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 had

back to Lionel's earlier actions. It was almost as if he was fleeing from her with the way he abruptly left. Could it be true that Lyndsy's accident was

mean that her own words had put Lyndsy in 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

themselves in her mind. The final click sent sinister

there was no sign of

with Lyndsy. She had tried all possible ways of contacting, but heard nothing back.

you know any other way to contact Lyndsy,

help, fearing

I know of," Stella replied. "Why? You haven't talked to her? Have

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

of me! I had not thought of

own foolishness. Stella was torn between laughing and crying on the other side of

get some rest. All that stress is turning your memory to an old woman's. You're still too young

more words with her before hanging up the phone and dialing Lyndsy's mother's number. Her pulse quickened as she waited with

someone picked up. "Hello, this is Cassandra," she began. "I'd like to ask if there is any other way to reach Lyndsy? I have tried

her voice steady. The last thing she wanted was

was only silence for a moment from the other end of the line. Cassandra was about to check if the call had been cut off, but

sounding very hesitant. "Here is the thing. She had told us before she left that we should not inform you how to contact her, or her