She sensed something amiss between the two, but before she could ponder it further, the group moved Cassie out into the garden.
The motorcycle rider was lying on the ground, his cries of pain echoing around them. No one had bothered to remove his helmet, and his tight leather gear only added to his menacing appearance, especially with his leg twisted at an unnatural
angle.
“Get that helmet off. I want to see who this jerk is,” Ca**ic commanded.
Larry didn’t hesitate, pulling the helmet off as if he were uprooting a weed..
As soon as the rider was unmasked, he tried to shrink away, but Larry kicked him back down with a swift motion. “What are you hiding for? Now you realize your face can’t be seen?”
With that kick, the man’s face was revealed to everyone.
“Mr. Gaiman?” Julia was the first to recognize him.
Who? Heston frowned, clearly puzzled.
“Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Gaiman, Cassie stated firmly.
“What?” Anne gasped, joining the group as she recognized him. You’re my daughter’s teacher. We haven’t even discussed the false accusations of cheating you leveled against her today, and now you’re here, attacking her?”
Donald was in a panic, completely at a loss for words. The truth had come out, and it was clear Cassie had been innocent of the cheating allegations. The school administration was furious, warning him that Marcus might withdraw his investment in the new campus if Donald didn’t apologize to Cassie and the Murphy family.
Donald wasn’t about to risk his job, which paid significantly more than most. So, he had set out to make amends. But as he rode over, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He, a respected teacher, was being forced into a late-night apology to a student with a tarnished reputation. It all came down to his lack of social standing.
Unlike Ca**ic, who came from a family that owned a massive company and had powerful allies like Marcus in her comer. The frustration built up inside him, and as he passed a sporting goods store that was about to close, he impulsively bought a baseball bat
By the time he reached Cassie’s neighborhood, he was actually feeling slightly calmer. But then he saw Cassie and her mom, taking a leisurely stroll. They seemed to be in their own world, chatting about something that made Cassie Laugh.
Donald’s anger, which had started to subside, ignited once again. Here he was, in turmoiland distress, while Cassie, the cause of all his trouble, was acting as if nothing had happened.
His future was at risk because of Cassie, who seemed to be unaffected by it all. He believed it wasn’t fair.
Driven by his rage, he gripped the baseball bat and charged forward. He had a plan. The motorcycle was unregistered, and with his leather outfit and helmet, he would be unrecognizable. After striking out, he could just disappear into the night. No one would know who he was.
But Donald had not anticipated Marcus’s sudden appearance.
*
*
“I didn’t mean it!” Donald hastily tried to undo his actions, realizing the gravity of his mistake. “It was just a moment of impulse. Cassie, you’re okay. I’ll cover your medical expenses and I’ll quit the school. I swear I won’t cross paths with you. again. Please, forgive me this time,”
With tears streaming down his face, he was pleading. “I’ve got two little kids at home, and my wife is a stay-at-home mom. If something happens to me, they’ll be left with nothing.
Everyone was aware of Cassie’s true nature-a genuinely kind person, who even amidst her recent changes in temperament. had helped a family in need.
your wife
Cassie looked down at Donald, her expression cold and unyielding. “When you attacked me, did you think about y and kids? You didn’t consider them, so why should I? Why should I care?”
Everyone was taken aback by her words. “Larry, take him to the police station and press charges for attempted murder,” Cassie instructed, then turned to walk away.