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.

the tension that hung above the room. But looking around, everyone in the room had their own axe to grind, their own agenda to pursue. The

He took it out and answered. Muffled voices could be heard from the other end of the line. And suddenly, his face fell and he

are you

He didn't expect Rufus to leave in such a hurry.

was already nowhere to be

the hotel, Cloris took out her camera and began to set it up. Her plan to take Cassandra's nude

to try and molest me, Cassandra, ' she sneered to herself. 'Well, just you wait. I'll post these nude photos online and everyone will be able to see your

she adjusted the camera one

had been hiding in 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

must have a hidden agenda. But what was Cloris doing

David left, Lionel snuck up to the door he had just exited. He pressed his ear against the door, hoping to hear what was going on inside. But it was deadly

he thought. 'Should I break in to

and Cassandra was pretty upset with me. What if the two sisters are just having a regular date...there is just no reason for me to go in.

in

the door, trying to figure out what to

you doing

face covered in a frown of

It seemed like more and more people were getting

on

an excuse. Now, his curiosity was piqued

testing the

speechless. How was Rufus able to break down the door of

Lionel tried to stop

no one in the living room, but the

of the room. Cloris looked up

is Rufus doing here?' Cloris's eyes were wide with disbelief.

as his eyes came

rushed over, wrapping Cassandra up in a

said to Cloris, the words coming out

couldn't believe she'd been caught red-handed. She didn't want to make the whole situation worse, so she dragged her feet out of the

put her clothes back on, anger

had been planning on taking nude photos of Cassandra! How could Cloris hate

If she knew what

his face as he thought about how unfairly Cassandra had been treated by her family since she was a

tell Cassandra about this, he

bedroom and closed the door behind him. Cloris was still in the living room; trembling with fear, her face pale. Lionel stood beside

We'll pretend this never happened," Rufus said, trying to contain