Chapter 1575: My treat

[Anteca Correctional Facility]

"What?" Cassandra’s pale face lit up with confusion as she stared at the person across the glass window.

Kiara pressed her lips into a thin line, placing a hand on the glass. "Cassy, let’s try her. I heard she’s really good."

Cassandra’s eyes flickered with hesitation, the bags under her eyes evident. Despite it only being days, her haggard look made her appear as if she had aged.

"Ki..." Her voice was weak, a faint sigh slipping past her nose and lips. "My grandfather has already come to discuss our defense strategy. I don’t think it’s okay for me to fire my lawyer when he was this country’s senator’s attorney."

Bitterness shone in Kiara’s eyes. "Do you really think—"

"Ki," Cassandra interjected before Kiara could continue convincing her. "My family might not be perfect, but I want to believe that, regardless of what happened before all this spirals out of control, they wouldn’t just allow me to stay in this place."

She forced out a smile, but it looked bitter. "Even if it’s not for me, they wouldn’t allow their family member to be branded a criminal since it will affect the family."

You have no idea, Kiara wanted to tell her friend.

Had Cassandra known that her grandfather had just stated during his last press conference that if his granddaughter were proven guilty, he himself would ask for a more severe punishment. Cassandra had no idea that, despite everything that had happened, her grandfather’s actions this far were only beneficial to him.

"Besides, I can’t trust that lawyer," Cassandra added. "I know her."

"Cassy—"

"She’s Penny’s lawyer, right?" Cassandra raised her brows. "I’m not saying Penny would try to sabotage me, but... I can’t trust her, either. In fact, I can’t trust anyone. I just don’t want to be here, Ki."

Before Cassandra could start to drone on, she bit her tongue. Her situation inside wasn’t easy. Cassandra was surrounded by really violent criminals, and it scared her to death. She couldn’t even sleep at night, scared that they’d do something to her.

But Cassandra didn’t want to detail everything to Kiara; it was the least she could do to not worry Kiara that much.

Cassandra huffed faintly, placing a hand on the glass window. She tried to force another smile again, nodding reassuringly at Kiara.

"I’ll be fine," she said. "Ki, thank you, really. I know you’re doing your best, but... I realized, since I was locked in here, that it’s not proper to drag you into this as well. Thank you, but please, let’s stop now."

Bitterness swelled in Kiara’s heart, making her stomach twist. It hadn’t been that long since Cassandra was rejected in her request for bail, but Kiara could tell that her friend was slowly losing hope in this seemingly helpless situation.

Not surprising, considering Cassandra had been living in one of the most dangerous prisons in Anteca.

Just then, they heard a buzz from Cassandra’s side.

"Visitation time is over," said the officer standing in the corner of the small booth where Cassandra was. The officer then approached Cassandra.

Cassandra kept her eyes on Kiara, offering her the little smile she could muster. Kiara hurriedly stood as the officer cuffed her friend again.

"Cassy!" Kiara raised her voice, her eyes blazing with determination. "Please think about it — for me."

I will never suggest anything to purposely hurt you. Please. Just think about it.

Kiara stared at Cassandra as the latter was being dragged away. Cassandra kept her eyes on her, nodding at her friend before the door shut.

"..." Kiara sighed heavily, her eyes still fixed on the door.

A part of her had seen this coming, knowing what Cassandra was like. However, Kiara was not one to give up easily. She promised Grace that she would convince Cassandra, and she would. After all, even if Kiara’s confidence in Grace wasn’t rock-solid, she didn’t trust the Smith Family at all.

*****

Kiara idled for a moment in the visitation booth before she dragged her feet out of the establishment. As soon as she stepped out, she spotted Hugo eating a popsicle while idly sitting on his motorbike under a shade.

Her steps slowed as she looked at the man, who didn’t seem burdened by any problems. A bubble of envy peeked into her heart, wishing she could be as carefree as him.

Kiara walked over to where Hugo was idling, leaning on the side of his motorbike.

His brows rose as he turned his gaze towards her. Hugo studied Kiara’s expression for a moment, sensing her subdued mood.

"She didn’t agree?" he asked, taking another bite of the popsicle.

Just watching him take a bite of that popsicle made her mentally cringe. She almost felt her teeth wobble. However, she didn’t dwell on it as she shrugged.

"Apparently, she thinks her family will get her out of this place with everything they’ve got," she said sharply, biting her lip as she thought about it. "And I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about her grandfather’s recent speech."

Perhaps if Kiara told Cassandra, it would change everything. But another part of her knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Cassandra was barely holding on to anything, and telling her that might just break her completely.

How complicated.

"That’s sad," Hugo commented casually, finishing his popsicle. "So, does that mean Grace isn’t working for free?"

Kiara clicked her tongue, snapping her eyes towards him with determination. "Cassandra didn’t agree, but I won’t give up on her."

"Oh?"

"I know her, and I want to believe that my words carry some weight for her," she added, pushing aside any negative thoughts that were trying to fill her head. "Besides, she may not be perfect, but she’s not stupid. I’ll keep pushing and hope that she sees her family’s intentions in not getting implicated in all of this."

Hugo nodded, giving her a thumbs-up. "Good for you."

"Anyway, thank you for everything. I know you didn’t need to drive me..." She paused, studying his face before she smiled. "Do you want to grab lunch? My treat."

He blinked but didn’t answer, the twinkle in his eyes enough for Kiara to know he liked the idea.

Kiara smiled wearily, happy to treat him for his help. She was genuinely grateful.