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

defile me with your lips!" she shouted, dodging

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

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

legs, his phone rang. Lionel glanced at the ringing phone, and then looked at Cassandra in an obstinate manner. 'Who is this prick

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

misses you too. We are

phone sounded so sweet and soft, making him feel an inexplicable sense of guilt. His tone became

my way. Just finished work. I will be back

distraction, Cassandra flung open the door and ran out of the car as if her life was in danger. By the time Lionel realised she had escaped, she was already too far from

fleeing away like a chicken escaping

in a

to a brightly

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

getting out of the car, Cassandra also

she saw them walking in together, causing

to twist in knots, looking at the two

"Lionel, you are back."

And

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

that she had just provoked hadn't dissipated yet. He was still annoyed at the act she had pulled off. In contrast,

the scene, Cassandra strode straight upstairs, not giving a penny's worth

did not want to waste time with people she didn't care about.

as she watched Cassandra leave. Her smiling eyes suddenly turned sinister, a sense

a way to get Cassandra out of the

up. She reached

that Michelle Ling had invited her to

thought of the torn dress, but in the end,

had even helped her repair and return it for which Cassandra was very grateful. She had not expected Michelle to invite her to the auction after

she knew Michelle Ling's fame guaranteed a presence of top-shot, rich socialites and celebrities. It almost felt like

open and came in, panicking. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Manager... Manager Qin, something happened. Mr. Luo has asked you to go to the

figured it couldn't be a trivial matter. Quickly, she put away the invitation and

board of directors were sitting at the conference table, waiting. Rufus was there