A Graduation Gift

Rufus might have been physically close to Amanda, but now to her, he felt so distant—he was there but he wasn't really there.

She gazed at Rufus's handsome face, feeling something break inside her.

It was clear to everyone now, not just Horace, that Rufus was avoiding Amanda.

Since he was a member of the Tang family, the very least he could do was be polite to Amanda who was a guest of Horace's.

However, Rufus could care less. He knew very well that Amanda was only here to make herself look good to his family. It was quite obvious that almost everyone else too knew.

In fact, Rufus had changed over the years and he'd stopped loving her a long time ago.

Suddenly, Rufus's phone buzzed—it was a message from Cassandra.

"I'm already at the Garden Villa. I'm okay. Don't worry about me," the message read.

Rufus's face broke into a smile of relief, something Amanda didn't miss.

It needed not be mentioned that Rufus lit up at the sight of Cassandra's message. And as for Amanda? She had bent over backwards trying to get a smile out of Rufus but to no avail.

Amanda scanned the table carefully looking at each person on the table as she racked her mind for ideas. Horace was growing old so he was obviously just interested in the benefits that came with her. Jill obviously knew nothing about music but she insisted on getting involved. Horace probably set her to this so Amanda could grow to like the family. And as for Lionel and Ivy…

Amanda had been secretly watching them and she realized that there was no love at all between the two.

She heard that Ivy had been having an affair with Lionel for years. Ivy tried to set Cassandra up by falling down the stairs on purpose and hurting her baby. She set this up so that Cassandra would get kicked out, making an opening for her to take Cassandra's place. But her plan failed miserably—even though Cassandra ended up divorcing Lionel, Lionel still didn't ask her to marry him. While she was living in the Tang house, she and Lionel weren't together legally. She must have been massively bitter.

Amanda watched them all closely before coming to a decision in her mind. She put on the fakest smile she could and said to Ivy, "Miss Luo, I heard that you majored in administration management in college. My office is short of hands now. May I have the honor to invite you to work in my company?"

Amanda made the offer to Ivy.

That was just too shocked for Ivy to comprehend what Amanda had said to her in a short time. She had been depending on Lionel since she graduated and never worked before. She had lived an extravagant life thanks to Lionel and probably she'd already forgotten all the skills she learned in college. Why did Amanda offer her a job? That was just too amazing!

Lionel had gotten so drunk the other night that he accidentally spilled his true feelings for Cassandra— that was how Ivy confirmed that he really didn't love her anymore so she wanted to have a plan for herself.

Lionel seemed to be impossible and she was in an awkward position with the rest of his family—they were too polite to ask her to leave. She was virtually Lionel's wife but she in

seem to mind. She was obviously well-liked among the Tang

had been with Ivy for quite a while now and he knew for a fact

to refuse Amanda's offer for Ivy but Ivy beat him to

always wanted to find a way to apply all that I've learned

She had no other choice but to work for

at a

along with Ivy and even make a job

man. Now that he knew Amanda still had feelings for Rufus, he would do whatever he could to help Amanda and Rufus get together.

who was no ordinary woman, was in love with Rufus; and Rufus

the entire meal. The conversation never lulled, though as everyone seemed to be in a light

in talking to her right now and she knew that it was all because of Cassandra.

after dinner, but Horace had another plan in mind—he

horrible headache, would you please be so kind

but in reality, Rufus really had no other choice but to oblige. As the master of house, if he was unable to see

have to bother,

said before Rufus could refuse.

been wearing the whole night

arrived at the

to talk to me. But I just want to tell you that I love you and I

were welling up in her beautiful eyes and

"I don't care,"

Rufus said coldly.

so many times now and she refused to listen. She still wouldn't let go of him so Rufus had no other choice but to set it straight even if it meant being harsh. He

be happy with one another and you loved me, didn't you? You loved me, I felt it. I know it in my heart, you loved me! You may have Cassandra but you'll realize soon that I'm just the better woman. I'll prove it to you. Rufus,

confident woman she usually was—whenever it came to Rufus, she just crumpled up like a pathetic

and Rufus loved her dearly, she would. The Rufus then wouldn't hurt her the way he was doing

had already changed, and things happened, he had fallen in love with another