Chapter 1646: Help not for her, but for her friend

[Present Time]

Zoren let out a deep breath, the memory of what had just happened playing vividly in his mind.

There hadn’t been a bomb in Jonathan’s house. It was a false report—part of the same setup orchestrated by the man who stabbed Jonathan and nearly shot Zoren.

A ploy to draw them out... for that very reason.

"It’s alright," Penny whispered softly. Without needing any explanation, she reached out and gently took his bloodstained hand—his fingers barely cleaned, the stains lingering like a reminder of what couldn’t be washed away.

She offered him a small, reassuring smile and nodded.

"Mint, take care of Cassandra Smith," she ordered, her eyes still on Zoren.

Then she turned to meet Atlas’s gaze. "I’ll call you tomorrow for the details, First Brother."

Atlas glanced at his sister briefly before his eyes shifted back to Zoren. His lips parted as if he had something to say... but then, he thought better of it and simply nodded.

"Keep your phone on," was all he muttered before turning away, resuming his steps as if none of this concerned him.

But it did.

Atlas was deeply concerned. He just chose not to say anything, a silent show of respect to give Penny and Zoren space to process everything.

Tonight, they’d already endured more than enough.

Nina’s mother... the portrait of Haines’s lost lover... the same woman their father had killed... and the face that matched Naylani Pierson.

It was too much for one night.

Before he left, Atlas paused and looked down at Cassandra. "Run your mouth to clear your name," he said coldly, "not for anything else."

Cassandra’s shoulders trembled under the weight of his warning, her eyes locked onto his cold, piercing gaze. She held her breath until Atlas turned and walked away.

Meanwhile, Penny squeezed Zoren’s hand gently.

"We have a lot to talk about," she murmured. "Jonathan... and everything else we’ve uncovered. But for now, let’s get you cleaned up."

Zoren said nothing. His eyes remained on her, hollow and distant.

Without another word, he nodded and let her guide him away.

As the couple left, those who remained behind were Mint, Slater, Hugo, and Cassandra—still trembling on the floor.

"Man..." Hugo sighed, resting his hands on his hips as he looked down at Cassandra. "Why are you still awake?"

"Penny said I should take care of her—" Mint began, but before she could finish, Cassandra suddenly blurted out in panic.

"Please don’t kill me!" she cried, her voice breaking with fear. "Please! I didn’t see anything—I swear!"

Mint blinked, confused. She darted her gaze between Slater and Hugo, then back to Cassandra.

"Uh... do you think I’m a criminal or something?" she asked, pointing at herself.

Cassandra swallowed hard, her fear drowning out all logic.

"That’s your problem, Mint," Slater muttered, rolling his eyes. "I’m done for the night. James keeps nagging me about my eye bags, so I’m going to bed."

With a dismissive wave, Slater left Mint to deal with the situation. He had zero patience for consoling Cassandra—especially when he didn’t even like her.

Once Slater disappeared, Cassandra’s trembling eyes flicked back and forth between Mint and Hugo.

"Heh." Hugo stepped toward her and crouched down beside her, resting his arms casually over his knees. He gave her a warm, almost playful smile. "Relax. Mint might look a little... unhinged—but she’s Homeland Security."

"Huh?" Cassandra blinked, her entire body shivering. "Home... Homeland Security?"

"Doesn’t really look like it, does it?" Hugo chuckled softly, then held out his hand to her. His smile was gentle, more considerate now, understanding what this poor woman had been through over the past week.

"I know you’ve got a lot of questions, and I’m sorry for my First Brother. He’s cold, but he’s not a bad person. It just takes time—and a hard reset in his head—to realize that," Hugo continued. "Tomorrow, you’ll meet with Grace. I can’t tell you everything that’s going on here, but I can tell you this..."

He paused, raising his brows with a knowing look.

"You and your friend have a battle to fight. Focus on that. And if saving yourself isn’t enough motivation... then at least do it for her."

His gaze darkened, his voice low and edged with warning.

"You have no idea what Kiara’s gone through for you. Don’t screw it up... for her—or I’m the one who’s going to screw you over."

Mint puffed her cheeks and zipped her mouth shut, silently wondering, Shouldn’t I be the one handling this? Why’s he pulling out the big guns on her?

Cassandra stared blankly at Hugo, feeling the sharp undercurrent of his words. Though his smile remained, she could feel the danger behind it.

She swallowed hard. She believed him. Every single word of it.

"Now, come on," Hugo stood, his brows raised, his smile stretching again. "I’ll help you back to your room."

Cassandra held her breath so tightly her neck strained, but despite how terrifying his warning had been, it brought a strange clarity to her fogged mind.

Hugo wasn’t helping her because she needed help.

He was helping her because of Kiara, not out of pity or the goodness of his heart toward Cassandra.

And somehow... that logic cut through her panic.

"N-No need," she stammered, forcing herself to her feet. "I-I can do it myself."

Her knees wobbled, but she fought to stay upright, facing Hugo as he stood calmly before her.

"I didn’t... I didn’t see anything tonight," she blurted out, her breathing jagged.

She tried to say more, but no words came. Instead, she turned and hurried away, her original plan to get a glass of water completely forgotten.

As Cassandra disappeared, Mint sauntered over to Hugo and stood beside him, watching her retreating figure.

When Cassandra was finally out of sight, Mint glanced sideways at Hugo.

"Let me guess..." she quipped with a smirk. "You like her friend."

Hugo turned to Mint and smiled, his eyes squinting in that playful, all-too-familiar way.

"Of course."