Chapter 1296: Get it together, fool.

"Patricia Miller has a good brother. She just doesn’t realize it."

Theo’s mouth curved downward, the air around him growing tense. "What do you want, Cassandra?"

"What do I want? Haha. I don’t know, honestly," she laughed. "I just never thought I’d see that face again... especially after I told you I never wanted to see it again."

"You—" Theo clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. His eyes glinted as he glared at her. Cassandra tilted her head to the side, watching him.

Standing by his side, Cassandra scanned his face before raising a brow. When their gazes met, the corner of her lips curled up.

"You look... nice," she remarked. "Had I known you’d grow into such a fine young man, I wouldn’t have been so cruel to you."

"Haha..." Theo let out a bitter laugh. "Don’t tell me you suddenly want to fuck me?"

Patricia, who had been listening, covered her mouth. Her eyes almost bulge out of their sockets. ’Brother Theo, don’t tell me you — no!!!’

All her life, Theo had been pure in her eyes — like holy water. She had barely ever heard him curse, and even then, never anything too vulgar. Compared to Angel, who had a habit of swearing, Patricia was convinced her brother was an angel. Angel was the fake one and Mylo — downright diabolical.

"Oh... isn’t that cute?" Cassandra chuckled. "Are you interested?"

"You’re crazy," Theo shook his head in disbelief. "Cassandra, whatever reason you had for ambushing me here, I don’t care. If you think bringing up the past will affect me, it won’t. That’s all behind me. Your little threats don’t work anymore."

"Oh? Because you have the Bennets on your side now?" Cassandra arched her brow, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Theo Miller, screwing with you is easy if I want to. All I need to do is threaten your sister, and you’d come begging on your knees."

Amusement flickered in her eyes as she watched the anger blaze in his. "I still remember how you used to beg me not to drag your sister into everything. I mean... she should be the one begging for forgiveness, considering she’s trying to take something that isn’t hers."

Her lips curled into a taunting smirk as she added, "Tell me, does she have any friends now?"

Theo stiffened, his fists clenching tighter. He knew Patricia had made "friends" before they left to study abroad. It was the reason she got angry at Theo because she didn’t know that those people whom she called friends were just Cassandra’s minions. When they returned, Patricia had a few but all of them also didn’t last. Then again, maybe it was because of Patricia’s terrible attitude.

Or so, what Theo believed.

"Don’t tell me..." he trailed off as Cassandra’s smirk stretched.

"Before you left, Patricia had made friends, hadn’t she? When she came back, who do you think she immediately reached out to?"

"You—" His breath hitched, his fists trembling as he fought the urge to raise a hand at her. ’Hitting a woman is never okay,’ he reminded himself, gritting his teeth.

Cassandra leaned in, brushing the back of her hand against his shoulder. Her lips hovered near his ear as she whispered, "Did you really think you had anywhere to run?"

She pulled back slightly, her gaze flickering to the side. "Don’t worry, though. I’m done with the Millers. I’ve already vented my anger. So... stop giving me that look, alright? Nina keeps asking whether we are close, and frankly, it’s annoying to explain because you can’t even control your face."

With that, Cassandra took a step back and studied his reddening face. "May this be the last time we cross paths, Theo Miller."

Then, she turned her back on him and walked away. But just before disappearing from sight, she glanced over her shoulder, smirked, and continued on.

Theo remained frozen in place, his head hanging low, his heart clenched with frustration. He was angry. Back then, Cassandra had hidden behind a meek facade. Now, she was bold—twisted, even.

Beautiful? Maybe on the outside. But beneath that, she was a witch in a pretty shell.

"Damn it," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "And I’m still with Patricia."

No amount of deep breathing could quell his rage. But knowing his sister was here, he forced himself to swallow it. Going back to the restroom, he splashed cold water on his face.

Gripping the sink, he locked eyes with his reflection. "That woman..." he murmured, scoffing. "Just because... she’s the Senator’s granddaughter."

The realization made him wince. Cassandra was untouchable. No matter how much he wanted to retaliate, he had to let it go. Besides, what more could she do to Patricia that she hadn’t already?

"Get it together, fool," he muttered, slapping himself lightly. "Get it together."

After another rinse, he dried his face and headed back to their table.

"Sorry that took a while," he said casually, as if nothing had happened.

Patricia smiled at him. "Brother Theo, I need to use the restroom. I’ve been holding it in."

"Oh..." Theo nodded. "You should’ve gone earlier."

"I couldn’t just leave our things unattended. Anyway, I’ll be right back."

Theo furrowed his brows, watching her stand up. As she walked away, he exhaled another shallow breath. His eyes drifted to the small gift on the table—the one Patricia had bought for him with her first paycheck. A faint smile crossed his lips. The sight of it had a calming effect on him.

Little did he know, Patricia’s own turmoil was far from over.

Instead of heading to the restroom, she turned toward the private dining rooms. Her need to use the bathroom had completely disappeared.

Standing before one of the private rooms, she reached for the door and slid it open.

As soon as she did, Cassandra and Nina—who had just stood up from their seats—flinched in surprise.

"Patricia?" Nina gasped, caught off guard by the dark look on Patricia’s face.

But Patricia wasn’t looking at Nina.

Her gaze was locked on Cassandra.

Cassandra raised a brow. "Patricia Mill—"

SLAP!