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.

to ask her to leave. She was virtually Lionel's wife but she in herself knew that

on Amanda's good side which Amanda didn't seem to mind. She was obviously well-liked among the Tang

while now and he knew for a fact that all Ivy knew were clothes, make-up, and gossip. There was no way she would survive working

offer for Ivy but Ivy beat

I've always wanted to find a way to apply

a sweet voice, bowing her head slightly. She had no other choice but to work

was at a loss for words.

along with Ivy and even make a job offer

a woman always get her way when chasing a man. Now that he knew Amanda still had feelings

woman, was in love with Rufus; and Rufus would

himself the entire meal. The conversation never lulled, though as

because of Cassandra. However, she maintained her happy demeanor and forced herself to chat with everyone. Everyone else seemed to be having a good time.

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

I'm nursing a horrible headache, would you please be so kind as to see Miss Ke out

oblige. As the

bother, Mr. Luo, but

before Rufus could

the whole night to

at the courtyard, Amanda

to tell you that I love you and I always have, even after all these years. I've

Rufus. Tears were welling up in

"I don't care,"

Rufus said coldly.

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 needed to do that so she

do this to me? We used to 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

and wore a sad smile. She was no longer the confident woman she usually was—whenever it came to

the past when they were young and Rufus loved her dearly, she would. The

had already changed, and things happened, he had fallen in love with another woman. Their time together