Chapter 457

"Cassandra, I don't want to tell you if you're going to react like this," Adrienne said cautiously. Adrienne had barely uttered a word, and Cassandra already exploded. If she had heard the whole story, it would have been far worse.

Adrienne stood up abruptly. "Actually, I just remembered I have something urgent at home. I should go."

"Don't you dare leave!" Cassandra grabbed her wrist. How could she let her escape so easily?

"You didn’t explain properly. Are you trying to drive me insane? Tell me—where did you hear this? And who is Alexander engaged to?"

The question burned on Cassandra’s tongue. Deep down, she refused to believe it. She had been by Alexander Kensington’s side for years. There weren’t even female pets around him, much less women. How could a man who never dated suddenly be engaged? If this had come from anyone else, she would’ve laughed it off as a ridiculous joke. But Adrienne wouldn’t lie to her.

Adrienne Prescott belonged to one of Garnet Springs’ elite families. She was Cassandra’s closest friend and knew exactly how obsessed Cassandra was with Alexander. She wouldn’t joke about something like this.

"Cass, it might not even be true. I only heard it through gossip. Don’t take it too seriously." Adrienne bit her lip, hesitating.

"Forget I said anything. Treat it as baseless rumors. Don’t overreact."

"Adrienne!" Cassandra yanked her friend’s arm, stomping her foot. "You’re killing me! I know the difference between truth and lies. Just tell me what you heard, and I won’t hold you responsible!"

Cassandra’s temper was infamous in the entertainment industry. If she weren’t so famous—and if her brother, Sebastian Winslow, didn’t constantly clean up her messes—she would’ve been canceled long ago. Even now, her assistant hovered nervously outside the dressing room after being screamed at moments earlier.

"It was just hearsay!"

Adrienne sighed. "Did you know Reginald Hawthorne celebrated his birthday recently?"

Cassandra nodded automatically, then shook her head. She had no idea.

The Winslows had risen quickly in recent years, but they were still newcomers among the elite. They didn’t mingle with the old-money families like the Hawthornes.

"He’s from the Hawthorne family in Elmsworth. You know, the reclusive political dynasty?" Adrienne explained patiently, but Cassandra cut her off.

"I don’t care about the Hawthornes! I care about Alexander! Get to the point!"

Adrienne’s lips thinned. "I am getting there. Relax. Even if this is true, it’s just an engagement, not a wedding. Why are you freaking out?"

"How can I not freak out? I’ve spent years guarding him, scaring off every woman who looked his way. And now you’re telling me he’s engaged? To who?" Cassandra’s voice rose to a shriek.