HEIR TO THE DOJO

Cassandra under heat

The inside of the Valemore living room was heating. The family members assembled themselves around a long table.

Among them was Amelia, the eldest daughter of the family who had always hated Cassandra for being the CEO of the Valemore group.

She believes the position was meant for her, and Cassandra had snatched her place because of some cheap leadership skills she displayed to curry the father's attention.

That had led to a big feud a big feud which led to splitting the Valemore business and resources into two. Half of which is handled by Cassandra, and the other by Amelia

And Jason Valemore, the last child—always too sure of himself, always the loudest guy in the room.

"You've put this family into shame, Cassandra," Mr. Valemore continued berating, his eyes blazing. "You're always different," His finger snapped in the air. "You went in there to bail a man.. that criminal who raped you! What has really gotten into you!"

"Maybe it's time to know who should really handle all the family resources," Amelia chipped in.

"Amelia!" Mrs. Valemore glared at her.

Amelia snapped back. "You can't continue defending her, mom," Amelia continued, her hatred for Cassy naked under the disguise of guidance. "She's my younger sister and I have every right to scold her."

She waved at her dismissively. "Now, take a look at it," She said. "Who knows what's going to happen to her in the next eight days having slept with a miserable man from nowhere," She mocked shamelessly. "How disgusting."

"Watch your mouth, Amy!" Mrs. Valemore scolded. "You don't speak to your sister that way."

Mrs. Valemore turned to her husband, concern etching all over her face.

"Honey," She called with a gentle voice. "Why don't we do something before things get out of hand. We shouldn't allow anything to happen to our daughter. Please."

Jason who had been casually scrolling on i***a on his phone raised his head.

"Why don't she just marry that rich guy...her fiance. Caspian, yeah."

Cassandra disapproved instantly. "I'm quitting the relationship with him! I'll never marry a man like him. Never."

Amelia chuckled with a smirk. "This is really getting more interesting." She muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.

Mr. Valemore shot up, his chair scrapping back.

"What did you just say," He snarled. "You dare not go against my decision!"

Tension spiked in the hall.

Mrs. Valemore shifted, uneasy.

Cassandra stood up gently. Her expression Stoic and composure under the rising pressure. She looked at the man whom she thought was her father.

"My marital life is for me to decide, Dad." She said quietly and firmly. "You shouldn't try to force me against my will when this is clearly not what I wanted in the first place. When I tried to respect your decision over my happiness, I realized that I'll be the one left alone suffering the consequences if things go south in my marriage."

The room quieted for a few seconds.

Mr. Valemore stepped forward once, his defiance refusing to yield.

"And do you know what consequences your stupid decision can cost our company? Our lives?" He toned. "The Roderick family are the largest builders in our company. This is not just about marital Union. It's a collaboration. Strength."

"Do you really think you have a better man out there than Caspian? The heir of the top ten richest families in the city? Maybe if you do, then I'll come to agree with your decision."

Cassandra shook his head in disbelief, staring into her father's eyes. "So this isn't about me after all? This is about the business, Huh?" She laughed— sharp, bitter.

Mrs. Valemore held her hand gently. "No, Cassandra," She said firmly. "Your father only cares about you just like we all do."

Amelia scoffed.

Mr. Valemore swallowed. But he didn't crack. "Your mother is right, Cassandra," His voice dropped quieter now. "We all care about you. We don't want anything to happen which is why the Caspian is the best man for you to marry. They're powerful. You'll get everything you want. And they've promised to remove the curse on you."

He pressed on gently. "You have eight days to decide, Cassandra. Eight days. We don't know the consequences of what your intimacy with that man will cause you."

Cassandra Chuckled bitterly. She knew his father was only being sweet now, not because he really cared about her— He only cares about the family business.

And she was just the stake to uphold the family business. Her decisions had never mattered.

Numerous times, stirred by their hostility, she'd wondered if actually they were her real family, except for her mother who had always treated her differently.

She stood straighter, glancing at her dad.l in disappointment.

She nodded like she knew better. "I can see you truly care about my well being," She smiled— crooked, bitter. Her voice dripped with readable sarcasm. "But I'm not going to marry Caspian even if he's the only reason that'll save me from dying in the next eight days."

Gasps!

The hall went silent for a few seconds.

"What a shame." Amelia muttered, her shock melting into disgust.

Mr. Valemore stood rose to his feet, shock written all over his face.

Jason froze mid-scroll.

Mrs. Valemore's expression was a mix of shock and sincere concern, almost

Cassandra continued.

"Caspian was the one who drugged me. He wanted to force his way with me. " She said, putting everyone into shock with the confession. She quickly reached into her bag and slammed a paper to the table.

"This is the evidence. Lustbane. Caspian is a jerk!"

Mr. Valemore glanced into the paper. His expression twisted with disbelief as she waved the paper like it was trash.

"Are you kidding me, huh," He sneered, raising a brow. "You're trying to lie against an innocent man now because he's not the man you wanted?"

Amelia shook her head with an exaggerated expression. "So this is how far your desperation can push you just to prove that you're valid? How mischievous."

Cassandra's eyes burned with tears. It was even more painful that her own family didn't believe anything she'd said.

Earlier, she doubted Ragnar, thinking he was only making stories up to evade punishment. But the test that proves the hint of Lustbane in her blood stream, and with his truthful confession in the interrogation room....there was no crack in the alignment.

She smiled bitterly, her voice cracking slightly with emotions. "What's the point if none of you believe me," She said quietly, stepping back like the weight of staying finally outmatched her strive to prove a point to them. "Believe me or not, I'm never going to marry Caspian." She turned to walk out as emotions overwhelmed her.

"I believe you!" A voice cut through the air from behind.

Heads turned in the direction.