Chapter 1615: A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

Meanwhile...

Grace stared blankly out of her office window, seated on the long sofa. Her cheeks—untouched by makeup—were growing redder by the second.

This morning, she had doubted the events of the previous night and how things had escalated. But now, there was no doubt. Everything felt vivid; how she became Haines’ breakfast etched into her memory.

How she wished she could just snuggle with him all day. But even if she wanted to, Haines had encouraged her to save a life. Or, more accurately, save an inmate.

"If we were still in our early twenties... I’m sure we’d still be at it," she mumbled to herself, torn between regret and duty.

At this point, she wasn’t sure if she should be angry at Cassandra—or at herself—for taking on this case.

"Oh, well." Grace shrugged just as a knock came at the door.

Turning her head, she saw her secretary standing there, with two figures behind her.

"Come in," Grace sighed, prompting Kiara and Hugo to enter.

As the two stepped in, they instantly noticed Grace’s somber mood. They exchanged puzzled glances, and Hugo gave a small shrug. Without saying a word, they took a seat across from her.

Kiara nervously clasped her hands together.

Is something wrong with the case? Is that why she seems down?

No one could blame her for thinking that. If only Kiara knew that Grace’s dilemma was something else entirely.

But unlike Kiara, Hugo wasn’t one to keep his thoughts to himself.

"Grace, what’s wrong?" he asked. "Is there a problem with the case?"

Grace arched a brow, tugging slightly at her high collar as it suddenly felt too tight. "Huh? No, of course not."

"Then why do you look like it’s the end of the world?"

"It’s none of your business." She waved him off, straightening her back with a sharp shake of her head. This wasn’t the time for distractions—it was time to work.

Clearing her throat, Grace looked at the two. "Anyway, I’m taking Cassandra out of prison today."

"What?!" Kiara gasped, while Hugo’s brows drew together. "Seriously?"

"Yes. That’s actually why I called you here... though I probably should’ve just told you over the phone," she muttered, brushing past it. "But I sort of like seeing you two together."

Kiara froze, while Hugo barely reacted.

"Anyway, wait for me at the prison," Grace said, tossing her keys to Hugo.

He caught them mid-air, his eyes still fixed on her. "Grace, can you really do that? Get her out?"

"Yes, Hugo," she replied as she stood. "I’m taking a cab, so wait for me there."

Kiara leapt to her feet, still reeling. "Miss— I mean, Attorney, are you sure?"

"Yes." Grace nearly rolled her eyes. "Don’t you believe me when I say she’s getting out today?"

The two didn’t respond. They just stood frozen—wide-eyed, speechless.

Grace huffed sharply and shook her head. "I told you, her lawyer is incompetent. And I’m anything but."

With that, she strode to her desk to grab her briefcase. But as she walked away, Hugo spoke up.

"Why don’t I just drive you?" he offered, while Kiara nodded eagerly.

"We can go together!" Kiara added.

Another sigh escaped Grace as she glanced at them with mild annoyance. "I know. But I have a lot on my mind right now, and I don’t want anyone corrupting my thoughts before I set everything ablaze."

With that, Grace picked up her briefcase and walked off, leaving the two behind with a dismissive wave.

Hugo and Kiara remained motionless, staring at the open door she had left behind.

"Cassy’s really getting out today?" Kiara whispered, her gaze lowering. A hopeful smile curled on her lips, her eyes gleaming. When she looked up at Hugo, there was a restrained squeal dancing in her eyes.

Hugo smirked as he studied her. "I told you. Grace is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G."

"Mhm!" Kiara nodded excitedly. "She really is!"

Unbeknownst to them, they weren’t the only ones who thought Grace was amazing. Haines did too—though for very different reasons.

---

A few hours later...

Cassandra sat in the yard, keeping to herself like always. The benches were already occupied by various groups, so she leaned against the wire fences that bordered the yard. During her time here, she had developed a keen sense of the people around her.

And Cassandra knew—keeping her distance was the smarter move.

While she stayed isolated, her thoughts wandered. For one, she’d already fired her previous lawyer, and yet there had been no word from the new one. She had expected to meet Grace this morning—surely a new lawyer would visit her client.

But there was nothing.

"Even from Ki..." she whispered, then shook her head as negative thoughts crept in. "No, Cassandra. Don’t think like that. Kiara’s the last person who’d betray me. She wouldn’t just leave me hanging."

Even if Grace had backed out at the last minute, Kiara would’ve told her. That was just who Kiara was—she always faced everything, even consequences, head-on.

"Hey, sweet cake."

Cassandra’s thoughts stopped cold at the sound of an inmate’s voice approaching. Looking up, she saw three women walking toward her.

She panicked, stepping back until her back pressed against the wire fence, her fingers gripping it tightly.

The group stopped just a step from her, vicious smirks plastered on their faces.

"Alone again?" the inmate in the middle asked, tilting her head.

Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin line and studied the three large women in silence. She wanted to speak, but no words would come. On her first day, these women had made it clear—they weren’t just nobodies. Other inmates feared them.

"Uh..." She cleared her throat, searching for something to say. But before she could speak, the woman in the middle stepped closer.

"I heard you’re a senator’s granddaughter," she said, her smirk twisting. "And the reason you’re in here is for smuggling kids."

Cassandra’s breath caught. Her shoulders trembled.

In a place like this, your crime was another kind of sentence. In here, there were laws far crueler than any court’s.

And right then, Cassandra realized her peaceful time in prison was over.