Chapter 168

"Are you okay?" Fred's gentle, magnetic voice murmured just above Cassandra's head. She quickly pushed him away, drawing in a deep breath. "Thank you," she replied, her voice calm and composed. Fred's fingers tightened instinctively. When Cassandra had fallen into his embrace moments before, he'd traced the soft contours of her body and breathed in her faint scent. Now, with her stepping away, it felt like a fragment of his heart had slipped away with her. He somehow managed a faint smile. "Don't mention it," he said. "It's what anyone would've done." Lily lurked in the corner, her face twisted with fury as she watched Cassandra walk away unharmed. Through gritted teeth, she hissed, "She's only lucky this once. Next time, she won't be so damn fortunate!" By chance, Lily was also at the hospital, getting her dressings changed. Jessie clutched her chest, still trembling from the shock. Her gaze darted to Lily, who remained wrapped in bandages. "You nearly scared me to death just