A Graduation Gift

Ivy was astonished at what Lionel said just now. She froze in place. It was as if someone threw a bucket of ice water on her, which instantly doused the burning desire she had for him.

'When it comes to our sexual life, Lionel has always been so active for so many years. He has never, ever refused me like he just did today. What is wrong with him?' She thought to herself.

After she finished that trail of thought, she felt even colder than the moonlight outside the window.

It was the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, which was also known as the Lantern Festival. Horace, Lionel, and Rufus went out to the concert so it was only Jill and Ivy at home.

The two women spent the night talking, where Jill mostly comforted Ivy and told her to take better care of herself. She also mentioned that the Tang family was prepared to compensate her abortion that was caused by Cassandra.

Even though deep inside she was still very anxious, Ivy was trying her best to stay behaved and sensible. She simply nodded along and agreed with what Jill said.

"I love Lionel. Nothing else matters," Ivy said sincerely.

'I know that Jill loves Lionel best among her family. For as long as I can show her that there is nothing more important to me than Lionel, she would definitely see me as the most suitable wife for her son, ' Ivy thought.

Since she came back from the hospital, Ivy felt that everyone in the Tang family had changed their attitudes towards her. Though it was not obvious, she could feel it.

Ivy never hesitated to go after Lionel after he divorced Cassandra. However, it felt strange that she seemed to have to walk on eggshells with the Tang family.

It was common for someone who had nothing to lose to dare to do anything. Ivy was like that. Since day one, she had nothing but the baby in her womb. She had no choice but to frame Cassandra in causing the abortion. If she failed, she would rather die and took Cassandra down.

But, this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. Cassandra had divorced Lionel and left the Tang family. 'My long-cherished desire for many years is about to be fulfilled. This is my chance. I must seize this chance to get what I want, ' Ivy thought. 'But somehow, it feels like it is much more difficult than I've imagined.'

Originally, Lionel was the President of the Tang Group, and he was being groomed to be the successor of the company. However, the position was now occupied by Rufus and it seemed that he had taken Lionel's place.

When Lionel and Cassandra were still married, Horace actually appreciated his daughter-in-law. Rumors had it that the father and son actually argued about the divorce. Lionel took the divorce settlement to Cassandra and asked her to sign her name on the contract. He did it behind his father's back so that the divorce went through in the end. Horace found out after it was already done.

There was no use for Horace to stop the divorce. He knew his words would no longer sway them so he turned a blind eye.

Then, Ivy had moved in with the Tang family since she became pregnant with Lionel's baby. Jill liked her because Ivy did all she can to flatter her.

Ivy thought that Lionel loved her very much. However, as they grew closer, she gradually discovered that he was strongly possessive of Cassandra and actually wanted to win her heart. She knew she had to do something about the situation. This led her to gather the strength to abort her own baby and framed Cassandra. The loss of his baby caused him to lose his mind. In anger, he asked Cassandra for a divorce without thinking. Ivy justified her action by thinking that 'If I haven't done like this, they'd still be married and I'd be nowhere near being Lionel's wife.'

Her goal was now within her grasp. She was the one sharing Lionel's bed. Then, in a drunken stupor, Lionel said that he was actually in love with Cassandra. This shocked Ivy.

what he said that much. She only hoped that Lionel would marry her

him by fondling his back, showing her desire. Surprisingly however, he bluntly refused her. What did

Not long after, his breathing became steady, which signified that he

she could read his mind. But

for seven years. Are we going through the seven-year itch? Are we going our separate

never allow this

much for him already. It's impossible to

would do anything to become Lionel's wife. No matter

shined coldly on the couple in bed before it hid itself among the

miss the clock hitting midnight so he drove his car as fast as he could, checking the time every now and

at the end, he gave a sigh of relief upon seeing

prepared everything in the courtyard, pushed the door

since Cassandra came to live there, she had

in the Tang family house. Of course, all chores there were done by servants. Knowing that he lived in a house cleaned by her hands, Rufus felt

was! The television was on, but the volume was very low. The light shined on the her face. The shadow was changing but she kept her calm and beautiful face all the way.

the sofa, leaned

him coming in. She must have

at the Decoration Material Mall this afternoon. Cassandra was so tired that she slumped into a chair and struck her legs and waist. A hint of concern then appeared in

on me. She would

very much fascinated by her charm and I think I'm deeply in love with her.' He then lowered his

and smiling eyes

asleep!" Cassandra exclaimed.

to stand up. Since she slept in an awkward posture, her legs were already numb. She almost fell to the ground the

powerful arms caught her and pulled her into a warm and

head and she heard a deep voice say, "This is my house. But seeing your

and panic. Faced with this, she was so ashamed that her face began to turn

late I fell asleep,"

arms. A pitiful feeling was obvious in her words.

am. I hurriedly came back because I want to be with you," Rufus replied softly.

his watch and saw that the 10-minute

and carried her to the bedroom like

and thought, 'How could he do this? He just came