Ice and Fire

Chapter 772 A Call From Stephen (Part One)

At the gate of Maple Restaurant, Cassie stopped the car. And she at once saw Francis's noticeable car.

With sarcastic glee, she thought, 'Francis, you have no moral authority to fault me as a spendthrift. You

are splashing lots of money on a meal. Aren't you much as a black sheep as I am?'

In the restaurant, Francis and Violet sat at a corner, chatting while enjoying their meal.

As Cassie walked in, a waiter welcomed her and courteously inquired, "May I help you?"

"I am looking for someone," said Cassie, searching for Francis.

The servant thought that Cassie was here to find her friend, so he left Cassie alone.

While Cassie was seeking for Francis, she saw Violet seating at a corner and stopped in her tracks,

wondering, 'Why is she here?'

And then Cassie recognized the man opposite Violet, she was shocked to realize the man was none

other than her cousin.

Never in her wildest dreams had Cassie thought that Francis would have lunch together with Violet.

She wondered, 'Are they close to each other? Or is there any secret between them that I don't know?'

Careful not to break their conversation and eager to spy on what they were up to, Cassie kept a safe

distance. Finding an ideal spot for the job, behind a large vase, she stood still and observed them,

taking note of every detail she could. Between eating and chatting, they also seemed to share some

heart laughter. At some point, she noticed Francis pass a serviette to Violet to wipe the side of her

mouth.

"Violet, you are a fox. What mischief are up to with my cousin?" Cassie scolded.

Then thinking about the recent turn of events, she found that some events were quite coincidental that

she began to suspect Violet might have been the hand pulling strings behind the scenes.

How could Violet be having lunch with Francis now, when barely two hours ago, Cassie had got wind of

the decision by Francis to help GR Group. Wasn't Violet's appearance in the picture a telltale sign of

some connections? But Tina also tried to get Greg. There was no reason for her to help GR Group.

Didn't Violet hate Tina?

With growing anger as she watched Violet and Francis at their table, Cassie had an evil nudge.

On the spur of the moment, Cassie pulled out her cellphone and took several photos, without any of

them noticing. Then she sneaked away to a different table where she could still watch them without

being found out. She stealthily stole a glance around to make sure no one was watching. Once more,

she secretly took a stash of photos, trying best to capture at different angles, as much as her limited

movement would allow.

Staring at the photos she took, Cassie laughed spitefully, thinking to herself, 'Violet, last time I tried to

retaliate, but someone stopped me. This time I'll make you lose face. By the time I'm done with you,

you'll wish the ground would swallow you up. I want to see how Greg will react when he sees these

photos.'

Then Cassie squinted at Violet and left the restaurant.

Sitting opposite each other, Francis was completely smitten with Violet. He fixed his eyes on Violet,

wishing he could stop the lapse of time, just to savor her good-natured company a little longer. For the

time they had spent together, Francis was impressed by just how well they got along with each other.

Even their likes and dislikes seemed to blend on most things perfectly. Most importantly, Francis was

very impressed by how they broached and tackled thorny issues with mutual understanding. Such a

rare gem, he totally fell in love. She was the kind of special woman for whom he'd give everything.

"Thank you for inviting me to have lunch with you. If it's possible, let me take you out next time," Violet

said.

"My pleasure. It would be my honor to eat out with you. May I have the honor to have dinner with you

next time?" The lunch hadn't even finished yet, but Francis was already trying to invite Violet to have

dinner with him next time.

"It is okay. Next time let me and Greg pay for the meal. And you will get a chance to know my husband.

He is a nice person," said Violet, smiling. From the bottom of her heart, she believed Greg was her

perfect man, and she would never change her love for him.

"Okay," said Francis, a bit embarrassed. He knew Greg was not only Violet's husband but also the man

whose love Cassie longed for with intense desperation. During his stay abroad, he had learned of

Greg's existence in Cassie's life. His cousin had fantasized about the man most of the time. Francis

remembered how Cassie's face would glow at the mere mention of Greg's name. And now Violet too

was just as obsessed as Cassie. The way her face lit up with a smile as she mentioned Greg told it all.

'What makes the man tick so easily with both ladies?' Francis wondered. Deep within, Francis began to

wish Greg didn't exist in both women's worlds. It would be great!

"How about going to the GR Group after lunch? You haven't seen Mr. Roger, have you? I can introduce

you to him," said Violet.

"Sounds good. Then I may have a chance to discuss some details about the investment with him,"

Francis agreed. It was the best of both worlds, as it offered him more time to hang around with Violet

while going about business as well. It couldn't be better.

"Okay, we can meet him after lunch," said Violet.

"Okay."

Straight from the restaurant, Cassie drove to XS hospital where upon arrival, she made a bee line for

Greg's office, instead of her own.

Without the courtesy of knocking, she casually pushed the door open and walked in, as if it was her

office.

There was a nurse putting Greg's books in order. Cassie's unannounced coming shocked her.

"Doctor Cassie," the nurse greeted her.

"Where is Doctor Greg?" Cassie asked, trying to keep her excitement under.

"He is removing a scar on the back of a patient's hand in the the observation nursing unit," said the

nurse.

"Which particular observation nursing unit?" asked Cassie. There were several observation nursing

units in cosmetology department. She must clearly know which specific unit Greg was in.

"The second unit, madam," the nurse answered, at which Cassie obligingly left.

The sun shone through the windows. Cassie was waiting for Greg at the door of the second

observation nursing unit. She had been standing there for two hours.

The corridor was dead quiet until the door opened, after a long while.

Instinctively, Cassie adjusted herself and looked to the door. She saw Greg walking out of the

observation nursing unit. Drops of perspiration rolled down his forehead. He was walking towards his Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

office while removing the mask.