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.

Cassandra let out a grunt and

lips!" she shouted, dodging away from him.

he hollered,

through his veins as the atmosphere in the

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

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

misses you too. We

sweet and soft, making him feel an inexplicable sense of

on my way. Just finished

as if her life was in danger. By the time Lionel realised she had escaped, she was already too far from

away like a chicken escaping from a slaughterhouse.

cursed in

reached home to a

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

right when he was getting out of the car,

downstairs, she saw them walking in together, causing

looking at

"Lionel, you are back."

wrap her arms around him. And as she did that, she rolled her eyes at Cassandra who stood a few

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

at the scene, Cassandra strode straight upstairs, not giving

want to waste time with people she didn't

eyes suddenly turned sinister, a sense of crisis rising inside her

couldn't go on like this. She had to find a way to get

faces of these unpleasant people around her, the next morning she decided to leave before everyone else got up. She reached

Michelle Ling had invited her to participate

the end, she knew it was her own fault.

Ling's beautifully designed gown the way 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

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

as he spoke, "Manager... Manager Qin, something happened. Mr. Luo has asked you to go

matter. Quickly,

there too,