Chapter 3

The next afternoon, I met Daniel at a quiet park. The air become crisp, the leaves crunching underfoot as we walked to a quite secluded bench. My thoughts become racing, seeking to prepare for whatever he had to inform me.

"Thanks for coming, Daniel," I said, sitting down. "What have you ever found out?"

He pulled out a folder and opened it, the load of it already making my stomach churn. "I dug deeper into Cassandra's past. Turns out she has a long history of manipulation—usually with a reason to advantage strength or cash."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "So, she's completed this sort of factor before?"

"Exactly," Daniel showed. "She’s been gambling people for years, bending conditions to her benefit. Her manipulate over Lucas? It became simply another one in all her schemes."

I clenched my fists, seeking to hold my voice consistent. "We need to show her. Lucas has to understand the whole truth—the whole thing."

Daniel nodded. "I additionally observed proof that she used insider statistics to sabotage your enterprise in the course of the divorce."

My blood boiled. "I knew some thing wasn’t proper. How do we use this?"

"We acquire the whole lot and present it in a manner that can’t be omitted," Daniel stated. "But we have to be cautious. Cassandra’s a grasp at twisting situations to her gain."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the hurricane of emotions swirling interior me. "Let’s meet with Lucas this night. He desires to peer all of this for himself."

That night, Daniel and I headed to a non-public room in a eating place wherein Lucas became expecting us. My heart pounded as we walked in, but I compelled myself to stay composed. Lucas stood whilst he noticed us, his face a combination of fear and wish.

"Emma, Daniel, thanks for coming," he stated, his voice tight with nerves. "What’s occurring?"

I wasted no time. "Lucas, we’ve found some thing approximately Cassandra which you need to look."

Daniel exceeded over the folder, his expression extreme. "This consists of proof of Cassandra’s manipulations. She’s been deceiving you—making you agree with things that weren’t authentic."

Lucas took the folder, flipping via the files. With every web page, his face grew paler. "I had no idea..."

My voice became calm, however my anger simmered below the floor. "She played both folks, Lucas. She made you agree with the whole lot changed into my fault so you’d facet together with her."

He seemed up, regret clean in his eyes. "I should have known. I’m so sorry, Emma. I swear, I had no clue."

I gave a small nod, keeping my emotions in test. "It’s no longer about apologies proper now. We want to act."

Lucas’s eyes full of determination. "How can I assist?"

"We want to expose Cassandra," I said firmly. "You have connections. Use them to make sure this records reaches the right human beings. We can’t let her preserve manipulating others."

Lucas nodded without hesitation. "I’ll do something it takes to make this right."

As we stated our goodbyes, I felt a glimmer of desire. Maybe, simply perhaps, Lucas turned into sincere this time. Maybe we should subsequently prevent Cassandra.

Daniel and I walked out together, aspect by means of aspect. "Do you watched Lucas will follow thru?" Daniel asked, his voice cautious.

"I desire so," I answered, though uncertainty nevertheless lingered in my chest. "It’s a small step, however it’s inside the proper direction."

We glanced returned at Lucas, who was already on his smartphone, talking to someone. The combat wasn’t over yet—no longer with the aid of an extended shot—but with his help, we'd simply have the ability to reveal Cassandra’s lies and take again manipulate of our lives.

The next few days flew by way of in a blur. I threw myself into my interior design tasks, trying to preserve some feel of normalcy while the drama with Lucas and Cassandra unfolded within the historical past. Every nighttime, I checked in with Daniel for updates on our progress.

Then one afternoon, my smartphone buzzed with a message from Lucas. Can we meet tomorrow morning? I even have an replace on Cassandra.

I quickly answered, Sure. Let’s meet on the café we went to earlier than.

The following morning, I walked into the café, my heart racing. There he turned into, sitting at a desk, already deep in idea. He stood as I approached, providing a brief hug before we sat down.

"Thanks for coming, Emma," Lucas stated, his voice low. "I’ve been digging into Cassandra’s schemes. It’s no longer been smooth."

I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued. "What’s the replace?"

Lucas slid a stack of papers across the table. "I’ve spoken to some of my contacts. They’ve showed that she’s been using her very own connections to cover her tracks. But we’ve gathered enough to start creating a dent."

I skimmed thru the files, my coronary heart pounding with exhilaration. "This is stable. It’ll surely make humans pay interest."

Lucas nodded, even though his expression remained severe. "I’ve installation a assembly with a journalist tomorrow. He’s inquisitive about going for walks a tale that could disclose her. If it gets published, she’ll be in trouble. It ought to forestall her from causing greater harm."

Relief washed over me. "That’s wonderful information, Lucas. This should simply make a difference."

He nevertheless regarded concerned, although. "I simply wish it’s sufficient. Cassandra’s slippery—she’s gotten out of tight spots earlier than."

I reached throughout the table, putting my hand over his. "We’re doing the whole thing we are able to. This is a big leap forward."

As we completed up our verbal exchange and left the café, Lucas supplied to force me again to my office. On the way, we mentioned our next steps and the work nonetheless ahead. I should feel Lucas become in reality trying, which eased a number of my lingering doubts.

When we pulled up outdoor my building, Lucas stopped me earlier than I were given out of the automobile. "Emma, I just need to mention... Thank you. For letting me help. It means more to me than you realize."

I smiled softly. "It’s for each of us, Lucas. I need to understand I can move forward with out Cassandra’s shadow placing over me."

He gave a small nod. "I’ll update you after the interview with the journalist."

I watched him pressure away, a bizarre blend of wish and worry settling in my chest. The battle with Cassandra wasn’t over, however with Lucas’s assist, we have been making real progress.

Back in my workplace, I targeted on my paintings, pouring all my power into it. I wished the distraction, something to hold my mind from spiraling at the same time as the scenario with Cassandra endured to unfold.

Later that afternoon, Daniel called with greater information. "Emma, the journalist is enthusiastic about jogging the story. They’ve already commenced digging into Cassandra’s beyond."

I almost sighed with relief. "That’s amazing. Keep me up to date on whatever new."

"We’re getting closer," Daniel said. "We’ll get via this."

As I hung up the cellphone, a renewed feel of determination crammed me. I didn’t recognise exactly what the future held, but one thing changed into positive: I wasn’t backing down. Not now. Not ever.