A Graduation Gift

"I forgot to mention, this cottage belongs to my friend. It hasn't started serving officially yet. But, you can stay here tonight and be the first guests. I believe it will be an exotic experience."

Amanda snapped her fingers. A steward approached her and bowed.

"Miss Ke, is there anything I can help you with?"

His politeness was impeccable. He clearly seemed trained very well for this job.

"Ready the best room for Mr. Tang and Miss Luo. They are going to spend the night here post dinner."

It seemed like Amanda knew this place and the staff very well.

"Okay, Miss Ke."

The steward bowed again before he exited the dining room. Amanda finished the last piece of steak on her plate and stood up, saying, "The atmosphere here is quite soothing. Though it may not be as good as the most famous shore cities, it has a feeling of its own. If you still want any more food, feel free to ask the steward to prepare it for you. I will excuse myself, now. Good night. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Tang."

She shook hands with both Ivy and Lionel, then waved them goodbye, walking out.

As she stepped outside the place, Amanda turned back to glance at the cottage. Her smiling eyes turned to squinting.

'Ivy, don't blame me for being too cruel. This is how the real world works—the more powerful ones prey on the weaker ones. Unfortunately, you are too weak to be a predator, so take this chance and be my prey, ' she thought smugly.

Lionel and Ivy still sat at the table. It had been forever since they had dinner together. They gazed at each other in awe in the flickering glow of the candle light, feeling the unprecedented charm of the other.

Ivy's alluring red lips were slightly parted. Her eyes seemed to twinkle like stars.

"Lionel, you might be getting really tired these days. I noticed you don't even sleep in late like you used to."

Just like the dinner, it had been long since Ivy said anything caring or empathetic to Lionel. He felt some warmth emanating from her voice.

"Yeah...the tension between Tang Group and Dawn Star Group has heightened to another level. I cannot afford to relax."

As soon as he mentioned business, he recalled Horace's disappointed face whenever he looked at him. Almost immediately, the elation was replaced by depression.

work with you in the future. I don't like to see you

hand toward his, clutching it

slender, with nails painted rose-red. Looking at her hand, Lionel

face, and instantly fell into musings

showering. When she came out, her long hair,

her own reveries too. Both found the world around them fading, turning into the lovely past they had shared with each

they might as well have felt a fire

their trance, the steward walked into the restaurant and reported in a respectful

had been waiting for. They got up, and still

was quite spacious and very carefully designed. The interior was genuinely tasteful

steward politely asked for his leave and closed the door behind him as he walked

world of their own. They continued to

the shore, as if they were telling some old

heavy head. She could barely make her eyes open.

the sounds of torrents, which

cheeks turning pink. The night she had spent with Lionel played

her eyes. A man lay next to her with his sturdy and stout back facing

sleep, slowly waking up. His mumbling voice sounded unfamiliar. Finally, he

shock! The man

"Ah!"

screamed, utterly

recovered from his daze and

What is that reaction supposed

had a neat face, but his smile

are you? How did you

head started to spin. It felt like the entire world

together and then dozed off about

cocky smile remained which only

the night with my

Ivy was horrified.