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.

able to catch 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 facade of jovial

the other end of the

are

He didn't expect Rufus to

nowhere to be

began to set it up. Her plan to take Cassandra's

she sneered to herself. 'Well, just you wait. I'll post these nude photos online and everyone

growled within Cloris as she adjusted the camera one last

as David came out of the room, opened up

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

door he had just exited. He pressed his ear against the door, hoping to hear what was going on inside. But it was

I do?' he thought. 'Should I break in to find

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

couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling in his stomach. He was worried about

figure out what to do, someone suddenly appeared

are you doing

bellowed, his cold face covered in

taken aback. Why was Rufus here? It seemed like more and more people were

here on business,"

Now, his curiosity was piqued

anything. He turned to the door instead, testing the lock before thumping the door loudly with his

How was Rufus able to break down the door of a five-star hotel room with so much

Lionel tried

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

over and opened the door with as much ease as he'd banged down the door of the room. Cloris looked up at him as he burst in, dumbfounded, the camera

Cloris's eyes were wide

gulping as his eyes came to the

wrapping Cassandra up in a quilt.

he said to Cloris,

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

helped Cassandra to put her clothes back on, anger blazing through his

Cassandra! How could Cloris hate

Cassandra was to Cloris. If she knew what

from contorting his face as he thought about how unfairly Cassandra had been treated by

was better not to tell Cassandra

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

this never happened," Rufus said,