Chapter 283: Mr. Cassius and Gemma’s Date
Outside the Frostspire Grand Lodge-
Colorful lights flickered, forming three glowing words-
GEMMA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
It was the kind of scene she had only ever seen on TV.
Stepping inside, she realized the path beneath her feet was entirely made of ice.
Encased within each block was a fiery red rose.
And as she walked, the roses bloomed.
Step by step, they opened under her touch.
It was breathtaking.
“So roses can be preserved like this?”
She was awestruck, covering her lips with her fingers.
The design was nothing short of brilliant.
J–Do
“Do you like it?” Cassius asked again.
“Like it? I love it!”
Gemma, like a child discovering magic, quickened her pace-
And to her astonishment, the roses bloomed faster.
When she slowed down, they opened more gently.
“Cassius, did you program this?”
He nodded.
“Just a little script.”
She bent down, inspecting the roses closely.
“But they look exactly like real ones. Has bionic technology advanced this much?”
Cassius smiled.
“They’re not artificial. They’re real.”
Gemma was stunned.
“So you can control living things now?”
Seeing it with her own eyes was an entirely different kind of shock.
If he could do this with plants, what about humans?
“Technology is truly astonishing.”
Cassiu: reached for her wrist, his grip warm and steady. “Come to my lab with me sometime. You’ll see much more.” Before, his research had felt abstract, just something impressive in theory.
But now, she wanted to see it for herself.
“Come on, let’s go ahead.”
The path of roses ended at a small wooden cabin.
Above the doorway, an unusual set of colored lights flickered.
As they stepped closer, the lights shimmered, breaking apart into countless tiny stars that drifted upward–
Until they hovered just above her head, like the constellations themselves had come down to surround her.
It was like stepping into a dream.
The door swung open.
Inside, the room was filled with presents.
Every single one had a small card attached.
She picked up a plush strawberry bear. The tag read-
“Happy 5th Birthday, Gemina.”
She froze. Then, hurriedly, she checked the other gifts.
One by one.
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Chapter 283: Mr. Cassius and Gemma’s Date
Each had a number. A year. A birthday wish.
Until the last one-
Her thirtieth birthday.
Thirty gifts.
One for every year of her life.
And none of them were random.
The gifts suited each age-
A baby rattle from the year she was born, complete with vintage charm.
A set of surgical scalpels for this year, the kind only top–tier medical professionals used.
It wasn’t just about buying gifts.
He had tracked down objects from each era.
Who knew how long it had taken him?
Her vision blurred as tears welled up.
“Cassius… thank you.”
Cassius, startled by her tears, panicked slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
He grabbed a tissue, quickly handing it to her.
“You don’t like it?”
In his mind, he was already preparing to exile Shawn for suggesting this idea.
Gemma shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
“No, no, I love it.”
“I just never expected… you’d go so far. That you’d make up for every single birthday I missed.”
The warmth that filled her heart was overwhelming, as if someone had finally restored something that had always been missing.
For the first time, she felt like she had the right to be spoiled. To be a little selfish. To have someone truly celebrate her.
“I’ve never received a birthday gift before.”
*Cassius, thank you.”
“You gave me back what I lost.”
She wiped her tears, laughing softly.
“So this is what it feels like. getting birthday presents. It’s really nice.”
“Thank you.”
Cassius’s eyes softened, a quiet light flickering within them.
“As long as you’re happy, it was all worth it.”
Gemma nodded firmly.
“Of course I’m happy
“And when your birthday comes, I’ll give you a present tool”
Cassius wasn’t the kind of man who celebrated birthdays.
His birthday was the anniversary of Evangeline’s death.
A day that only brought sorrow.
He never saw the point in marking it.
But…
Looking at her expectant face, something in his heart wavered.
Alright then fill thank you in advance.”
Gemma’s tears turned into a bright, teary smile.
“You’re welcome!”
Cassius tilted his head.
“Want to try skiing?”
Gemma had always wanted to, but she never thought she’d get the chance so easily.
“Can 1
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Chapter 283: Mr. Cassius and Gemma’s Date
“I don’t have any experience.”
Cassius smirked. “I do.”
She grinned.
Not long after, Gemma arrived at the ski site, fully dressed in gear.
Cassius was already there, waiting.
Because it was her birthday, the entire area was bathed in soft, colorful lights.
The glow reflected off the snow, making the whole scene almost otherworldly.
Amidst all that, dressed in black, Cassius stood out even more.
“Cassius!”
She struggled to walk over, gripping her ski poles for dear life.
She felt like she had completely forgotten how to walk.
Like a baby penguin
Cassius, with a small flick of his ski pole, glided over effortlessly.
She gaped at him.
“How do you make everything look so easy?
He chuckled. “You can do it too.”
Stepping behind her, he placed his hands gently
on her wrists.
‘Don’t rush. Lift your hands slowly.”
His voice was calm, patient.
His hands adjusted her movements with practiced
ease.
He was so tall, his arms so long, that in teaching her, he almost embraced her.
Gemma felt like the whole world had come to a standstill.
She couldn’t hear a word Cassius was saying, couldn’t see a thing he
was
doing.
All she could feel was his hands on hers.
He was careful.
Never once touched her skin.
And he never really held her, either.
But somehow, he found the perfect spot–not too close, not too far. Just enough to be respectful while still keeping her steady.
‘Did you get that?”
His deep voice brushed against her mind, sending a shiver through her.
She swallowed.
“I… I didn’t hear it.”
Truth was… she hadn’t been listening at all.
Cassius, unbothered, said smoothly, “That’s fine. I’ll explain again.”
Gemma, flustered, forced herself to focus.
*I’ll study so hard, you’ll think I swapped brains with a genius.”
Turning her face away, she took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
Trying not to make a fool of herself.
Cassius chuckled softly.
“Good
“Then tonight, I’ll make sure you learn.”
Gemma muttered, “Am I the worst student you’ve ever had?”
Cassius, holding her hands steady, murmured-
“You’re the only student I’ve ever taught.”
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