Cassandra
The press speculations had turned into an uncontrollable storm. Tabloid covers were filled with rumors about a marriage of convenience and the supposed financial troubles my family was going through. Mr. Renfield's call was no surprise, but the urgency in his voice was. He wanted to see Warrick and me in his office immediately. I knew this meeting would be crucial, and although I was nervous, I was also determined to be completely honest.
I prepared in silence, trying to stay calm. Warrick, for his part, was equally tense. The worried expression on his face mirrored my own feelings. We knew this conversation was inevitable, but that didn't make it any less terrifying.
The journey to Mr. Renfield's office reflected our state of mind: silent and full of tension. The rain fell he
