Melissa walked past George without hesitation and headed straight for Lillian.
She wrapped her arms around Lillian in a tight hug. “Your work is even more amazing than I imagined!”
Lillian, for once, showed a rare, genuine smile. “Didn’t you say you’d be coming later?”
“I had to pick up your graduation gift first.” As she spoke, Melissa pulled a gemstone bracelet from her bag. Each stone was a different color. “I’m giving you the Rainbow.”
Lillian was taken aback. “Isn’t this your latest flagship design?!”
“Giving my most cherished design to the person I love most-that’s always been my guiding principle in jewelry design. No waste!”
The moment she said that, George, who had been standing behind her, suddenly froze.
A memory from eight years ago surged into his mind.
Back then, he had returned to his alma mater as an honored graduate. After delivering his speech, a young Melissa, still in her school uniform, stood before him, her face flushed with nervousness.
To George, she had always been just the little girl from a family they had long been acquainted with. He barely had any distinct memories of her.
“I made this myself. This knot symbolizes luck and hope. I hope you’ll accept it!”
She had been bold enough to look him directly in the eyes, her gaze filled with light.
At the time, he assumed it was just part of the school’s gift-giving tradition, so he accepted it with a casual smile.
As for that gift? He had tossed it onto the backseat of his car without a second thought.
He had quite a few cars, and like many other rich kids, he had a habit of collecting things-limited-edition sneakers when he was younger, and luxury and custom-built cars when he got older.
So naturally, he had no recollection of that gift.
It wasn’t until after they were married, when Melissa finally moved into his room, that she blushed and asked him about the present she had given him back then.
He had absolutely no memory of it. He simply asked, “What gift? Did I even receive one?”
The way her face turned pale that day… contrasted sharply with how indifferent she was now.
It felt like fate had shot a bullet, only for it to boomerang right back at him.
“That’s strange… Where’s Conrad?” Melissa glanced around at Gordon and the others, lowering her voice.
Today wasn’t just the exhibition-it was also graduation day. A major event.
And Conrad was the biggest sponsor of the day.
There was no reason for him to be absent. Who else was supposed to present the awards to the winning students?
Hogan frowned. “What’s going on? He’s still not here? Didn’t he say he wanted to take an official photo with Lillian on stage today?”
They had even teased him about it before. Three years of being together, and not a single photo?
Unbelievable.
Conrad had scoffed at them for taking pictures with just about anyone, saying that he preferred to wait for a meaningful occasion. “That way, the photo actually means something.”
But now, at the crucial moment, he was nowhere to be seen.
This was completely unlike him.
In reality, Conrad had already set out for the venue.
But on the way, he received a call from Fox.
“Say that again. What do you mean she’s missing?”
Fox’s voice was filled with anxiety. “Chloe said she missed you. She hadn’t seen you in a long time and thought you didn’t like her anymore. Last night, she told me she was going to sleep, so I stayed with her. I planned to take her to the amusement park today. But when I woke up this morning, she was gone from the estate! Even her little wallet is missing. She probably took it and went out to find you.”
Conrad’s face turned ice-cold. “And you’re just standing there?! Have you checked the security footage?!”
“Chloe has lived in the estate since she was little. She knows every inch of it. The last security footage of her was at 2 AM last night. After that, there’s nothing.”
That place was remote, and the kid was running around-she could easily encounter bad people or all sorts of dangers!
Conrad glanced at his watch. “What the hell were you doing?! You can’t even keep an eye on a child!”
He hung up the phone abruptly. “Get to Maple Mountain Villa!”
******
“It’s time, Lillian! Get in here!” Jack, the judge for the event, called out as he saw Lillian still standing outside with her group. He quickly urged her to enter, as she still had to go on stage and present her design concept.
Lillian gathered her thoughts and handed her phone to Melissa.
“Good luck!” Melissa cheered her on.
“I’ll do my best.” She had worked so hard to get this far; she had to give it her all.
Lillian turned and entered the auditorium.
Under the spotlight, she was so stunning that it was hard to look away.
No wonder people often said that beautiful women made it difficult to notice their true abilities-because, with such beauty in front of them, people would focus on her face and overlook her talent.
Gordon and the others, as special guests, sat in the front row. But the most important seat was still empty.
Even after Lillian finished presenting her work, she glanced down, but the man still hadn’t shown up.
She suddenly remembered that last night, he had promised her that he would witness the moment her work came to life.
She realized that she didn’t feel much at all. Not even a hint of anticipation or regret.
The applause was thunderous as she bowed gracefully to the audience, remaining in her position for a long time before finally straightening up and leaving the stage.
Years later, the award ceremony that day became a topic of endless conversation among H University alumni.
It was the day the internationally renowned director, who had once been a student at H University, won her first grand slam awards-but astonishingly, she didn’t show up to accept them. She only took her graduation certificate.
Even in the final group photo, she wasn’t present.
It became a historical moment at H University-one that no one could forget. The only person to take home the Best Story Award, Best Cinematography Award, and Best Animation Award… all in one go. It was a unique achievement.
******
Conrad was still out searching the mountains and fields when he finally received the long video and photos that Hogan and the others had posted in the group. Because of the poor signal in the mountains, he was getting increasingly frustrated, looking for better reception.
When he finished watching the videos, a smile had unconsciously spread across his face.
“Well deserved.” Even Lionel, known for his sharp tongue, had given such a compliment.
Conrad felt like Lionel was complimenting him. “Of course.”
Hogan couldn’t help himself and sent a voice message. “The graduation group photo is coming up, and all the diplomas have been handed out. The prize money you provided was quite generous.”
Conrad replied, “This is nothing. Doesn’t H University’s top student deserve to get it? What’s wrong with you? Why haven’t you sent me the photo of Lillian accepting her award?”
Hogan was speechless. “She told the school she wanted her award turned into a scholarship so that students who are pursuing their dreams can apply for it themselves. She didn’t need it.”
So, Conrad’s money was fully turned into a school scholarship.
“Fine, it’s hers anyway.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered investing in it.
He didn’t care about the reputation.
“What about her?”
“Uh? She probably went to the bathroom.” Hogan was at a loss for words. “Am I supposed to follow her around all day?”
“Tell her I had an emergency. She probably didn’t see my message because she was on stage.”
Conrad had never reported to Lillian before. But now, he was anxious that she might not see his message.
Soon after, his phone lost signal, and Conrad grew more agitated. He ordered the search to continue.
Where could such a tiny girl possibly go?