A Graduation Gift

Lionel looked at Cassandra, begging her with his eyes.

'Cassandra, are you really going to let the Tang Group die right under your nose?' he seemed to say.

The silent question asked by Lionel was yet to receive an answer. Cassandra took a deep breath and let out a huge sigh.

'I have dreamed to be an architect almost all my life. Still, reality strikes. Maybe it's not meant to be. I'm no longer the type of person who would go for my dream despite everything that the world is telling me. I'm no longer that stubborn child, ' Cassandra thought.

She knew that Lionel was sincere. A myriad of thoughts crossed her mind.

Never could she have imagined that Lionel would ever ask her to return to the Tang Group. Strangely, she did not seem to want to go back anyway.

"Mr. Tang, there are plenty of other excellent designers. I'm afraid I no longer want to go back," she declined firmly.

Again, she had to reject Lionel. But he wasn't giving up just yet.

"Why? Cassandra, please come back. I will give you a much better salary compared to what you earn here!"

Lionel tried to exclaim enthusiastically, hurriedly thinking of a good deal that Cassandra might have difficulty refusing.

"It has nothing to do with money. I will stay here for as long as Lyndsy's studio exists. When I was hopeless, it was Lyndsy who gave me a chance. We, humans, should appreciate other people's kindness and pay it back, shouldn't we?"

Cassandra replied seriously. Lionel's eyes landed on the documents piled on her desk. Suddenly, he realized something.

"Fine, then. Forget about it. Since this is what you want, I won't ask you again. But this I assure you: our doors will always be open for you. If ever you decide that you want to be the Architectural Manager of the company again, I will graciously accept," he said gently before he finally took his leave.

He wanted to be sure Cassandra knew this. She put up a polite smile and responded, "If chance permits, I would love to work with you someday, Mr. Tang."

'I will never be going back with him but this is the least I can do. I should at least make him feel good, ' she thought.

Squinting his eyes, unconvinced, Lionel turned and finally left.

When he arrived in his car, he took out his phone and searched Lyndsy's recent activities.

"Famous actress Lyndsy is shooting a new film at the Film Base. The director of the film, who has gotten a budget of thirty million, is the well-renowned…"

Lionel read the news online as a slice of cruelty flashed across his eyes.

'Cassandra did say that she would work for the studio for as long as it existed. Well then, I guess it's time to make the studio disappear, ' he thought as a sinister smile crawled across his face.

In a chilly night such as this one, that smile would probably send shivers done anyone's spine.

you'll be back, Cassandra. You'll be back sooner than you think. I'll make sure of it, ' he swore.

set in an ancient setting, was being filmed by the best teams in the country. This was also the biggest

was also there

of the equipment that would be used to hang Lyndsy. Then, he went to her

a stunt double for you? The routine is quite challenging today,"

martial arts director asked with concern. For an award-winning actress like Lyndsy, there was absolutely no need for her to take the risk.

stunt double? Look! The

at the stunt double who was

Cassandra could not help herself

in a movie of this genre. I would

Besides, these people were the best in their fields. She had her full faith in them.

"But…"

to think of ways to make Lyndsy change her mind. In her gut, she felt as if something was wrong. She couldn't explain it, but she really felt like something bad was going to happen.

worry. Just stay here

and turned her to face the other way. Then, she patted her back and proceeded to go on

turned around and followed Lyndsy with a glance before she finally heeded her instruction

be pretty stubborn, it was difficult to change her mind. When she said something, more often than

"Alright, I'm ready!"

as she slightly swung her costume. The white dress was flowing in the

martial arts director smiled and walked towards

megaphone, he announced, "Get ready!

people involved prepared themselves for the next sequence. According to the plan, they were going to

chest with her both hands. She felt her heart racing. The machine had lifted

the camera was rolling, and finally called out, "Action!" Soon, Lyndsy started flying downward very

hair. She was gorgeous and elegant.

her face. At that moment, she was just

by her beauty. Lyndsy was

to be the last smile that would ever be caught

into a quick freefall. Like a kite without a string, she fell

by

thump echoed through the set. After that, no

surroundings froze. In the next moment, she realized that people were

horrified, and

at what was before her with her mouth wide

while someone else tried to maintain order. Still, Cassandra was stupefied.

string, then looked at the people around Lyndsy. Suddenly, she felt a