CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THREE – KEEPING THE PEACE

They spent the rest of the evening in careful damage control mode, with Cassius subtly countering the rumors whenever they came up, and Mara keeping her ears open for any new whispers. By the time they finally made it back to the Noble mansion, both were exhausted. As they walked through the front door, Clarissa appeared at the top of the stairs, still dressed in her pajamas despite the late hour. "How was it?" she asked, taking in their weary expressions. Cassius and Mara exchanged a glance. "We need to talk," Cassius said grimly. As they made their way to Cassius' study, Mara couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Whatever Darius Trent had planned, it was clear he wasn't going to pull any punches. As Cassius stepped through the gleaming glass doors of Keppler Heritage HQ, the familiar scent of polished marble and fresh coffee greeted him. He had barely taken two steps into the lobby when his secretary, Evelyn, rushed towards him, her heels clicking urgently