“A year ago, someone came to me—used my mother to threaten me, forced me to walk away from Veyne & Co. It wasn’t out of the blue; that same day, I’d just discovered that someone had been rifling through confidential files in the records room.”
Cassian’s features tightened, his brow shadowed with concern. Bennett, beside him, tensed up as well.
“My mother couldn’t handle being shuttled around to different hospitals anymore. After digging into things myself, I started to suspect Ruby was their target. They were after Mrs. Veyne all along.”
As Helen spoke, her words wrapped around Cassian’s heart like a net, tightening with every syllable.
He’d entertained this possibility countless times, but always shoved it away. Now, with the truth laid bare, it drained the strength from his limbs. He slumped back against his chair, gripping the armrests so tightly it seemed he might shatter the entire conspiracy with his bare hands.
“Why should I believe you?” he said, forcing back the lump in his throat, his eyes as cold as frost.
Helen didn’t flinch—she must have anticipated this.
“Ruby took care of me. I’m grateful to her, and I feel like I’ve let her down.” Helen pressed a hand to her chest, her expression heavy with guilt. “But—”
She lifted her gaze and met Cassian’s eyes, her own clear and unwavering. “After I left, I had someone leave something behind in the archives. If Mr. Veyne had ever truly wanted to investigate, I’m sure he would have found it.”
Cassian’s eyes narrowed.
“What was it?” He tried to keep his voice steady.
“The case files. The files from Ruby’s case.” Helen’s fingers curled into her palm. “After I resigned, I knew I owed Ruby, so I kept an eye on what was happening at the company. I never imagined those people’s real goal was to see her put behind bars.”
“My hands were tied by family at the time. I’ve spent the past year racked with guilt, unable to sleep. Thank you, Mr. Veyne, for giving me this chance to tell the truth today.”
Helen seemed to gather herself, standing up straighter, ignoring the weakness in her knees.
Cassian’s eyes narrowed even further. “Everyone Ruby ever helped was quietly gathering evidence for her. Cameron Lockridge even told me once that he’d given you half the case files.”
This time, Helen looked directly at Cassian. “Mr. Veyne, a year ago you didn’t trust your wife. We all knew what we did might end up being useless. But I only wanted to make things right for her. I never thought you’d come to me, a year later, asking for the truth.”
Her voice carried a trace of bittersweet resignation.
Cassian felt a surge of bitter irony. She was right—it was painfully clear how two-faced his actions had been, then and now.
“Do you know who threatened you?” His knuckles popped as he flexed his fingers in the air, a chill settling over the room.
Helen bit her lip. “I don’t know for sure. But I have a suspicion.”
“Who?”
The air grew taut with tension.

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