A Graduation Gift

Despite Cassandra's frightened expressions, Lionel chose to ignore her fear completely.

His hand stroked Cassandra's cheek, making her frown. She tried to slide away under his fingers, her eyes deeper than before.

"I don't mind doing anything in the car..." Lionel said while his finger lingering over her face down to her neck.

Cassandra evaded his touch, disgusted. She was growing impatient and simply wished to escape his company.

She remained silent but her body language was enough to indicate how much she hated Lionel's touch.

"Do you really hate me that much? Just a while ago when Rufus was here and you were standing so close to him, you didn't seem to mind it at all. What's the matter now?" Lionel said, grumpily.

He fumed with jealousy and her disgusted face made him even more angry.

"We were just talking about business. Rufus has been working overtime for the company's sake for weeks now. Today, he just happened to come over and ask about the progress of the project. It's just work, don't make a fuss about it," Cassandra snapped, annoyed.

Suddenly, Lionel grabbed her jaw and made her look at him.

"Talked about business, is it?" I dare you to look me in the eye and say that. Say it! What's so great about that Rufus that you keep defending him? He's nothing but a lowly bastard trying to get his hands on our family money. That's why he came back. He's no more than a worthless bug in my eye," he spoke through clenched teeth, letting go of her face with a jerk.

Cassandra kept looking at him, fearless.

Lionel stared back at the staunch frankness in her eyes and wondered what she had to say for herself.

"Lionel, I'm telling you once and for all today, you have no right to speculate on my relationship with Rufus with your prying eyes. Not everyone's like you. If you have the balls, show me some evidence. If you don't have any, stop slandering me!"

Cassandra's tone heightened as she scolded him, her face maintaining a constant look of disdain.

Lionel squinted, thinking, 'Rufus, Rufus! How affectionate.'

Undisturbed by Lionel's aggression, Cassandra stood calmly like a fearless martyr.

'What magical charm does Rufus possess that makes Cassandra defend him like that?' Lionel wondered.

Unwittingly, his eyes moved to her dark eyebrows, closed and lush red lips, and that stubborn expression on her adorable face, all of which tempted him to act upon his lust for her.

Lionel leaned in closer and closer to almost press his lips to hers. He wanted it so badly to crush the resistance she showed towards him, the defence she gave for Rufus and her courage to talk back to him, with his kiss.

enough, Cassandra let out a grunt and tried to stop

your lips!" she shouted, dodging

advance! Cassandra's words enraged Lionel so much he hollered,

rush through his veins as the atmosphere in the car intensified because of the attacking and

ringing phone, and then looked at Cassandra in an obstinate manner. 'Who is

and pick up the phone. Sure enough, as he had guessed, the call was from Ivy.

miss you, and the baby misses you too. We are waiting

sounded so sweet and soft, making

my way. Just finished work.

his distraction, Cassandra flung open the door and ran out of the car as if her life

chicken escaping from a slaughterhouse. Annoyed, he put the

in a

he reached home to a brightly

of their bedroom, watching Lionel's car pull up the front yard. She patted her own face gently and prepared to greet him

getting out of the

them walking

stomach started to twist in knots, looking at the

"Lionel, you are back."

to wrap her arms around him. And

quick! Come in. It's so cold outside. You must be very

Cassandra. The anger and desire that she had just provoked hadn't dissipated yet. He was still annoyed at the act she had pulled off. In contrast, he

the scene, Cassandra strode straight upstairs, not giving a

she was tired and did not want to waste time with people she didn't

Cassandra leave. Her smiling eyes suddenly turned sinister, a sense of crisis rising inside her like a wave.

couldn't go on like this. She had to find a way to get Cassandra out of the

her, the next morning she decided to leave before everyone else got up. She reached the office very early and was met with a

opened it hastily, and found out that Michelle Ling had invited her to participate in a

torn dress, but in the end, she knew it was

supposed to be carried. After everything, Michelle had even helped her repair and return it for which Cassandra was very grateful. She had not expected Michelle to invite her to the

rarely participated in these events, she knew Michelle Ling's fame guaranteed a presence of top-shot, rich socialites

His voice trembled as he spoke, "Manager... Manager

Cassandra figured it couldn't be a trivial matter. Quickly, she put away the invitation and headed straight for the meeting

was there too, seated with his hands together against his chin, his dark eyes looking down,