Chapter 1533: How far will you go for a friend?

Cassandra sat in a room, her eyes growing dimmer the longer she stayed in this place.

And to think it had only been just over two days since she was arrested. What more could she endure for the rest of the trial? She couldn’t even bear to think about it.

Just then, the door flew open from the other side.

Looking up, tears quickly welled in her eyes.

"Cassy!" Kiara rushed in as Cassandra rose from her seat.

The two girls immediately embraced, crying softly as they held each other tight.

"I didn’t do it," Cassandra whispered into Kiara’s shoulder, her voice muffled and trembling. "I didn’t—I swear, Ki. It’s not me."

"I know, I know," Kiara sniffled, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. "I know."

She forced a small smile and cupped Cassandra’s cheeks. "I believe you."

For some reason, hearing those words from her friend brought more tears to Cassandra’s eyes. She melted into Kiara’s embrace once more, gripping the back of her shirt so tightly her hand began to tremble. Kiara rubbed her back, trying her best to console her in an otherwise inconsolable moment.

If none of this had happened, they would probably be on the phone right now, chatting about Cassandra’s new accommodation—or anything, really. Just two days ago, neither of them could have imagined such a sudden, tragic turn of events.

Eventually, after crying their hearts out, they sat down. Kiara dragged a chair next to Cassandra’s and the two of them held hands across the table, eyes locked.

"I don’t know, Ki," Cassandra whispered helplessly, shaking her head. "Everything’s just—just a blur. It’s like I’m being swept away in a current, clinging to a broken piece of driftwood."

Before Kiara arrived, Cassandra had just finished speaking with her lawyer and family.

"All they can do is appeal the decision," she continued in the same breathless voice. "But I’m losing hope, Ki. I don’t even know why this is happening to me."

Was this karma?

Karma for everything she had done until the moment she was arrested? For hurting others just because she could—just because she was unhappy? Was life now throwing a boulder at her to force some reflection?

Kiara let out a heavy sigh.

"I don’t want to stay here another day," Cassandra added, fear creeping into her eyes. "I’m scared."

"I know." Kiara’s heart ached, but there were no words that could truly ease her friend’s pain.

Nothing she could say would change the reality of where they were. It wasn’t as if either of them had ever imagined Cassandra would be the one sitting in a prison cell. Jail had never been part of the picture.

"It’s going to be okay," Kiara said gently, trying to comfort her. "Please... hang on, Cassy. I believe you’re innocent, and... the truth will come out."

Cassandra pressed her lips together, the words of thanks lingering at the edge of her tongue. But she couldn’t bring herself to say them. Not now. Still, her heart ached with gratitude.

A friend who believed in her.

Perhaps that alone was enough.

Even her own family and lawyer hadn’t told her they believed in her. They only talked about how to get her out because it was tarnishing her grandfather’s reputation.

That alone made her stomach turn. But Kiara’s words gave her something to hold on to.

"I’ll try to ask for help, too," Kiara said, offering a tentative smile.

"Huh?" Cassandra furrowed her brows. "Who are you going to ask for help from?"

Kiara’s only response was a subtle, knowing smile.

"Kiara, no." Cassandra shook her head. "You don’t have to ask your family—"

"People say they’re the best of the best," Kiara interjected, squeezing Cassandra’s hands. "Maybe they’ll help, maybe not—but there’s no harm in trying."

Cassandra’s vision blurred again as another lump formed in her throat. Her lips quivered, pressing into a thin line.

"It’s okay," Kiara whispered gently. "It’s going to be okay, Cassy."

She wiped Cassandra’s tears away, still holding her close. No matter how much Kiara hated her family—or how traumatizing it was just to think about returning to that place—if it could give Cassandra even the smallest glimmer of hope, then it was worth it.

---

Later...

Kiara stopped in front of the large gates of the mansion, her shoulders tensing as she held her breath. The gate felt both familiar and distant.

Thunder clapped in the distance. The night felt darker than usual, but she didn’t flinch. She kicked down her scooter’s stand and stepped off, securing her helmet. A sudden light flashed across her face.

She squinted against the beam.

"Miss, you can’t park here. This is private—" The security guard paused as he lowered his flashlight. "Miss Kiara?!"

Kiara slowly opened her eyes, offering a subtle smile.

"Miss Kiara! Oh, goodness!" The security guard, a man likely in his fifties, rushed toward her. His face lit up with both surprise and joy as he looked her over. "Miss Kiara, how—what—you’re back!"

"Well..." Kiara scratched the back of her neck, her smile awkward. "It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

"It has! Are you coming back home? The place has felt so empty since you left!"

She doubted that.

Maybe a few of the staff missed her, but certainly not her family.

"Uhm, Uncle..." Kiara cleared her throat. "Are they home?"

"You mean the Madam and the Master?"

"Mhm. Are they?"

"Oh yes, they are," the guard nodded, gesturing for her to follow him. "Come in. I’ll inform the head maid that you’re here."

Kiara pursed her lips and followed him to the guardhouse, leaving her scooter outside the gate—it was safer that way.

As she waited, she watched the security guard speak on the phone. The way his face shifted from hopeful to regretful already told her everything.

"Understood," he said before gently setting the phone down. He stepped out, his expression conflicted. "Miss Kiara... I called the residence and—"

"They told you to tell me not to come in?" she finished for him.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. "I’m sorry."

Kiara offered him a soft smile. "It’s alright, Uncle. Thank you for trying."

"Are you... going to leave again, Miss Kiara?"

"Not yet."

With that, she turned and began walking toward the mansion, even though she knew she wasn’t welcome.

The old security guard rushed after her. "Miss Kiara, they won’t let you in, even if you try! Your mother and father will just—"

"I’m not going in," Kiara interrupted, turning to him with a calm nod. Her eyes burned with quiet resolve. "Don’t worry, Uncle. I won’t. Because I know if I do, you will be the one in trouble."

And with that, she continued toward the house, stopping only when she reached the bottom step leading to the mansion’s porch.