AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 49
CASSIE
Cassie headed to the bar, taking a quick look around the lobby for any sign of Leo, but he was nowhere to be found. The room had a crystal chandelier and Chesterfield armchairs. She squeezed around clusters of people and found an open table next to an antique fireplace in the corner. It resembled a Victorian drawing room, but the heavily flocked wallpaper and the blazing fire were oppressive in such a small space.
The waitress arrived, and she ordered a glass of club soda. Pulling her phone out, she scrolled through text messages. She slipped her glasses on to read.
“Cassandra?” a man asked.
She looked up. Malcolm stood there wearing a friendly smile, different from the man seated across the table from her and Leo.
“I want to apologize to you. We got off on the wrong foot. May I join you?”
Leo had warned her to avoid any private conversation with Malcolm. Maybe she was doing it out of spite against Leo for taking off, but Malcolm had just apologized, and they were in a public space. She could handle this.
“Okay.” She put her phone away.
Malcolm settled himself across from her. “Where’s Leo?”
“He had to make a call. He’ll be back soon.”
“I’m sure he will.” Malcolm gave her a bland smile. His gaze shifted to her left hand. “That’s a magnificent engagement ring.”
She twirled the ring around her finger. “Thank you.”
The waitress returned with her club soda, and Malcolm refused a drink.
She took a sip, waiting for him to get to the point. She placed the glass on the table and followed his gaze to her diamond ring again.
“Is there a problem with my ring?”
Malcolm looked her straight in the eye. “It belonged to my grandmother,” he said in barely polite tone.
“That’s what I was told.” Alexander wasn’t bothered by her wearing it, but Malcolm was. It probably had something to do with his dislike for Leo.
“It was supposed to be mine. I’m the oldest son.”
“Oh?” Leo’s words about never taking the ring off made sense. He must have anticipated Malcolm’s reaction. Was Leo baiting him on purpose? Cold realization coiled up her spine that something was wrong. She took a deep breath to calm herself, turning the ring around her finger.
Malcolm sat still, doing that same staring contest he did with Leo. It was creepy as hell.
“What do you want?”
Malcolm drew in a long breath. “I have no quarrel with you, Cassandra. Your father and I might be competitors, but it’s none of your concern. I’m here because I want to give you a friendly warning.”
“About what?”
“Leo. He’s not who you think he is.”
Now it was her turn to remain quiet. If he had something to say, he’d better do it soon, otherwise she would leave.
“I know about the Crete property,” he said, flicking a piece of non-existent lint off his tuxedo jacket.
For God’s sake, did everyone know about the property?
“What about it?” she asked.
“From what Leo told me—”
