Chapter 7 His Lost Sister

Just as Cassandra was about to step out of the car, her phone rang suddenly, its ringtone startlingly loud. Cassandra pulled out her phone from her bag, awkwardly covering the receiver. “I'm sorry, I can't adjust the volume on my phone.” She was using her brother's outdated phone, its screen half-shattered and the volume stuck. Every time there was an incoming call alert, it was as disruptive as tearing down a house. Cassandra fumbled for the answer button and pressed it. No sooner had she done so than Judith's shrill, harsh voice came through the receiver. “So you think you're all grown up now, huh? Staying out all night? Where on earth have you been? Get back here immediately! The man I've chosen for you is here to propose today, so hurry back and meet him.” Cassandra's heart sank. Fighting back her sorrow, she asked, “What man? That forty-five-year-old cripple?” Judith mocked, “Don't forget that you're blind now! You should be grateful if anyone even wants you, yet here you are, being picky. Do you really think you're some kind of princess?” A man's lewd and unpleasant voice came through the phone. “Only two hundred thousand for a university graduate's betrothal gift? Are you trying to rip me off? Can your daughter bear children? If not, don't expect a single penny.” Judith adopted a different demeanor and reassured, “You can relax, she's still pure and untouched. She will definitely be able to bear you a healthy son.” “That's great to hear. My parents have been eagerly waiting to become grandparents, hoping for two grandchildren within three years. A young girl like her would certainly make a lively mother.” Upon hearing these words, Cassandra felt a heart-wrenching pain. Her own mother had just sold her off. If she hadn't met Hansel, her parents might have found her, taken her back home, and forced her to bear children for the lecherous old cripple. What a bleak existence that would have been. Cassandra held her phone tightly, her voice resolute as she declared, “Mom, I'm married now. I'm never going back to that house again.” She was no saint, nor was she the type to let herself be taken advantage of. She could do without such a family. “What? You're married? To whom? When did this happen, and why didn't I know? Hello? Hello?” Cassandra promptly ended the call. Judith cursed, “What an ungrateful girl! All the years I've spent raising her were for nothing!” Daniel, who was in the midst of smoking, didn't look too pleased upon hearing the news. “She told you she's married?” “It's definitely a lie. Who would want her, a blind girl?” Judith expressed in disbelief. The old cripple with a mouth full of yellow teeth snarled, “We had an agreement. You promised me a pure and untouched woman. If she's been tarnished, don't even think about receiving a betrothal gift from me!” Coming from a poor family, he had to borrow money from all corners to scrape together the two hundred thousand for the betrothal gift. He certainly didn't intend to marry a woman of ill repute. Judith quickly reassured, “Don't worry, that girl is very well-behaved. She wouldn't cause any trouble. She has nowhere else to go outside. She'll be back in a couple of days. When she does, I'll bring her to you right away.” After stepping out of the car, Cassandra couldn't help but crouch by the roadside, tears streaming down her face. The assistant handed her a packet of tissues. “Ms. Miller, stop crying. Those kind of family members aren't worth your tears.” Cassandra handed her phone over to him. “Could you do me a favor and block my parents' contact numbers? I don't want to receive their calls anymore.” Family members like that only uttered words that were like daggers to the heart. After a great deal of difficulty, she had managed to escape. She didn't want to have any sort of connection with them anymore. “All right.” Following her instructions, the assistant added the phone numbers of her parents and brothers to the block list. With this, they were no longer able to bother Cassandra. “Ms. Miller, please stop crying. Prolonged crying is not good for your eyes.” “Thank you.” Cassandra wiped the tears from her face and bravely stood up. She was due for surgery. The doctor had advised her not to cry often as it could be harmful to her eyes. She had weathered so many hardships before; she was certain she could handle this one too. Cassandra's crying had made the tip of her nose turn a rosy red. Witnessing her in such a state aroused the assistant's sympathy. Her pale, delicate face was remarkably captivating. The assistant had seen countless ladies and socialites try to win Hansel's favor. However, none could compare to the young girl standing before him now, who radiated such grace and charm. Such a young girl was truly worthy of Hansel. At that moment, a luxury car drove past the hospital entrance. Benjamin Luther, from his position in the back seat, glanced out the window and caught sight of Cassandra's tear-streaked profile. His eyes widened as he doubted what he had seen. The girl was the spitting image of his mother when she was young. Over the years, his parents had remained in a state of constant melancholy due to his younger sister's disappearance. The Luther family had exhausted all their connections, even seeking help from the Fitzgerald family, but ultimately, they were unable to find his lost sister.