Chapter 1535: Good luck with looking for help, Kiara.

Cassandra’s family — the Smiths — were already doing what they could to help her. However, with the situation unfolding as it was, the senator seemed more preoccupied with preserving the reputation he had built over decades as a public servant and not getting implicated by it than with his granddaughter’s plight.

Kiara felt compelled to seek as much help as possible.

Given the complexity of the case, she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Without bothering to go home to rest or even take a shower, her next destination was... the Pierson Corporation.

Kiara idled around the area, uncertain when or where the person she was waiting for would appear.

"This is stupid," she whispered to herself. But considering the circumstances, she shook her head. "Just maybe... it’ll work."

As Kiara finished the last of her cold coffee outside the cafe, she glanced toward the entrance of the company. After what felt like an eternity, she finally saw Jonathan walking out of the building.

Kiara jumped from her seat, holding the empty cup in her hand. She tried to toss it into a nearby bin, only for it to tumble off and fall.

"Ugh, for God’s sake!" she hissed, rushing to pick it up and placing it in the proper bin before jogging across the street. "Hey! Wait! Jonathan!"

Kiara quickened her pace, shouting to get Jonathan’s attention. After her final yell, Jonathan finally turned his head toward her.

Deep lines appeared between his brows as he slowed down, turning until Kiara stood in front of him. She panted, hands on her knees. After another deep breath, she looked up at him and straightened her back.

"Jonathan," she called, tapping her chest lightly. "It’s me, Kiara. Do you remember me?"

Jonathan frowned slightly but didn’t answer.

Kiara huffed sharply, meeting his gaze. "Can I have a minute of your time?"

"Miss Kiara —"

"I promise it will be quick!" Desperation filled her eyes; he was her last hope. "Please."

Jonathan took a deep breath before nodding reluctantly. "Fine, but I’m short on time. Get to the point."

Kiara sighed in relief and smiled, motioning for him to join her at the cafe she had just left. With the little cash she had, she bought him lunch as a gesture of courtesy.

She was aware of Cassandra and Jonathan’s split, but she still hoped he might offer some assistance. After all, he was a Pierson.

"Just say it," Jonathan muttered lazily. "What do you want?"

Kiara cleared her throat. "Uh, Jonathan, I know you’ve heard the news..." She paused, studying his expression.

Jonathan’s face remained impassive.

"I believe Cassandra is innocent and being framed," Kiara said quietly. "She was denied bail yesterday and will remain in prison until the trial concludes. If she’s proven innocent, she’ll be released then. If guilty, she stays."

She paused, leaning closer. "You and I both know Cassandra would never do this."

"And?" Jonathan’s indifferent tone caught her off guard. Kiara hesitated, unsure if she was misreading him or if she needed to be more direct.

"Can you help her? Any help will do."

"Kiara, did Cassandra tell you we broke up?" His voice turned colder, even harsher. "She ended it and asked me to call off the engagement. I begged her to work things out, to fix whatever I’d done wrong."

He shook his head. "She didn’t give me a chance. She left that night without a second thought for my feelings."

"I know, but —"

"Then you are aware she broke

Kiara’s heart sank as Jonathan’s words sank in. She stared at him, lips parted in disbelief.

"Jonathan —"

"I’m sorry, Kiara." Jonathan sighed, standing up. "Even if I wanted to help, the Piersons forbid me from getting involved. And I’m still healing. It’s not even been a week since she left me, and despite everything, I loved her. I still do, however, I just don’t know if she ever did."

"If she’s innocent, I hope she’s proven innocent," he added, his eyes locked with hers, "But if she’s guilty... I don’t know. It makes me question the person I thought she was."

With that, Jonathan pushed his plate toward her, his expression sincere yet final. "You should eat this instead," he said softly. "And please, don’t bring this matter to me again. It’s a complex case, affecting many innocent lives. I’ve been foolish enough to believe she wanted to marry me out of love, not pity. So, it’s not for me to judge whether she’s innocent or not."

Without another word, Jonathan walked away.

Kiara sat motionless, watching him leave, hoping he might change his mind. But he didn’t. He didn’t look back or show any sign of sympathy. If anything, he made it clear to her that there was no way he would help and that he would not have a change of heart.

"..." She pressed her lips into a thin line, staring at the untouched food on the table.

A bitter scoff escaped her. She had hoped Jonathan would be willing, despite their breakup. But it seemed the pain was still too raw for him.

She couldn’t blame him.

The breakup was just very recent — just a day before Cassandra was arrested. Therefore, she didn’t think much about the harshness of his tone, blaming the pain he was still bearing in his heart.

"Perhaps, I am... indeed, the foolish one," she whispered. "Why did I even try begging these people?"

Deep in her heart, she knew they wouldn’t help. However, she was hopeful. Today, it showed only one thing: No, it didn’t show how much unforgiving people were, but rather, it showed just how foolish— perhaps even shameless — Kiara was.

Little did Kiara know, it wasn’t just the heartache keeping Jonathan from helping. He was the one who had put Cassandra in this situation.

—-

As Jonathan walked out of the cafe, he glanced at the transparent glass walls. His eyes quickly caught Kiara hanging her head low.

The corner of his mouth hooked up into a smirk before he resumed his steps. "Your friend wanted me to let her go," he whispered, chuckling faintly in between. "And I gave it to her."

Good luck with looking for help, Kiara. But Cassandra is not going to get out of that place.