Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1595: She was not alone in this

[Anteca Correctional Facility]

It wasn't like Cassandra had high expectations. It wasn't like she didn't know her father's concerns were genuine. He might be submissive to her grandfather, but Cassandra was his daughter-his flesh and blood.

But still... in the Smith family, only Senator Smith's words mattered.

He was the only one with real power and connections. Her parents and everyone else? They just relied on the senator's influence. Without it, they were nothing.

She used to think that was normal. But as she grew older-especially now, in this situation—she loathed it. She couldn't help but feel pathetic. Her parents were pathetic. And so was she.

"Hey, pretty face! Stop sobbing or I'll shut you up!"

Cassandra flinched at the bark from another inmate in a nearby cell.

"Someone's trying to nap here!" another shouted. "Shut up!"

"If I hear another whimper, I'll kill you, bitch!" a third snapped.

Cassandra clamped her hand over her mouth, muffling her sobs. She squeezed herself into the corner of the bunk bed, tears now flowing more freely.

The women here weren't friendly. On her first day, someone had already warned her not to be a nuisance. Otherwise, she'd "get it." She didn't want to know what "it" meant, so she tried to be as quiet as possible. Even then, she understood that silence would only buy her a little time before she became someone's target.

And she was sure of that.

God...

She shuddered, closing her eyes as her shoulders trembled. She wouldn't survive this place.

She didn't know it, but in her first life, Penny had told herself the same thing-until the beatings became too much. The difference was, Cassandra had no brother to please. She was never compelled to take up martial arts or fight back. So her chances of surviving this were slim.

herself, a sharp

rapped the bars with her baton. "Get

BUZZ!

eyes open at the sharp buzz of the cell door. As usual, the officer

look from the officer.

her back to the officer, allowing herself to be cuffed. Visits meant going through multiple checkpoints. She'd already done

visitor was on the way, but

ones-the officers were, too. Compassion wasn't expected when they were dealing with the most dangerous criminals in the country. And

BUZZ!

to these sharp, mechanical sounds. The door to the

inside, Cassandra saw Kiara rise from her

friend made a lump form in her throat, her neck tightening. But Cassandra held back her tears as the officer locked her handcuffs on the

officer said, standing in the

prisoners like Cassandra were granted one visit per day, three times a week. But

her

couldn't even ask if Cassandra was okay because clearly, she wasn't. Kiara's own

had been friends for a long time. Cassandra could see how Kiara immediately held back her tears. And for some reason, that subtle effort

cry," Kiara blurted, pressing her palm to the glass as if to wipe away

Cassandra couldn't stop

first five minutes of their fifteen-minute visit, the two just sat

appeal was rejected again," Cassandra finally whispered when she found her voice. She sniffled hard. "Ki... I don't

failing-to force a smile. "They tried to appeal again

her hands were cuffed. "I'm not getting out. I don't think I ever will-I'm going to

like that, the fear

arrest, she'd told herself she was innocent and

But with every passing day,

were convicted, she would

not by execution, then... she