Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Peter looked at her kindly and said, “Cassie, isn’t he nice to you? You don’t have to answer me. I know that if he treats you well enough, you won’t want a divorce, let alone hide the fact that you have a child. As a husband, he
is a failure.”
“The Quinn family has always valued relationships. Neither his grandmother nor his parents have had any marital issues. It might be that he isn’t truly a Quinn family member.” Peter let out a smile.
Cassandra, looking guilty and uneasy, responded, “Grandpa Peter, please don’t say that. It’s not entirely his
fault. We’re just not a good match.”
“You don’t have to defend him. He grew up under my watch, and I understand him better than anyone, Cassie. His biggest failure is that you won’t give him a chance. As for whether to tell him about your decision, no matter the outcome, I will support you,” Peter explained.
Cassandra fell silent, caught in a dilemma. ‘Telling Orlando means we can’t have a clean break if we get divorced in the future. If I don’t tell him, would I be too selfish?‘ she pondered.
After a long pause, she finally said, “Okay, I understand.”
“Cassandra, I’m sorry for putting you through so much.” Peter’s expression was filled with distress.
Cassandra smiled and shook her head.
As Peter needed to take medicine, Cassandra came out first. However, when she closed the door and was about to walk forward, a tall and straight figure suddenly emerged from the corner and blocked her way.
They looked at each other and she took the lead in turning away.
Orlando stared at her and asked, “What did you talk about with Grandpa?”
“Nothing,” Cassandra replied.
“Really?” he questioned, his expression skeptical.
Cassandra suddenly thought of William questioning her about the car accident, and her emotions surged. She raised her head, looking indifferent as she said, “You won’t believe me anyway. Whatever I say, in your eyes, it’s
just me gossiping behind your back. After all, in your eyes, I was the one who told Grandpa Peter and your parents that you got into a car accident because of Rebecca, making her image worse in their eyes.”
Her words were laced with thorns.
Orlando frowned slightly and said, “I haven’t said anything. Yet, you have already laid all the blame on me. Cassandra, when did you become so eloquent?”
“What difference does it make whether you say anything or not? The look in your eyes and your thoughts are already determined,” she retorted.
“Do you know what I’m thinking?” he questioned.
“I don’t know,” she replied.
He approached, lowered his head to her ear, and whispered, “I shouldn’t have doubted you. I overthought it. Don’t be angry, okay?”
His soft whispers made her stiff. Orlando’s gentleness often led to misunderstandings. If she didn’t know that he was infatuated with Rebecca, she might have mistaken his tenderness for love.
Cassandra lowered her head and pursed her lips, remaining silent, not responding to his apology. Orlando asked softly, “Are you angry with me?” Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
“No,” she replied nonchalantly.
It was unknown whether Orlando believed her or not, but he didn’t press for further answers.
After that, Peter didn’t bring up Rebecca again, leading Orlando to believe that perhaps Cassandra had said something to make Peter stop pestering him.
The two had dinner at the Quinn Manor, and it was getting late. Since the weather was unpredictable lately, Peter suggested that they leave.
After Cassandra and Orlando departed, Frederick voiced out his concerns, “Dad, how do you think we should handle the situation with Orlando and Rebecca?”
“Rebecca is not allowed to enter the Quinn family, not a year ago, and certainly not now,” the old man asserted vigorously, his cloudy eyes revealing a mysterious depth.
Frederick nodded in agreement. “Certainly. It’s just that having her constantly around Orlando might not be the best solution. This way, Cassie might end up feeling aggrieved.”
“She has been feeling aggrieved for a long time. Even if they divorce, Cassie will forever be a part of our Quinn family. Prepare yourselves for the possibility of that scoundrel being expelled from the family,” Peter declared, expressing his displeasure.
Frederick and Gabriela exchanged a glance, remaining silent.
Gabriela spoke up. “Dad, we like Cassie just as much as you do. We hope she stays with Orlando.”
“Hmph, when he finally decides he wants to be with Cassie, he might need to consider if she’s willing to be with him or not. If she decides to leave him, he’ll regret it for the rest of his life,” Peter remarked.
Peter couldn’t shake off the thought of Cassandra being pregnant, and a surge of frustration made him wish he could give Orlando a good beating. The idea was to keep him in check, preventing him from continuously provoking Cassandra.
Frederick, noticing his father’s subtle expressions, asked, “Dad, did Cassie say something to you?”
.Peter cast a faint glance at Frederick but remained silent till the end.
Cassandra’s reluctance to inform Orlando suggested to Peter that Orlando lacked the qualifications to know. The patriarch couldn’t shake the feeling that Orlando had tarnished the Quinn family’s reputation. Peter believed that if Orlando treated Cassandra poorly, then he deserved to be unaware of the impending child.
He wanted to see what would happen if Orlando knew about it.
During Orlando’s two–week hospital stay, the Quinn Group experienced a bit of turbulence. The prolonged absence of the president raised suspicions among his subordinates.
Orlando resumed his regular work the day after being discharged from the hospital.
Before heading out in the morning, Cassandra reminded him, “Orlando, your foot is still healing. The doctor advised against any vigorous movements, as it could worsen the condition. Be cautious.”
He listened quietly to her advice.
Rebecca, observing Orlando’s gentle demeanor towards Cassandra, felt a pang of discomfort and chimed in, “Landy, Cassandra’s right. How about I take a break from work and accompany you to the office? I can look after
you.”
“No need, I’ll be careful,” he declined, his attention still lingering on Cassandra, who was already putting on her
shoes to leave.
Rebecca’s interjection prompted Cassandra to fall silent.
The three of them left together.
Orlando couldn’t drive due to his foot, so Taylor came to pick him up. Rebecca joined the ride, and Cassandra
drove her own car.
The two vehicles left Dustmeadow Mansion one after the other, parting ways at the entrance.
Cassandra watched the fading car through the rearview mirror, a complex emotion stirring within her.
She bit her lip, shifted her gaze forward, and drove towards the company.
At nine in the morning, Cassandra, along with the project manager from Hawley Real Estate, Kendall, arrived at Quinn Group to submit architectural designs. The plan was to sign a contract and commence construction if everything checked out.
The project manager from Quinn Group received them and escorted them to the meeting room.
While there was initially no need to inform Orlando, Taylor saw Cassandra upon her arrival at the Quinn Group.
THE
Taylor promptly informed Orlando, “Mr. Quinn, Mrs. Quinn is at the company, submitting design drawings with Hawley Real Estate.”
“Already?” Orlando
estioned.
“Yes, she just entered the meeting room,” Taylor replied promptly.
Orlando squinted, putting down the pen and documents in his hand. He then stood up and casually remarked, “Well, let’s take a look now while there’s nothing else to do. It’s a good opportunity to check if there are any issues with the design drawings.”
With that, he lifted his foot and walked towards the door.
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Taylor looked at the towering pile of documents on his desk, wearing a puzzled expression. “This is called having nothing to do?”
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