n

n

nCassidy doesn't really want to give a damn at this point.

nAfter seeing Adrian kissing Sophie or probably vice versa - she doesn't care anymore, she feels like bursting out in exasperation. She admits that she is enraged despite the reaction she decided to show earlier.

nHowever, that is not really because she feels jealous or anything. Again, she reminds herself that she doesn't have that kind of relationship with her husband.

nWhat gets her exasperated is the fact that Adrian has been doing all those romantic gestures and possessive advances towards her while in reality, he actually has this Sophie to play secret lovers with him all along.

n'How infuriating... Despite what I said to blondie, I really do feel dumb,' Cassidy grimaced in aggravation.

nThe reason why she chose to be apathetic about it was because she honestly could not take any more of their bull**s.

nShe did not want to stir any uproar that would make them think that she was upset - that she cared enough to be upset. Heck, she did not even want to waste any of her time and energy on it.

nThat's not only because she just couldn't charge right in, pull Adrian away and start some kind of tug of war with Sophie. She's not jealous for crying out loud. But it's also for the reason that she really couldn't find a cause to make a big deal about it in the first place.

n'Sure, he is my husband and all, but so what? He didn't act like that when I did my job as his wife. I've had enough of this. Besides, I'm only staying since it's still not safe to leave at this point, considering the assassination attempt and everything.'

nPerhaps, she is making a bigger fuss than what she intends.

nWith her train of thoughts moving on and on like this, she can't take a break. Now, it's making her feel like going back there and kicking both of them in the face - throwing some punches might be satisfying too.

n

"You look a little too sullen for someone who just won a bet against me. What happened, dear Cassidy?

"

nRight then, Irish showed up before Cassidy out of nowhere.

nReally, she can't take a break at all.

nThe brunette is smirking at her mockingly, giving her the impression that she knows a thing or two about what just went down. It does nothing but riles her up even more. Her intention to rub her off is just so clear in her conceited expression.

nShe did try to ignore her question and leave already, but she kept blocking her way to the exit of the bar. At that, she rolls her eyes and scowls in vex. With her current mood, she might end up taking out her aggravation at her, which will definitely not be good on her part.

n

"None of your business,

" Cassidy spat out, making her snigger in amusement.

n

"What's with the cold shoulders~? I thought you wanted some 'ladies' time earlier. Isn't this a good time for that, hmmm...?

" Irish sneered and crossed her arms.

n

"Don't they make a perfect couple, though? In case you also forgot, Sophie was supposed to be Adrian's fiancee before you showed up. Everyone supported the arrangement, you know. If it only wasn't for my brother's attachment to our grandmother, he would have married her instead-

"

n

"Wait, what...?

" the redhead cut her off, taken aback by the mention of their family member.

n

"Why did he choose me, you say?

"

n

"Oh, right, right... You really did forget after all. How pitiful indeed... You're missing out on a lot of things~

"

n

"Can you just answer my question?

"

n

"Fine. He chose your pathetic ass only because of our grandmother. You do know that he's always been the obedient one, right? In reality, he already agreed to have Sophie as his spouse before. He looked more into a woman's competence and skills, after all. He wanted someone who could run the business alongside him... But then you came along and messed things up. Do you even know what you'd been doing to help this family all these years...?

"

nThat's when Irish starts taking steps closer before leaning towards Cassidy, mustering a contemptuous expression all the while.

nWithout both of them noticing, Olivia has approached the scene and stood behind her sister the moment she brought that topic up. She tenses up as soon as she senses the thick and heavy atmosphere that is layering over the two. Anyone who sees them now can tell that they are having a heated confrontation.

n

"Naive little Cassidy doesn't know a single thing~ You don't know how to deal with any domestic affairs, manage the household or even act like a proper housewife. To tell you the truth, your use is lower than a house pet. You were so slow to catch up with etiquette lessons, and you kept making a lot of mistakes. It just shows that you've really come from the slums. Oh, and don't get me started with your poor performance at work...

" Irish trailed off before snorting disdainfully.

n

"You're so stupid that you kept having troubles with simple mathematical problems. Did you know that your department almost got a huge debt after you messed up the financial accounts? Adrian tried putting you in other departments, but you were still a lost cause. You're just so dumb! Our family never had someone as incompetent and worthless as you before. You kept bring us shame. You shouldn't have appeared. Better yet, you shouldn't have been born in the first place-

"

n

"Shut your damn mouth already, you bitch...

" Cassidy then finally snapped, already losing her temper.

n

"I only asked you one **ing question, but you already made a **ing essay. Who the hell gives a ** about what you think?

"

nIrish reacts appalled when Cassidy starts swearing out loud.

nShe never heard her curse before. Apart from that, she can't help but be thrown off guard by how her expression contorts into an incandescent and forbidding one. Her brows are scrunched so tightly together while her scowl has gotten deeper. If only looks can kill, her deadly glare will probably get her standing at death's door right now.

nThe fiery look in her razor-edged gaze unnerves her to a certain degree - perhaps, to the point that all she can do is stay stiff on her spot.

n

"Say, I still have that dare, right...?

" Cassidy started again when she only remained silent still.

n

"Then, I order you to get your annoying ass out of my way and scram along.

"

n

"H-H-Huh?

" Irish blurted out in nonplus, unsure of why she decided to use such a perfect opportunity to carry out her revenge and oppress her on something that small and trivial.

n

"Oh, didn't see that coming, huh...? I'll have you know this, but I don't need something like a dare from a petty bet to do what I want with you. I can do anything I want whenever I want to...

"

nTo finish this exchange, Cassidy went ahead and reached out both of her hands before holding the sides of her face. Irish flinches a bit at the contact of their skin, feeling like she has been electrified by both shock and trepidation. She then finds herself trapped in her seemingly glowing crimson orbs. Only then did she get a glimpse of her chaotic storm of emotions.

nCassidy just looks so intimidating right now - and here Irish thought that only Adrian and her grandfather could make her feel this frightened.

n

"That's right, sissy. Same with what happened to your poor ol' maids. So, you better watch your back...

" she taunted as she inched her face closer to hers and pressed her palms firmly on her cheeks, sending icy shivers down her spine.

n

"I'm all bite and no bark, you know.

"

nWith those as her last words, Cassidy eventually pulled away and smiled sweetly as if nothing happened.

nBoth Irish and Olivia are too stunned to make a coherent response. They only stay thunderstruck and speechless up until their sister-in-law finally makes her retreat. She strides straight out of the bar and leaves them there, looking more than satisfied by their reactions.

n

"That bitch...

" Irish then found herself hissing underneath her breath, slowly regaining her bearings.

n

"How dare she... That ugly little bitch...

"

n

"Irish, calm down...

" Olivia tried to talk her out of her anger in the meantime after noticing that a crowd has already begun to gather around them.

n

"Let her off the hook for now. It won't be good for your image to catch attention like this.

"

nWhile the two choose to settle down after ending up in quite a tight position, Cassidy only proceeds to make her way back to the casino.

nAt this point, she has no idea where she will go. She knows that she should not stray off too far, but she really wants to be by herself right now. It's just that everything she learned for the past few minutes were starting to overwhelm her.

nFirst, there was the whole two-timing fiasco, and now, another part of her miserable past was revealed. She also finally learned one of the main reasons why she ended up in this loveless marriage.

nCassidy could really use some break away from everything.

n