Chapter 1363: I’m not angry, I’m hurt.

"Just stay out of my life."

As soon as those words left Finn’s mouth, he walked away. He had nothing more to say to her. Or rather, he had plenty—harsh words that could break even someone like her—but he chose to keep it short and precise.

Cassandra, on the other hand, froze. But when she saw him reaching for the door, she snapped out of her trance and quickly ran after him.

"Finn!" She grabbed his arm, stopping him just before he could leave. Her grip tightened, desperation lacing her fingers. She didn’t need to see everything in that envelope to know what it contained. Just the first photo alone was enough.

Cassandra knew what she had done.

"Please," she breathed out. "I can explain."

"There’s no need," Finn said coldly, pulling his arm free. But Cassandra refused to let go. This time, she clung to him with both hands.

"Finn, please don’t do this to me," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I was wrong. I know you’re hurt, but just give me a chance to explain. Please."

For a second, Finn didn’t move. Then, after a moment of silence, he turned his head and met her gaze.

"Angry?" A bitter smile twisted his lips. "I thought I was angry, Cassandra. But I’m not."

He paused, shaking his head as he carefully peeled her fingers off him. Once free, he held both her hands for a brief moment, as if to keep her from reaching for him again.

"I am hurt," he emphasized, staring deep into her eyes. "By your betrayal. Because I would never betray you like this, Cassy. No matter how much I dislike Jonathan."

With that, Finn released her hands, straightened his back, and gazed at her coldly. Tears welled in Cassandra’s eyes, her lips quivering. But Finn didn’t waver. He turned and walked away without looking back.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Cassandra’s knees trembled, and she reached out for support, her hands pressing against the wall.

"Hah..." A scoff left her lips, followed by a tear slipping down her cheek. She stared at the closed door in disbelief. "How did he... how did he find out?"

Her plan had been meticulous. She had hired only the best. She had only met the man once, a single transaction—yet that one meeting had been her mistake. Otherwise, Finn wouldn’t have found out.

"What do I do?" she murmured, staring at the floor. "He can’t just... cut me off like that."

Slowly, Cassandra clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as rage burned in her chest.

---

The night before hadn’t been what Finn expected. He never thought he would have to cut off someone he had spent years protecting. Cassandra’s safety had been one of his priorities in life. And yet, he had failed.

She hadn’t been like this before.

What had gone wrong?

What had changed her?

What had made her capable of something so despicable?

Even though he had told himself that none of that mattered, the questions still weighed on his mind. The betrayal lingered like a bitter taste he couldn’t wash away.

"Ah, shit—!"

A sudden shriek erupted through Penny’s office.

Penny jumped back, clutching the doorframe as she caught her breath. "That scared me."

She patted her chest, regaining composure before her eyes landed on the unexpected guest seated on her couch.

Finn.

"Hey, you know a quick call before showing up wouldn’t kill you," she complained, stepping inside—only to pause when she noticed Wild appearing beside her.

Wild furrowed his brows. "Penny, what’s going on?"

"Uncle Wild, what are you doing here?"

"I was at Yugi’s office and thought I’d drop by. But then I heard you screaming like a banshee, so I came to check." Wild arched a brow playfully. "Who is it this time? That psycho friend of yours? The wannabe assistant? Your mother?"

He paused, narrowing his eyes. "Wait—is it Jessa?" The second the name left his lips, he took a cautious step back.

"Aunt Jessa isn’t here, so don’t worry," Penny replied, pushing the door open wider. "It’s my soon-to-be brother-in-law."

Both Penny and Wild turned their attention to Finn.

They studied him in silence.

He sat motionless, barely blinking, his expression unreadable.

Wild tilted his head. "Hey, Penny... is he alive?"

Penny narrowed her eyes. "Hard to say... Oh! I think he just sighed."

"Did he? Or are you hallucinating?"

"No, I’m pretty sure I saw it."

As the two continued to stare at Finn as if he were a specimen under a microscope, he finally blinked. His gaze slowly lifted, meeting theirs.

Penny and Wild jolted in surprise, realizing how intently they had been watching him.

"Ahem!" Wild cleared his throat and looked away.

Penny straightened her back. "Finn, you look like you just found out you have a terminal illness. Is Nina about to be widowed?"

Finn’s lips parted slightly, then closed again.

"Young man, if you’re going to say something, don’t just open and don’t close your mouth," Wild urged. "Did Penny do something to you? She did, didn’t she? Tell me the drama."

Penny frowned but ignored Wild’s jab.

"It’s nothing," Finn finally muttered with a deep sigh.

"If it’s nothing, then why are you here?" she asked.

Finn shrugged. "Honestly? I have no idea. Maybe because I had nowhere else to go at the moment? Nina’s working... and so is everyone else I know."

Penny pointed at herself. "And you think I’m not?"

"She’s not!" Wild grinned, clapping Penny’s shoulder. "Just stay here, young man. This one here is in denial. Company wouldn’t hurt—better to keep her occupied before she loses her mind and makes everyone’s life hell."

"What?"

Wild turned to face Penny squarely. "I have tons of work, young lady. Stop bothering me."

"???"

Before Penny could respond, Wild strode out of the room, laughing in his usual mischievous manner.

With an exasperated sigh, Penny planted her hands on her hips. "Gosh." She dragged her feet to the couch and plopped down beside Finn, leaning back with a tired groan.

"Finn, do you want to be my assistant?"

At the same time, Finn spoke, "I found out who the culprit was."