Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1533

Chapter 1533: How far will you go for a friend?

Cassandra sat in a room, her eyes growing dimmer the longer she stayed in this place.

And to think it had only been just over two days since she was arrested. What more could she endure for the rest of the trial? She couldn’t even bear to think about it.

Just then, the door flew open from the other side.

Looking up, tears quickly welled in her eyes.

"Cassy!" Kiara rushed in as Cassandra rose from her seat.

The two girls immediately embraced, crying softly as they held each other tight.

"I didn’t do it," Cassandra whispered into Kiara’s shoulder, her voice muffled and trembling. "I didn’t—I swear, Ki. It’s not me."

"I know, I know," Kiara sniffled, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. "I know."

She forced a small smile and cupped Cassandra’s cheeks. "I believe you."

For some reason, hearing those words from her friend brought more tears to Cassandra’s eyes. She melted into Kiara’s embrace once more, gripping the back of her shirt so tightly her hand began to tremble. Kiara rubbed her back, trying her best to console her in an otherwise inconsolable moment.

If none of this had happened, they would probably be on the phone right now, chatting about Cassandra’s new accommodation—or anything, really. Just two days ago, neither of them could have imagined such a sudden, tragic turn of events.

Eventually, after crying their hearts out, they sat down. Kiara dragged a chair next to Cassandra’s and the two of them held hands across the table, eyes locked.

"I don’t know, Ki," Cassandra whispered helplessly, shaking her head. "Everything’s just—just a blur. It’s like I’m being swept away in a current, clinging to a broken piece of driftwood."

Before Kiara arrived, Cassandra had just finished speaking with her lawyer and family.

"All they can do is appeal the decision," she continued in the same breathless voice. "But I’m losing hope, Ki. I don’t even know why this is happening to me."

Was this karma?

Karma for everything she had done until the moment she was arrested? For hurting others just because she could—just because she was unhappy? Was life now throwing a boulder at her to force some reflection?

Kiara let out a heavy sigh.

"I don’t want to stay here another day," Cassandra added, fear creeping into her eyes. "I’m scared."

"I know." Kiara’s heart ached, but there were no words that could truly ease her friend’s pain.

Nothing she could say would change the reality of where they were. It wasn’t as if either of them had ever imagined Cassandra would be the one sitting in a prison cell. Jail had never been part of the picture.

"It’s going to be okay," Kiara said gently, trying to comfort her. "Please... hang on, Cassy. I believe you’re innocent, and... the truth will come out."

Cassandra pressed her lips together, the words of thanks lingering at the edge of her tongue. But she couldn’t bring herself to say them. Not now. Still, her heart ached with gratitude.

A friend who believed in her.

Perhaps that alone was enough.

Even her own family and lawyer hadn’t told her they believed in her. They only talked about how to get her out because it was tarnishing her grandfather’s reputation.

That alone made her stomach turn. But Kiara’s words gave her something to hold on to.

"I’ll try to ask for help, too," Kiara said, offering a tentative smile.

"Huh?" Cassandra furrowed her brows. "Who are you going to ask for help from?"

Kiara’s only response was a subtle, knowing smile.

"Kiara, no." Cassandra shook her head. "You don’t have to ask your family—"

Later...

She doubted that.