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 room had their own axe to grind, their own agenda to pursue. The facade of jovial harmony was just a

vibrated. 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 stormed out of the room

are

called after him. He didn't expect Rufus to leave in such a

Rufus was already nowhere to be

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

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

growled within Cloris as she adjusted the

the corridor surreptitiously. He'd watched as David came out of the room, opened up an envelope

But what was Cloris doing here? What were the two of them

ear against the

thought. 'Should I break in to find out what

already caused trouble in Qin Group this afternoon, and Cassandra was pretty upset with me. What if the

feeling in his stomach. He was worried about

by the door, trying to figure out what to

you doing

face covered in a frown of displeasure.

Why was Rufus here? It seemed like more and more people were getting wrapped up

here on

excuse. Now, his curiosity was piqued

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

to break down the door of a

tried to

unfazed. There was no one in the

with as much ease as he'd banged down the door of the room.

Cloris's eyes

eyes slowly scanned the room, instinctively gulping as his eyes came to the naked body lying in bed.

rushed over, wrapping Cassandra

out," he said to Cloris, the words coming out like icicles piercing through her.

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

Cassandra to put her clothes back on, anger blazing

of Cassandra! How could

caring Cassandra was to Cloris. If she knew what Cloris had tried to

the rage from contorting his face as he thought about how unfairly Cassandra had been

to tell Cassandra about this, he

bedroom and closed the door behind him. Cloris was still in

Rufus