Chapter 3 Storm after Storm

Chapter 3

Storm After storm

Thanks to Tony, she was once again thrust into the eye of the storm.

She was Cassandra, the woman who had served as the personal secretary to the CEO of Tomzy Corporation for five years-breaking the record of the boss cycling through secretaries every three months.

She would never allow herself to be exploited by that scumbag Seth, nor would she let them take her property. Smoothing out her disheveled clothes, she lifted her chin and fixed Lydia with a piercing glare. "I've met shameless people before, but never anyone as despicable as the two of you. Your ability to twist the truth is truly impressive."

"Seth cheated on me with you while we were dating, then secretly married you behind my back. He tricked me into buying a house and a car, and now you two want to take them for yourselves? You think storming into my workplace and causing a scene will make me back down just because I might lose my job? Well, let me tell you-dream on!"

"I'd rather donate that house and car to charity than let you have them. And if you don't back off now, I won't hesitate to call the police."

Lydia stiffened, rooted to the spot, unsure how to respond. But when she saw Cassandra actually reaching for her phone, panic set in. She lunged forward, smacking the phone out of her hand, and spat, "Listen here-this isn't over! If your company doesn't fire you, I'll be back every single day to make a scene!"

She knew the property was still under Cassandra's name. If the police got involved, they'd be the ones in trouble. With no other choice, she stormed off.

Once she was gone, Cassandra turned and bowed deeply to Tony. "My apologies, sir, for the disturbance. I'll handle this matter myself." Without another word to anyone, she strode upstairs, head held high. She had nothing to hide-let them talk.

Tony watched her retreating figure, an odd flicker of emotion passing through him. Then his gaze swept over the lingering onlookers, his voice icy. "Don't you all have work to do?"

The moment the CEO spoke, the crowd scattered faster than startled rabbits.

Upstairs, Cassandra returned to her office and collapsed to the floor, drained.

In just one night, she had been betrayed, robbed of her property, slept with by her boss-only to be accused of seducing him. The sheer devastation of it all was something she never wanted to relive.

When Tony arrived at her office door later, he found her still crouched on the ground. A mocking smirk curled his lips. Pathetic. She deserves it.

As night fell, layers of darkness draped the sky. Cassandra stood by the window, staring at the stars, her heart heavy with sorrow.

She had no idea how she managed to get through the entire day. The office had long since emptied out, leaving her utterly lost about where to go next.

At this point, she had no choice but to return to her parents' home.

After packing her belongings, she drafted a resignation letter and left it on Tony's desk.

Better to leave on her own terms than to be forced out-clean and simple.

Short on cash, she had no option but to call her best friend, to borrow some money before finally hailing a cab back to her parents' house.

That night, Cassandra slept more soundly than she had in ages. Just being near her parents seemed to dissolve all her sorrows, lifting the dark clouds from her heart.

At dawn, the dazzling sun slowly rose in the east.

Standing in the yard, Cassandra stretched lazily, breathing in the crisp morning air, her spirits lifted. But that fleeting peace was soon shattered.

After breakfast, just as the family was about to head out for a stroll, an unwelcome visitor arrived.

Lydia stormed in, brandishing scandalous photos. Right in front of Cassandra, she flung the pictures-along with a marriage certificate-straight into her father's face, sneering, "Let's see what kind of father raises a homewrecker for a daughter!"

Cassandra stared at the photos now in her hands, her entire body turning ice-cold. In the five years she had been with Seth, they had never been intimate. Where on earth had these photos come from?

The Price of His Name

In less than ten minutes, the Phoebe family's courtyard was swarmed with onlookers from all sides. In this close-knit rural community, relatives and neighbors all lived within shouting distance, and Lydia's outcry had drawn them like moths to a flame.

Cassandra's face flushed with panic and anger. "Shut your mouth!" she snapped, her voice trembling. The crowd was growing by the second, and if she didn't act fast, the situation would spiral out of control.

Lydia smirked, her eyes dripping with disdain. "Oh, so you dare do it but can't own up to it? Let's see how your scumbag father handles this mess today!"

Phoebe Cassy's hands shook violently as he picked up the object she had thrown at him. His weathered face turned a mottled shade of red and gray, veins bulging at his temples. He glared at his daughter, his voice hoarse with fury. "Is this true? Did Seth really get married? Have you been his mistress?"

Cassandra hung her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes."

No explanation could undo the damning evidence-the marriage certificate was as solid as steel. "Shut up!" she wanted to scream. She had unwittingly become the other woman, only to be betrayed and slandered by that despicable pair.

Crack!

A sharp slap echoed through the air, leaving Cassandra's cheek swollen and throbbing. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Dad, please listen-it's not what you think!"

"You-you-" Phoebe Andy clutched his chest, his breath hitching. Before he could finish, his legs gave way, and he collapsed.

"Dad!"

Lydia's venomous taunts faded into the background. Cassandra's mind was a blur-only one thought mattered now: He can't die. Not like this.

"The patient is having a heart attack. Emergency surgery-now!" The doctor's urgent words sent a violent shudder through her body.

Desperate, she grabbed the doctor's arm, her voice breaking. "Please... save him. I'm begging you!"

"This is my duty. The surgery will cost around fifty thousand. You need to pay the fee immediately."

Fifty thousand?

The entire Phoebe family froze. A few years ago, they had spent a hefty sum on her brother Phoebe Wendy's wedding, and in recent years, Cassandra's earnings had all gone to supporting Seth. At most, the family could only scrape together twenty thousand now!

Tears welled up in Mrs. Phoebe's eyes. "What are we going to do? Where can we possibly find fifty thousand?"

"This is all your fault!" Phoebe Wendy jabbed a finger at her face, his voice dripping with venom. "If it weren't for your shameless, filthy actions, Dad wouldn't have had a heart attack!"

"Brother, I-" She bit her lip so hard it nearly bled, struggling to speak. "I won't let anything happen to Dad. I'll figure something out. I'll borrow the money."

With that, she turned and bolted.

In her haste, she collided with a solid figure. Muttering a quick apology, she tried to dart past, but a firm grip yanked her back.

"Think you can just run off after bumping into me?" a familiar voice rumbled above her.

Cassandra looked up in confusion, meeting the cold, chiseled face of the man before her. "P-President?"

What was he doing at the hospital? There was no time to dwell on it-she needed to find the money, fast. To save her father, she was even prepared to seek out loan sharks. No matter what, she couldn't let anything happen to Dad.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to."

Tony's deep, misty eyes bore into her before flickering downward. Her white blouse had shifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of red lace beneath. The rapid rise and fall of her chest from her frantic breaths sent a dry heat clawing up his throat.

In one swift motion, he dragged her against him, pinning her to the wall. His voice was rough, laced with something dark and intoxicating. "Trying to seduce me again, are you? Hmm?"

"I didn't!" Cassandra tried to push him away, but his grip was unbreakable.

"Didn't?" Tony's gaze lingered on her tear-filled eyes and soft pink lips, stirring a restless heat within him. His eyes flicked to a nearby storage room, and with one forceful tug, he dragged her inside.

Caught off guard, Cassandra stumbled forward, crashing into him. Before she could steady herself, their lips accidentally met.

The moment their mouths touched, she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Tony had barely shut the door when she collided into him, her sweet lips pressing against his. The fire in his body roared to life-untamed and urgent. Unable to resist, he flipped her beneath him, tearing at her clothes with rough urgency while stripping off his own pants in haste. Then, without hesitation, he took her.

A searing pain ripped through Cassandra's body. She writhed beneath him, pleading through choked sobs, "Stop... please, don't do this."

"Don't?" Tony growled, his voice rough with desire as he moved relentlessly. "You're the one who kissed me first. Now you're saying no?"

"Please... my father-he needs surgery. I have to get money for him..." Her tears fell freely, her breath hitching between sobs as she lay trapped beneath him.

Abruptly, Tony stilled. Something about her tears struck him, an unfamiliar pang of sympathy tightening in his chest. He pulled away, yanking his pants back on before looking down at her with an unreadable expression. "What happened to your father?"

"H-he had a heart attack... I-"

"How much do you need?" His voice was low, edged with something she couldn't place.

He didn't know why he suddenly wanted to help her, but seeing her so broken made him want to pull her into his arms.

"F-five thousand..." she stammered between shaky breaths.

"Get up." His tone remained icy.

Cassandra scrambled to her feet, hastily adjusting her clothes. Her blouse was missing buttons, leaving her chest exposed no matter how she tried to cover herself.

Without a word, Tony shrugged off his jacket and tossed it at her. "Let's go."

"Where?" She stared at him, bewildered.

"To get your father that surgery," he said flatly, already striding out the door.