A Graduation Gift

Cassandra stared fixedly at Lionel. She read his every expression, and did not miss the slightest movement he made.

Lionel started to fidget under her scrutiny. He had let it slip in his panic and was now unable to think of anything to cover it up. He knew that Cassandra would definitely investigate into it since her suspicions had been aroused. Cold sweat began to crawl on his skin as he thought of the possible repercussions.

"Sorry, but I have to go now!"

Upon being cornered by his own devices, Lionel opted to escape. He sprang up and walked out the door quickly without even looking back.

Cassandra made no move to follow him, but Lionel knew he was being watched. It was as if her gaze burned upon his back.

Once inside his car, he fumbled for his keys and started the engine, out of breath. He clutched the steering wheel as if his life depended on it and sped away. It was only when he was far enough away that he allowed himself to let go of a long-held breath. He took deep lungfuls of air and slumped in his seat, perspiration glittering on his forehead.

He was not one to cower in the presence of a mere woman—not a single one of them had managed to shake his composure, but this time was very different. He had been careless, his own guilt had driven him up a wall.

There was much effort put into the whole thing. He had approached the action director in Lyndsy's crew and won him over with bribery. What happened after was all too easy. Upon his request, the director tampered with her safety wires, which staged the perfect accident and led to the closing of her studio. Once that happened, Cassandra lost her job.

Everything he did was to get her to go back to the Tang Group, even if it was through underhanded means.

But even after all of that, she still refused him firmly—something that was completely beyond his expectations. In the end, he got more kicks than halfpence. He felt like she had played him for a fool.

At this thought, he boiled with anger. He smashed his fist on the steering wheel in frustration. 'You are such a hard nut to crack, Cassandra, ' he thought, grinding his teeth.

inside the coffee shop, lost in her own thoughts. Her coffee

her with the way he abruptly left. Could it be true that

danger. She had told Lionel that she would not return to the Tang Group unless Lyndsy's studio shut down. It seemed that he had taken her words at face value and went on to

pieces had arranged themselves in her mind. The final click sent sinister shivers down her spine despite the warmth

of Lyndsy, as

crawl with anxiousness. She had lost contact with Lyndsy. She had tried all possible ways

you know any other way to contact

help, fearing that

of," Stella replied. "Why? You haven't talked to her? Have you tried asking her parents?"

Stella had pointed out such a simple solution, and it was one that had never occurred to Cassandra.

stupid of me! I had

was torn between laughing and

All that stress is turning your memory to

hanging up the phone and dialing Lyndsy's mother's number. Her pulse quickened as she waited with bated breath through

she began. "I'd like to ask if there is any other way to reach Lyndsy? I have tried to call her multiple times, but I haven't heard

gripped the phone tightly in her hands, trying to keep her voice steady. The last thing she wanted was to worry Lyndsy's

other end of the line. Cassandra was about to check if

sounding very hesitant. "Here is the thing. She had told us before she left that we should