Chapter 130
The study was dimly lit. Heston sat on the sofa, his anger had subsided, but his expression was still far from cheerful. He remained silent for a long time before standing up and walking over to a locked drawer, his aged hands brushing against the lock before dropping down. In the end, he didn’t open the drawer; instead, he turned off the study light and headed back to
his room.
Cassie had arranged to meet Eric and Sam to drink coffee. After spending a little time with her grandfather, she made up an excuse to leave.
Standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, Lucas watched Cassic drive away. “Anne, you and Cassie have been getting along quite well lately. Has Cassic mentioned anything to you?”
Anne looked up from her magazine and replied, “Nothing in particular. Why do you ask?”
Lucas’s face turned serious as he turned back to her. “Don’t you think she’s been acting a bit sneaky lately? Is she hiding a relationship from us?”
“Dad, you’re overthinking this,” Anne said, rolling her eyes. “When we were on set, Cassie was glued to my side. All she did every day was study, and I sure didn’t see her dating anyone.”
“Really?” Heston said, pursing his lips. “We still need to be cautious; there are too many bad guys out there. My granddaughter is amazing and looks like a princess; I don’t want her getting tricked by any of them.”
“Are you calling Marcus a bad guy?” Lucas asked with a laugh.
“Don’t mention that guy to me!” Heston shot Lucas a glare, causing him to immediately shut up.
Anne flipped through her magazine, thinking about Heston’s comment about Cassie possibly being in a relationship. She recalled the incident with Marcus and a conversation they had, along with some rumors floating around. A nagging feeling tugged at her chest.
“Dad, weren’t you happy that Marcus didn’t die before?” Anne asked casually, “Why have you suddenly started disliking him now?”
“Not wanting him dead and liking him are two different things,” Heston replied with disdain.
“He saved both me and Cassie previously. We talked about thanking him, but that was ages ago…” Anne gently hinted. “We should repay that kindness sooner rather than later.”
She thought, ‘If I want to figure out if there’s something between Cassie and Marcus, all I need is to see them together once, right in front of me. That should give me a pretty clear idea of what’s really going on.
“That’s a fair point,” Heston pondered for a moment. “You and Lucas take care of this. Do it quietly, though. I don’t want to hear any more rumors that will upset me.”
Anne replied, “Got it.”
As Cassie left, Heston grabbed his pruning shears, humming a little tune as he headed outside to trim the bushes.
“Why bring this up all of a sudden? I could have just invited him to dinner myself. Why drag Dad into it?” Lucas asked, puzzled.
“Mind your own business,” Anne replied, refusing to explain.
“Oh…” Lucas took a bite of his food, then suddenly sighed. “You’re getting busier by the day, with interviews and ads piling up. We barely have time for each other anymore, and now…”
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“You’re the one pushing me to work like crazy,” Anne shot back.
“I know,” Lucas sighed again. “Right now, I just hope Cassic can take over the company quickly. Then I can be your assistant.”
Anne looked at him, shaking her head in disbelief. “What kind of dad are you?”
Lucas was taken aback, while Anne’s expression froze for a moment. “Well, our daughter is just that amazing. If I can pass the baton, I should! She also thinks it’s more important for me to spend time with you.” It was like he snapped back to reality, smiling afterward.
Anne pressed her lips. “I used to worry that Cassic wouldn’t want to be in the family business, but after yesterday’s incident, I’m at ease. She really was born to be part of it.”
Lucas chuckled, “As long as she’s happy.”
“Yep, as long as she’s happy.”
Cassie drove out, but luck wasn’t on her side as she hit rush hour By the time she reached the coffee shop, it was nearly ten. “I’m so sorry I really am!” Cassie immediately apologized upon seeing Sam and Eric.
if he’d never seen her before,
Eric looked at her with a mix of shock and disbelief. Sam looked completely lost as “What’s wrong with you guys?” Cassie touched her face and glanced at her reflection in the glass nearby. “Is there something on my face?”
“Um… no… I mean, I’m not worthy of calling you sister!” Sam started, his words tumbling out. It was the first time Cassie had seen him like this.
“What’s going on?” Cassie asked.
“We saw the news,” Eric pointed at the news behind her. “Top scorer, Cassie Murphy.”
Cassie froze, turning to look at the news. It was paused, displaying a shot from the local news featuring her as the top student, clear as day.
Cassie lost words. She knew this identity wouldn’t hold up long with Eric and Sam, but she never expected it to unravel so quickly in such a bizarre way.
Cassie felt a bit embarrassed. “I was planning to tell you guys in person!”
“Wait… you’re…” Sam lost his ability to form words for a moment, stuttering as he tried to comprehend. “You’re the daughter of the Murphy Group?”
“Yup.” Cassie nodded.
Sam ran his fingers through his hair. “A financial tycoon?! Eric, this is the first time in my life I’m coming face to face with a tycoon!”
“Calm down, Sam,” Cassie said, feeling a bit lost. “I’m just an ordinary high school girl. There’s nothing special about me.” “Ordinary?” Sam nearly shouted. “You call a top–scoring student ordinary? The Murphy Group is ordinary? You’re gonna make me feel worthless!”
Cassie felt a bit helpless and instinctively looked over at Eric. His expression was even more complex.
Cassie clasped her hands together, looking apologetic. “Mr. Anderson, I didn’t mean to give you a fake name. It’s just… I
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didn’t want to use the Murphy Group’s name for these things.”
07%
“I was wondering why you didn’t choose a perfectly good platform and insisted on going with the Murphy Group,” Eric said, sounding resigned. He had suspected that Cassie’s background was exceptional, but he never imagined she’d be the daughter of the Murphy Group and its only heir.
“Sorry, sorry,” Cassie repeated apologetically.
“No more apologies! Sit down, please!” Sam stood up. “If you keep bowing and apologizing like this, I’ll age ten years in one day!”
Cassie laughed helplessly but sat down anyway.
Sam said, “Come on, tell me. What were you thinking? You’re so talented! If you’re going to start a business, you could launch it right from inside the Murphy Group. It’d be way easier than what we’re doing here!”
In Sam’s eyes, Cassie was practically a goddess. The heir of a financial empire, a top–scoring student, a hacking genius–who would believe such an incredible person actually exists in real life! And he knew her!
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“Well, it’s a long story. I’ll explain it all later, but…” Cassie looked earnestly at Eric and Sam, “The inside of the Murphy Group isn’t exactly peaceful either. I want to be a support for my grandpa and dad, not a burden they have to deal with.”
“Got it!” Sam slapped the table excitedly.
“I’ve seen enough dramas about rich families. There are always some people in those corporate empires who look down on the designated heirs, thinking they’re just lucky to be born into it and have no real skills!” Sam made an astute observation. “That sounds about right,” Cassie replied with a smile. “That’s why I decided to start my own company and gradually merge it into the Murphy Group. Once my business is established and has enough clout, maybe one day I can really help out my dad and grandpa.”
“Eric, take a look at this!” He was practically slapping the table. “My sister just graduated high school and turned eighteen! Look at her vision! Her ambition! Her poise!”
Eric glanced at Cassie, smiling. “Don’t worry, I’ll always have your back.”
“If I can, I’ll make sure not to let your support go to waste,” Cassie said earnestly.
Cassie already knew about Eric’s talents. He was not only a marketing genius but also understood software very well. Every time she ran into trouble with her scripts, once she mentioned it in the group chat, Marcus would be the first to find the problem and suggest at least three solutions for her to try. A partner like him was truly one in a million.
Hearing Cassie’s promise not to waste his help made Eric’s heart skip a beat. “Yeah,” he nodded.
“Whatever you want to do next, just say the word. I am ready to put it all on the line for you!” Sam assured her, thumping his chest dramatically.
Cassie felt a bit overwhelmed. She hadn’t expected Sam to get this excited about her status. “Actually, there’s one thing I need your help with.”
“Say it, both Eric and Sam replied in unison.
As I mentioned earlier, there’s a reason I kept my identity under wraps, so I’ll need both of you to help me keep this a secret.” Cassie said seriously, “I’ll need your support when it’s time for the company to reveal its leaders.”
“Don’t worry,” Eric said gently. “Until you’re ready to step forward, I promise no one will find out who the real decision- maker is
“I promise too! Sam added, becoming a bit more serious. “I might talk too much sometimes, but I know how to keep things
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in check.”
“Thank you so much,” Cassie beamed at them.
Eric’s gaze lingered on her, a mix of concern and joy in his eyes You must be hungry. I ordered Brownies for you give it a try and let me know if it’s to your taste.”
୦
