Chapter 162

Cassandra’s chest throbbed with a dull pain. Her nails dug so deep into her palms that thin lines of blood seeped out from under her fingertips.

She bit back the surge of grief and frustration bubbling inside her.

She understood—really, she did. Grandpa just didn’t want the Hawthorne family to collapse in his lifetime. He couldn’t bear the thought of them being left with no heir.

But still…

How many more times could he shield Mara, a murderer?

Next time… when she gathered enough solid evidence, when she finally exposed how Mara and Ethan killed Faye…

Would Gerald still protect her?

A heavy thud behind her snapped her out of her thoughts. Cassandra stiffened and turned around instantly.

There he was—Gerald, on his knees, facing her.

“No—please, don’t…” Her dam broke as tears streamed down. She rushed toward him, choking on her sobs.

He couldn’t do this. He—he was supposed to be the elder. Seeing him kneel to her—it felt like