Chapter 1338: Marrying me would be worse than death

When Dean first approached Cassandra, he had been kind, charming, and funny. Their first meeting was just a chat over coffee, but even after finishing their drinks, they kept talking. And it was clear—Dean had shown interest in Cassandra.

That was why she felt a little torn.

Cassandra had harbored a long-time crush on the number one student in the Star Section. She had liked him so much that, back in the day, she started resenting Finn. After all, her engagement to Finn—and how others teased her about her fiancé—had made her feel as if she had no freedom to like anyone else.

Had Finn ever told her he wanted that marriage, she would’ve hated him to the core. But Finn and Cassandra had always been on the same page. Their mutual reluctance had been the foundation of their friendship.

In other words, when she had accidentally bumped into Dean that day, a silly thought crossed her mind.

What if... she gave it a try with him?

Sure, Cassandra was with Jonathan. But for the longest time, they hadn’t put a label on it. They were only just starting. So, even if she knew she might hurt Jonathan in some way, the idea of being with Dean had lingered.

But then something changed.

Why did Cassandra get rid of that thought?

Why did she suddenly stop talking—or even thinking—about it?

It wasn’t as if she woke up one day and simply changed her mind.

It was that moment when Jonathan had mentioned Dean and warned her about the Piersons.

At the time, she didn’t want to dwell on it. But she couldn’t help it.

After all, she had gone to the same university as Dean, yet even when they had crossed paths, he had never spared her a glance. Even when Cassandra had approached him briefly back then, he had merely smiled, said a few words, and left.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t known who she was.

Dean had known her.

Even though he had rarely attended school, with his sharp mind, he knew everyone in the Star Section—their names, their ages, the families they came from, and what businesses those families ran.

So she asked herself:

Had Dean deliberately approached her that day?

Had it not been an accident?

To get her answer, Cassandra had made some deliberate choices. One of them was this engagement.

The moment rumors about her engagement to Jonathan began circulating in hushed whispers, Dean started sending her more and more emails.

That alone had answered her question—like a slap to the face.

So, could anyone blame her?

If, in the end, she simply felt like she should’ve just stayed with Finn?

At least Finn had been genuine toward her. At least he hadn’t wanted her just because he needed her.

---

[Present Time]

Cassandra turned toward the window, her expression fierce, while Dean sat on the opposite side of the backseat.

"What do you want, Director Dean Pierson?" she asked, her voice sharp. "I’m giving you one minute before I consider pressing charges for holding me captive against my will."

Dean smirked, chuckling. "You’re far better like this, Cassandra."

"You—" Her breath hitched as she turned back to him, only to find his face far too close to hers.

"You were part of the Star Section," he murmured, studying her face up close. "I didn’t see it clearly last time, but you... you really aren’t the type of woman you pretend to be."

Not the same woman she had portrayed herself as the last time they had met.

Cassandra swallowed hard as he pulled back.

"You told me to drop the pretense. And I’m assuming you already know our family meeting was postponed." She exhaled sharply. "So I’m really not in the mood for whatever game you’re playing right now."

"What do you want?" she demanded, this time firmer. "Get to the point."

"Don’t be like that. We were classmates back then—calm down," he mused, entertained by the chaos flickering in her eyes.

Then, casually, he added, "You and that bastard... you’re kind of a match, you know?"

"What?"

"Haha. Don’t tell me you think you and I are?" He laughed, making her stiffen, her neck tightening with restraint. "Though, for a second, I did think you were into me. I wonder what changed."

"Is that why you dragged me in here?"

"No." Dean shook his head. "Just before I saw you, I was thinking of proposing."

"...What?"

He smiled. "I was thinking you should just marry me. I mean, compared to your fiancé, I’m the better match in terms of status. But then I changed my mind."

"I don’t want to punish you," he added. "Marrying me would be worse than death for you.

"After all, you seem like the type to cling to people, to seek something from them. And when you don’t get it, you play this little game where you take what you want—but make sure you don’t look like the bad guy coveting something that isn’t yours."

"Hah!" Cassandra scoffed, raising her hand to slap him.

But before she could strike, Dean caught her wrist.

His grip was firm but effortless, his expression unreadable.

"You and I aren’t so different, Cassandra," he murmured. "The only difference is... I don’t hurt the people who have protected my name—even in my absence."

Her hand curled into a fist, her nails digging into her palm. "I don’t understand what you’re saying."

Dean tilted his head. "You’re smart, Cass. But don’t forget who held that number one spot—one that neither Ray nor Finn could ever challenge."

He tossed her arm back to her.

"I know exactly what you’re trying to do," he continued. "Pulling Zoren Pierson away from that engagement party, knowing full well the Davis Family would have no qualms about trampling Nina’s family without him there."

That was what Cassandra had believed.

What she had hoped would happen.

"You want that family dinner to turn into a disaster." His smirk returned. "Why? Because you want Finn back, isn’t it?"

His gaze was sharp, stripping away the layers of pretense she had wrapped around herself.

"And if their families don’t get along, the relationship will be compromised..." His smirk faded and his eyes darkened. "You’ll fit in well with the Pierson Family," he remarked, raising his brows knowingly.

Then, casually, he added, "I have an offer for you, Cassandra. I suggest you think about it carefully. Because if you don’t... You and Jonathan? You’ll live a living in hell in this family. And I’ll make sure of it."

He paused, then his smile returned.

"Welcome to the Pierson Family, Cassandra."