A Graduation Gift

With Lionel's eyes pierced at her, Cassandra felt uneasy as if she was sitting on thorns. Her eyebrows crossed as she averted her eyes away from him, pretending that he wasn't there.

"Since this was Lionel's first time to visit our home, why don't you show him around, Cassandra?" Vernon suggested.

He noticed the distant look and the uneasy treatment between his daughter and her husband. Suggesting something for them to do and let them spend some time together might make things different.

"Father, it's late. It's been a long day and I need to go to sleep now," Cassandra rejected without a second thought.

It was pitch dark outside and she didn't think it was a good idea to play as a tourist guide and give Lionel a tour around the house.

"Please don't bother. We would be staying here for long. I believe that Cassandra must be very tired and she needs to take a rest. It was rude of me to come over untimely. Please go back to sleep. I'm fine," Lionel said sincerely.

He sounded like a polite gentleman, which made Vernon nod repeatedly to show his agreement.

"All right, take care of your husband for us, my dear daughter. Good night!" Vernon didn't insist.

He stood up and smiled at Edith, and she knew what he meant. It seemed that they had a language that only the two of them could understand. They went back to their bedroom without any more words.

They thought that it would be better to leave the young couple alone.

Edith winked an eye at Cloris, implying her to go to her room too before she closed the door of their room. Lionel and Cassandra were left alone in the living room.

The moment his in-laws were out of sight, Lionel loosened the collar of his shirt and put on the expression that Cassandra dreaded the most. He extended his arms and suddenly grabbed her chin to force her to look into his eyes. His face was ablaze with rage and pure hatred.

"Tell me! What's wrong with your lips? Did someone bit you?" he asked in a low voice.

Cassandra felt suddenly cold and tiny shivers were running down her spine making her quiver. He fixed his eyes on her like a lion clenching his prey under his claws, ready to devour at any moment.

Cassandra's eyes dimmed and she bit her lips out of her instincts. Doing that, she managed to calm herself. The panic and tension in her eyes slowly developed into overpowering confidence.

She responded calmly, "Why did you take the trouble to come here at such a time? Knowing you? I don't think you're kind enough to put on a show in front of my parents. Seriously, I don't need it. I'm pretty sure you know what I mean!"

She felt awkward with any kind of body contact between them, despite the fact that they were married, but she was unable to get rid of his hold. All she could do was turn her face away from him, avoiding his fierce eyes.

so? Then can you just tell me how it feels to bring Rufus here? Tell me! Just tell me, my lovely wife! What was it like to cheat on your husband in your parents' house?"

the grinding of his teeth betrayed his

Am I not right, Lionel?"

see the rising anger on her face. Although she titled her head away from him, the disgust

fact that she kissed Rufus. This gave Lionel

an affair! I knew it!" he shouted

tempest

like that in her parents' house?"

having a casual chat with Lionel. He was careless but not insinuating. He was leaning comfortably against the wall, and there was a smile on his face. His

go of Cassandra right away. He stood up slowly from the sofa

second, they were

my business. It turned out that you're not only dealing with Tang Group for me but also looking after my wife. But let me remind you, Mr. Lou, that this woman is my wife, and please stop meddling into our marriage!" Lionel demanded. "Or, is it just that you have the preference of collecting other people's properties?" He

himself because they were inside the house of Cassandra's parents. To his dismay, his unkind remarks did not take

desperate that he wondered what was in Rufus's mind

of a sudden, Rufus raised his head and looked at him with the gloomiest expression he hadn't seen before. Lionel quivered at the sight of his eyes as if a bitter wind went through him. The hostility that Rufus was giving out now froze into his

as I want them." Rufus declared, leaving Lionel dazed and confused. "I find it ridiculous of you to talk about these things with me. Considering that all of us are aware

were stated clearly and stiffly as from a lawyer defending

at Lionel, who he had never allowed himself

this in front of him before. Nobody treated him as if he was a piece of shit. He felt ridiculed and angry at the same time because of everything about Rufus, the company and Cassandra. His mind was now blowing with different thoughts.

he said,

impression that he would throw his fists on Rufus' face. All he ever wanted, for now, was to

so. I'm sorry, Lionel, but what can you do with me!" Rufus said in no

was a sharp contrast between the two men, one was

side of the living room, Cassandra was burying herself in the sofa with a frowned face. She went curious as to what was going on between Rufus and Lionel. Their voices were inaudible that she wasn't able to hear their conversation. The peculiar atmosphere around her brought her heart beating wildly, and it was about to jump out of

on the verge of breaking out a fight. At the moment when Lionel lost control of himself and was about to

thought you were in the back yard!"

voice broke the tension between the

over to Rufus and put her hands

right? A promise is a promise! Look,

grips. He turned around and walked back to Cassandra after casting a warning glance at Rufus. He had