Chapter 296: Was the Mute Boy Cassius?
Something stirred in his chest.
And then, all at once, it spread–consuming his heart entirely.
He glanced down in surprise.
But there was nothing there.
“Gemma, hurry up! Uncle Cass transformed!” Noah bounced with excitement.
Gemma jogged over, laughing.
She stepped through the dappled light-
Like a goddess descending to save the world.
Growing larger and larger in his vision.
His heart pounded wildly again.
Like it was about to shatter his ribs.
And yet….
He couldn’t bring himself to look away.
Not until she crouched beside Noah, right across from him.
Only then did he force himself to snap out of it, slipping back into his usual indifferent facade–like nothing in the world could touch him.
“Transformed into what?”
Gemma ruffled Noah’s cheek, grinning as she asked.
Noah leaned in conspiratorially.
“Gemma, you won’t believe it. My Uncle Cass went from an ice–cold monster to a warm, fluffy kitten.”
Noah kept going.
“I like fluffy kitten. If he stays like this, I think I can finally ask him to buy me that gaming console.”
Gemma suddenly wondered if she had gone a little overboard.
This kid was starting to get ideas.
Cassius scooped Noah up effortlessly.
“Movie’s over. Time to head home?”
Noah hesitated.
It wasn’t often he got to go out–he wanted to try a few more things.
Gemma backed him up.
“Sure, this stuff isn’t cutting–edge, but kids need to experience everything to figure out what they like best.”
Cassius took her advice and let Noah ride the mall’s space chairs.
Even though tech like this had long been outdated at their research institute.
His bodyguards quickly moved to surround Noah, keeping a watchful eye on him.
And just like that, it got quieter around Gemma.
She turned to Cassius.
‘Can I ask for a favor?”
Cassius stood with his one hand in pocket, posture straight as ever. Even tucked into a corner, he was impossible to ignore.
People couldn’t help but stare.
His lips were curved slightly, as if in amusement-
Yet when he spoke, his tone was distant, like someone who had seen too much of the world.
‘Go on.”
Gemma didn’t think much of it. She was used to how he was.
“When I was little, I saved a boy in the mountains.”
Cassius’s breathing subtly shifted.
Serting
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Chapter 296: Was the Mute Boy Cassius?
But he stayed silent.
“Well… ‘saved‘ is a bit much.” Gemma let out a self–deprecating laugh. “Honestly, I was barely surviving myself. I just wanted to escape the mountains. Either make it out or die trying.”
“That boy, though… he wanted to live.”
“I was lonely. Figured having someone with me wouldn’t be so bad.”
“So I brought him along and got him out.”
“As for me…”
She trailed off, skipping over what had happened to her.
Not that it really mattered now.
“I went back.”
“We promised to meet outside the mountains one day. But all these years have passed, and I never found him.”
Saying it out loud made her feel strangely lighter.
“I want your help tracking him down. He couldn’t talk back then–I don’t know if he was mute from birth or if he lost his voice due to an injury.”
“I get it—it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.”
Cassius lifted a hand.
Pressed it against his chest.
For some reason, that spot ached.
“You never forgot about him?”
Gemma, lost in thought, didn’t notice how hoarse his voice had gotten.
“We made a promise. If I had nothing, fine. But now that I have some means, I want to keep it.”
“If he’s living well, I can be at peace.”
“If he’s struggling, and if he’s a good person, I want to help him.”
Cassius slowly unclenched his fists.
“What if… he’s not the person you think he is?”
Gemma fell silent.
Cassius held his breath.
His body tensed.
Like a man awaiting judgment.
‘I believe people are shaped by their environment.”
“But that boy… his eyes were so clear.”
“Even if he faced hardship later, I believe he’d hold on to his principles.”
Gemma hesitated, suddenly feeling a little self–conscious.
“Of course, that’s just what I think. We won’t know until we find him.”
“You-‘
She turned to look at Cassius–Only to find his expression unusually complicated.
His normally dark eyes churned with emotion, like storm waves crashing against the shore.
But he said nothing.
For some reason, that made her uneasy.
*Maybe I’m asking for too much. It really is like searching for a needle in a haystack, and-”
“Forget it. I know you’re busy. Just pretend I never brought it up.”
Cassius looked straight at her then.
His deep, abyss like eyes locked onto hers.
A tidal wave of emotions crashed down-
Pressing against her chest, making it hard to breathe.
I’ll find him for you.”
Cassius wanted to tell her he was the boy.
But he had no proof
And right now, their emotions were too unstable.
Sutting
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Chapter 296: Was the Mute Boy Cassius?
If Gemma misunderstood his intentions, it could ruin everything.
With her, he could take things slow, be patient, but he wouldn’t allow any misunderstandings.
He had already learned his lesson from Marcus.
He wouldn’t repeat that mistake.
Gemma was touched. She knew Cassius was a man of his word.
If he promised this, he would do everything in his power to make it happen.
“Thank you. But I’ve been searching for years. I don’t mind waiting longer. Don’t let this interfere with your work.”
Cassius shook his head. “I’m happy to do it.”
Gemma blinked. “Huh”
He turned away slightly, as if trying to suppress something.
Yet his throat felt dry, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
“I mean, this way, you won’t be wasting time chasing dead ends. You’ll have more time to spend with Noah”
Gemma “oh“-ed. Leave it to a bigshot to see things this way.
For a split second, she had almost wondered–Could Cassius be that mute boy?
The thought alone made her roll her eyes at herself.
Cassius was born into wealth, raised with every privilege. There was no way he had ever been in her godforsaken mountain village.
Her imagination was running wild
Cassius’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Do you remember what he looked like? Draw me a sketch.”
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