Kiara didn’t even know how she left the ward after Hugo kissed her forehead. Heck, she didn’t even know how she reached the villa where she and Cassandra were currently staying. She only realized when she finally stood in front of the entrance.
Standing in front of the door, Kiara instinctively touched her forehead.
"..." She pressed her lips into a thin line, holding her breath. Her face was still red at the thought of Hugo’s action.
"Why would he even do that?" she murmured, her mind foggy. "God... did he even know what he’s doing?"
Hugo did say something after that, but her mind seemed to block any other information.
A deep breath escaped her as she reached out to the front door, pushing it open. As soon as she walked in, she saw Cassandra and Grace in the receiving area. Both women immediately turned their heads to her, furrowing their brows upon noticing the redness of Kiara’s face.
"Ki." Cassandra rose to her feet, a bit worried about her friend.
Up until now, Kiara and Cassandra hadn’t been talking as much, at least not like they used to. But that didn’t mean Kiara stopped helping with the case. She simply needed some time and space.
"What happened to you?" Grace tilted her head slightly. "You look like you’ve run a marathon."
Kiara pursed her lips and forced a smile, holding her hands behind her. "Nothing! Well, I did run here because my scooter broke down earlier."
"You should replace it," Grace advised, not really dwelling on it. "Come. Cassandra and I were talking about the case, and I’m proposing the dismissal of it."
"Oh." Kiara’s mouth parted, and, pushing her thoughts aside, she walked toward them.
Once Kiara joined them, Grace continued the discussion. According to her, new evidence was going to be presented, and Grace would be pushing for the dismissal of the case. After all, the case was about Cassandra’s involvement with the illegal activities of the orphanage. And since Cassandra had nothing to do with that, Grace would pursue dismissal once the evidence was presented.
---
### Moments Later...
Grace didn’t stay long. She simply came by to inform them of the development in the case and her plans. After that, she bid the ladies farewell. Kiara and Cassandra sent her off.
Standing by the entrance, they watched Grace’s car leave until it was out of sight.
Cassandra turned her head to Kiara, pursing her lips, hesitant to approach her friend. But with her increasing worry, she spoke even before she could think twice about it.
"Ki, is everything okay?" she asked, biting her tongue when Kiara looked back at her. "I know your scooter didn’t break down."
Kiara drew a deep breath before she nodded. "Of course. I just think it’s not that important."
With that, Kiara turned on her heel to walk in and maybe do some paperwork for her company. After all, she had to maintain a close eye on her company even when she couldn’t physically be there. But before she could enter, Cassandra spoke.
"I’m sorry, Ki," Cassandra blurted out, making Kiara stop in her tracks. "I’m really sorry. I know I screwed up, but please... give me a chance."
Kiara’s brows knitted slightly before she faced her friend.
"Cassy, I’m not angry with you," she said quietly. "And there’s no reason for you to apologize. What I found out by working on this case is disappointing, yes. But it hurt me more than it made me angry, because it made me question if I actually know you."
She paused, staring at her friend. "But that doesn’t mean I stopped caring or loving you as a friend. And if you’re really sincere, who am I not to forgive and give chances?"
"Still, if you’re going to apologize, you should apologize to the people you hurt," she added softly. "You hurt people deliberately, Cassy. Whether they forgive you or not is up to them, but apologize anyway. They deserve it."
[Pierson Corporation: CEO’s Office]
"Then, I would like to retire as the captain of the Phantom Circle and work as your bodyguard," Mark answered without a second’s hesitation. "Or Miss Penny’s bodyguard."
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