Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 58

Chapter Fifty–Eight: Did Cassienne Want Him Back?

Even after Cassienne turned her back and walked away, no one could stop her.

She moved with calm steps, her head held high, as if nothing in that building could touch her anymore. Behind her, Dreston followed closely. His presence was calm and protective, daring anyone to come near. Anyone who tried would have thought twice. He walked beside her like a shield, like a bodyguard whose only duty was to make sure she left unharmed.

But no one spoke. No one dared to stop her.

When the elevator doors opened at the ground floor of Coralreach, the sight before them was unexpected.

Staff members had gathered there. Some stood in shock, others simply admired her. Then suddenly, applause filled the space. Hands clapped loudly as Cassienne stepped out of the elevator, walking beside Dreston.

It was not just respect they were showing. It was a regret.

One fact stood out clearly to everyone–the CEO of Auralink, the number one tech company in the Nether- Kingdom, was walking beside her like her protector. That alone sent a powerful message.

The second fact was even more painful.

Coralreach had been sitting on a professional player, a rare genius, without even knowing it.

The realization hit hard. But it was too late.

The tech expo was just around the corner, and now their best player–the one who could have carried them to victory was walking away. They were losing her. And it hurts.

The shock was heavy, and the regret was louder than the claps.

Outside, the bodyguards noticed Dreston coming out. Without hesitation, they opened the back door of the black

car.

Cassienne entered quietly. There was no pride on her face, no anger either–only calm acceptance. Dreston followed her inside. The door shut softly.

The car moved forward.

Behind it, the second car carrying the bodyguards followed closely, disappearing from Coralreach grounds.

Back on the development floor, the silence felt heavy.

Corren stood still, his eyes fixed on the large screen. His fingers hovered over the desk as he read through the endless comments flooding the chat box.

Names kept repeating.

NULLWRAITH. OBSIDIAN_13.

Many players were convinced they were the same person.

Corren’s chest tightened.

Could Cassienne be both?

Chapter Fifty–Eight Did Cossionne Want Him Back?

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The thought struck him so hard that he suddenly burst into laughter. It was loud, bitter, and filled with regret. Heads turned toward him.

“We’re screwed,” he said.

And that was all.

Merrick slowly stood up. His movements were calm and controlled, but his disappointment was clear. He turned toward Corren.

“I told you this was reckless,” Merrick said quietly. “I warned you. I told you exactly what would happen. But you didn’t listen.”

Corren had no reply, because Merrick was right. Every word he spoke was right.

Merrick walked away down the hallway toward his office. But his mind was restless.

Cassienne had left–with her ex–husband. What now? Would Dreston offer her a better position?

The answer was already obvious.

Who, in their right mind, would let a genius like that walk away?

Dreston may have lost Cassienne once, back when he did not understand who she truly was. But now, he knew, he knew better. A man like Dreston would use every resource, every advantage, to bring her into his company.

He hated losing.

It was why Auralink still ruled the market.

Merrick had been the one who pushed Corren to give Cassienne that office. He had seen her value long before today. He had believed in her when no one else did.

But now, because of weak policies and Corren’s childish decisions, Coralreach has lost everything.

They had lost the one person who could have changed their future.

The one person who could have finally given them the name they had been struggling so hard to build in the tech world.

And this time–There was no fixing it.

Back in the development department, the hall slowly began to empty.

People moved around quietly, packing their things, whispering in low voices. The tension from earlier had not completely faded. It lingered in the air, heavy and uncomfortable.

Daisy remained seated at her desk, sipping her drink calmly. Without even trying, she had suddenly become the most interesting person in the room.

A few colleagues gathered around her.

“Please,” one of the male developers said, his eyes bright with excitement. He was also a gamer. “Tell me more about your friend. I didn’t know she was a pro player. How did she even hide that?”

Daisy rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested. She didn’t even look at him.

Another woman stepped closer, trying a softer approach. “Daisy, you know how much I respect Miss Rhodes. I really do. I would love it if you could introduce me to her properly one day. She’s the kind of woman I want to

– De

respormula sespeed, a shap voice cut through the netsenge

Shin

ing as the across the hall. Now, everyone turned to look at her her

terupteder erupted.

Not a potom polte che either. It was loud, inocking, and filled wide sits natisaction.

jupce stood up.

id calmly, steepimbrostepping forward, “that someone has forgotten they no jo no longer bolong here.”

o Florence, string, standing right in her space.

a little shamedelt store left in you.” Daisy continued coldly, “you wouldn’t sell standing here.”

shed. “You–d “You-”

ind, stopping her tostay her mstantiv

he snappeda snapped

ook her head her head.

k this is? You think becansunt berase you’re Corren’s girlfriend, he won’t dismiss yous vou?”

hout humor. humor.

y reason Corren tolerated you

to was because he thought you would be usel at throderech expo. But

closer. “Someone beat you. bear you. And not just anyone.”

I don’t think he’ll even look beven look at you again.”

and returned to her desk as fetes if Florence no longer existed.

zen for a moment a moment.

und and stormed out, her heels clickine sis cucking sharply against the floor, each step filled with anthranger

, Dreston finally went to see his parene his parents.

Dannouncing his supposed manage tomate rotina, they had called him repeatedly. He ignored every every cross from them at the dining table, quietty te, quietly eating dinner.

warmth. Just the sound of cutlery against platesunst plates.

shed eating, he placed his cutiery down neatly gempatiye wiped his mouth and straightened his his

return your calls,” he said caliniy, daliniy

Chapter fifty–Fight Did Conssienne Want Him Back?

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His father scoffed.

Joseph’s jaw tightened as he gripped the steak knife harder than necessary. His knuckles turned white.

“Is it true?” Joseph asked.

The sharpness in his voice made Abigail flinch. But Dreston didn’t react. He didn’t even look up at his father.

“What is true?” Dreston replied evenly.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Joseph snapped. “Is it true that you’re getting married to that girl?”

Dreston let out a slow breath before answering.

“No,” he said. “We are not getting married. Not anytime soon. And honestly, I don’t think I’m capable of marrying anyone right now.”

The words didn’t sit well with Abigail.

She looked troubled, but instead of arguing, she asked quietly. “What if we can get Cassienne to marry you again? Would you accept?”

The question hung in the air, leaving Dreston frozen.

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He had no answer to that question, because the truth was painful. It was never about what he wanted. It had always been about Cassienne.

And the real question remained–Did Cassienne want him back?

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