A Graduation Gift

A slight smirk of triumph hung on Horace's mouth. Rufus knew he must have a trick up his sleeve.

He had intended to leave Rufus and Amanda alone in the living room so that sparks might start to fly between them.

But he was mistaken. While Lionel was faultlessly obedient to him, Rufus would never allow himself to be ordered about.

Rufus stood quietly, his eyes never leaving Horace, watching for his next move.

"Miss Ke, I'm so sorry to have missed your last concert. I was feeling quite under the weather. I heard it was a great success, congratulations,"

Ivy exclaimed. She hoped her enthusiasm would hide her dismay that she had in fact, not been invited to the concert.

"Oh, that's fine. Thank you, Mrs. Tang." Amanda said. "I have decided to settle down in G City. Holding concerts is only minor; but it's imperative when it comes to running a piano school. Actually, I want to discuss the construction project with you, Mr. Luo, in the coming days. When do you have time?"

Amanda tilted her head in Rufus's direction, waiting for his answer.

"Lionel is in charge of this, not me,"

Rufus answered indifferently, his face expressionless.

And he wasn't lying. It was Lionel who had signed his name on the contract and was responsible for this project. Rufus did not want to get involved at all.

Amanda was stunned. She knew very well that Rufus was deliberately trying to keep her at a distance.

"From what I've been told, Lionel is busy. He is already responsible for several projects in the tourism industrial area,"

Amanda continued, keeping up the pressure. She felt bad as Rufus rejected her in front of others, but she didn't want him to feel any animosity from her. Clearly, winning his heart back would take more patience.

"Well, speaking of Lionel. Why hasn't he come back yet? Ivy, have you called him and let him know we have a distinguished guest waiting and he should hurry back?"

Jill who had been watching the group obsequiously suddenly realized that Lionel had yet to return although it was already dark.

"Maybe he is still busy with his work,"

Ivy made an excuse. She had called Lionel several times, but he hadn't answered. She grew anxious, not knowing what he was doing.

"Miss Ke, my wife is a fan of yours. She has enjoyed all the music you play,"

Horace tried to change the subject, buttering Amanda up with his sweet talk.

Jill gladly joined in, eager to discuss her 'newfound hobby' with Amanda after cramming for piano music recently.

Horace had told Jill that Amanda had a good relationship with the government officials in G City, but stayed quiet about the investor's expectations. He was hoping that she could put in a good word for them. Jill and Ivy complimented Amanda desperately; while Amanda just smiled, throwing shy glances over to Rufus from time to time.

everyone in the room had their own axe to grind, their own agenda to pursue. The facade of jovial harmony

and answered. Muffled voices could be heard from the other end of the line. And suddenly, his face

are you

expect Rufus to

was already nowhere to be

took out her camera and began to set it up.

to herself. 'Well, just you wait. I'll post these nude photos online and everyone will be able to

growled within Cloris as she adjusted the

the corner of the corridor surreptitiously. He'd watched as David came out of the room, opened up an envelope stashed with money and walked

knew David must have a hidden agenda. But what was Cloris doing here? What

door he had just exited. He pressed his ear against the door, hoping to hear what

he thought. 'Should I break in to find

What if the two sisters are just having a

feeling in

by the door, trying to figure out what to do, someone suddenly appeared before him.

are you

covered in a frown of

aback. Why was Rufus here? It seemed like more

on business,"

out an excuse. Now, his

disbelief but didn't say anything. He turned to the door instead, testing the lock before thumping the door loudly with his fist. The door swung

looked on, speechless. How was Rufus able to break down the door of a five-star hotel

rushing over. Lionel tried to stop

walked straight into the suite, unfazed. There was no one in the living room, but the

the door of the room. Cloris looked up at him as he burst in, dumbfounded, the camera still in her

is Rufus doing here?' Cloris's

his eyes came to the naked body lying in

wrapping Cassandra up in a quilt.

the camera and get out," he said to Cloris, the words

been caught red-handed. She didn't want to make the whole situation worse, so

helped Cassandra to put her clothes back on, anger

been planning on taking nude photos of Cassandra! How

Cloris. If she knew what Cloris had tried to do to her, she would be heartbroken.

help the rage from contorting his face as he thought about how unfairly Cassandra had been treated by her family since she was a child.

tell Cassandra about this,

the door behind him. Cloris was still in the living room; trembling with fear,

Rufus said, trying to contain the anger in his voice.