The Manipulated Villainess

"What did Aston say?" Nathan asked Cassandra who just finished talking with Aston on a phone. He became more curious when he noticed the little smirk on her face.

"Just something fun." Cassandra Lim simply responded. She gave a quick thought and take out her phone.

"Hello, Mr. Jung. This is Cassandra Lim."

"About the task that you offered to me, I will do it."

"Yes. Then what about tomorrow just before dawn?"

"Don't worry. I assure you that my men won't fail."

"Alright. I'll inform you when it's done."

Cassandra Lim puts down her phone and noticed that Nathan was still staring at her with a confused face. "Are you up to something dangerous?" He asked her.

The Moyan Boss simply smiled and puts her phone in her bag. "I thought that it will be but it's not anymore." She replied.

Nathan let out a sigh. Just what was she talking about?! After remaining quiet for a while, he finally asked, "Who is that on the phone?"

"The Prime Minister."

Nathan raised a brow. "Are you working for him?" He asked, stupefied.

"He had a good relationship with my father," Cassandra replied. She really wished to not talk about her father as it was cruel for Nathan. He shouldn't ask her about this too much. "I know you're curious but I just finished discussing with Aston. I think it will be better if you hear it from him."

Nathan Woo understood how she felt and he nodded. "Alright. It seems like you have some work early in the morning. We should go."

* * *

At Aston's apartment, Nicole and Aston were talking with Shara and Leon through a phone call. The phone was set in loudspeaker mode and was placed on the small table.

"Are you confident with this plan? If not, I'd rather continue living this way. This is too high of a risk." Shara's voice echoed in Aston's apartment. 

"Don't worry, Aria. We will be very careful and Peter Jung won't find out about this. You should trust me and Leon." Aston assured his wary sister.

"Aston is right," Leon spoke up. "But why did you refuse to tell us who the person is? Why did my father held her hostage and use it against you?" Leon thought that it was strange. If their plan went well, they will find out who the hostage was very soon. Would it cause any harm if she tells them the truth now?

Shara who was still sitting in the secret room under the villa nervously clenched her fingers. "You will know it later but please, keep this in mind. For me, this person's life matters than mine. Even if things go wrong, make sure to save her. I will take care of myself."

Aston didn't talk against his sister's words but he was more than determined to not let her be in danger. He promised himself that he will save both his sister and the person whom she cherished than her own life!

* * *

When dawn arrived, Cassandra and two of her most trusted men, including Jaxon were already standing in front of the Blackhood base. Then the gate was opened and Shara appeared with Leon and Ryan. Walking towards Cassandra, Leon halted when he was just a step away. "I bet you already heard about me from Aston. I'm Leon Jung, the current leader of the Blackhood." He introduced himself.

Cassandra Lim observed the world-renowned potter standing in front of her. She already heard about him from Aston last night but she still finds it hard to believe it. Wasn't he one of the best potters not in just their country but even the world? Besides, this seemed like a war between a father and a son!

Then she realized that one thing she heard about the Blackhood was right. The Blackhood members were hard to identify because many of them also worked a normal job and blended themselves in the society as average people. This famous potter was one example.

"I'm Cassandra Lim. It's nice to meet you," she finally said. Until yesterday, she had never once that there would come a day when she would exchange introduction with the leader of the Blackhood! Even now, it still didn't seem real at all.

Leon briefly looked at Shara before he turned back to the Moyan Boss. "She is someone very important to me. Can I trust you with this?"

Cassandra's lips curved into a little smile. "If I'm not trustworthy, Mr. Jung, do you think that Aston Kang will let me do this?" What Nathan told her last night crossed her mind and she glanced at Shara. "Normally, I never get involved in this type of plan. But I only want to repay my debt."

Nathan had told her how Aston encouraged him to follow his heart. She heard that Aston's advice played an important role and thanks to that, she finally had the chance to get back together with Nathan Woo. She was grateful for that. Just like Nathan said, she might not be kind-hearted like Nicole but she always repaid kindness with the same.

Leon knew that Cassandra had a point and he nodded. "You're right. I will trust you." He said and turned back to Shara. "Trust us and stick to the plan. I won't let anything happen to you."

Shara nodded and just when she was about to go to Cassandra, Leon holds her hand and hugged her. "You should take care of yourself. If anything happens to you, I won't forgive my father."

"Don't worry," Shara said in a calm voice. "As long as his hostage is safe, I can protect myself. I'm capable of that."

"Alright. I already promised you that," Leon muttered and pulled back. Forcing a smile to make her feel better, he holds her hand until Cassandra take her with her.

"Young Master, will she be okay? She is returning to your father's side and it seems like he has full control of her." Ryan worriedly said to Leon who was staring at the car which Shara rode.

Leon stared at the car until it was out of his sight and muttered, "I hope so."

* * *

"Your father always said that though you're a woman, you're capable enough to succeed him. I think I finally know why he was always so confident in your ability." Peter Jung said to Cassandra who was sitting on his right. The sun had just risen and they were in the Jung family mansion. Shara was also sitting quietly on his left.

"It's not easy but not impossible," Cassandra said. She knew that she had to behave as if she rescued Shara from the Blackhood base with much difficulty. Otherwise, Peter Jung will have suspicions. "The Blackhood are more skilled than I thought, Mr. Jung. I almost make a mistake by belittling them." She remarked.

The Prime Minister laughed at her comment. "They will be trained well than you thought. Anyway, you succeed and that's the only thing that matters. So, as I promised, I will make sure to pay you handsomely."

"I think I'm lucky. I managed to create some trouble for our sworn enemy the Blackhood and I even get paid for that. I should thank you for giving me this chance," Cassandra said and lightly chuckled.

The Prime Minister nodded with a smile as he was completely convinced by the acting of the Moyan Boss. If he knew Aston and Shara's relationship, he won't be this easy to fool considering the actor's ties with the gangs! Aston's involvement didn't even cross his mind!

After a few casual chat, Cassandra left the Prime Minister's house, leaving just Peter Jung and Shara behind. Peter Jung turned his head to Shara and the latter quickly rose from her seat.

"I went through quite a lot to bring you out from that damn base." The Prime Minister said in a cold voice. "Why didn't you attempt to escape? Is that person's life not matter to you anymore?"

"That's not the case," Shara promptly replied. "My legs were chained. It's impossible for me to leave."

Peter Jung wasn't that convinced but when he narrowed his eyes and saw the marks in her legs caused by the chains, his eyes flickered. Did his son really allow to do that to her? Maybe he finally changed his mind about this woman!

"Do you say anything to him?" He asked.

Shara briefly turned away before she shifted her gaze back to him. "You know I can't do that. Besides, Leon won't listen to me even if I attempt to tell him. For him, I'm a traitor."

Peter Jung thought of the night his son ordered his men to drag Shara out and locked her up in the base. The anger on his face, the pain of betrayal on his eyes; he doubted that it would subdue easily. So, he had a feeling that Shara was telling the truth.

"Now that Leon hates me, the person you held is my only reason to live now. So, let me see her, Master. After all, I was locked up for a few days. I have to know that you still trust me and keep your promise even while I was locked up." Shara said when she noticed that the Prime Minister was believing in what she said.....