A Graduation Gift

"She's my wife!"

Lionel completely lost his temper as he saw that Rufus had saved Cassandra from embarrassment yet again.

He had borne a grudge against Rufus ever since the man came into the Tang Group. Lionel could not believe that this man - a bastard - had taken his place, and every intimacy between Rufus and Cassandra reminded him that he was being replaced. Rufus couldn't fool him. Lionel believed that his brother coveted his wife.

"Careful, Lionel. Don't forget where we are,"

said Rufus with a faint smile. Compared to his seething brother, Rufus radiated calm. Lionel understood the subtle warning.

This was in the Tang Group, and Rufus was his superior. The icy silence between them seeped through the office, as the brothers sat with their eyes locked on one another.

"Lionel, did you forget about our lunch date? Let's go before the cafe gets too busy!"

The tension was broken with the graceful appearance of the woman, who laid a hand on Lionel's shoulder. Her eyes grazed automatically over Rufus, and she smiled slyly.

Rufus met her gaze for a second. "I have some businesses to discuss with my subordinate," he said as he nodded to Cassandra, "so I'm afraid we'll have to leave now. Hope you have a good day, my vice president."

Rufus looked in Lionel's eyes as he accentuated the words 'vice president'. Then he turned his eyes to Cassandra.

look, Cassandra followed Rufus as he left the room. Humiliated, Lionel slammed the door shut behind

"How did I do?"

Lionel in an uncomfortable position, Cassandra didn't notice that Rufus had stopped

took Cassandra a moment to realize what he meant. When she realized, she turned her head away to

knows the

Rufus suddenly felt the urge to protect her. He knew she must being going through a difficult time.

"I do."

was gazing straight at her with an intensity that made her

you know

could be honest with him. No one else knew the relationship between Lionel and her, so she should be able to continue working at this company as if nothing had happened.

Since you and I have

faint smile was playing on his lips again, and Cassandra feared that if he got any closer, he would be able to hear her

remembered that they were in the workplace, and took a few steps back, in case

you can't do

as he had her backed

deeper into her eyes. Then all of a sudden, the playful expression