A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was starting to get more and more anxious and uneasy as the minutes passed. She had a strong feeling that something very bad was about to happen.

Clearly, the women in front of her were here to cause trouble. 'Stupid! How stupid I was to believe that they could actually be serious about buying the place, ' Cassandra thought with regret.

"Give me the phone and get out, now!"

Cassandra demanded. She looked at the two with firm authority. The two shameless women did not scare her.

"Wow, take it easy, will you? We only came here to see the place. Is that the proper way to treat your customers, Miss Qin? By driving them away?"

Amanda scoffed. What's done is done. All she wanted to do was to intimidate Cassandra and show her what she was capable of. So what if she looked like some uncivilized tramp? Her image was the least of her concerns. Right now, she was happy for as long as Cassandra was irritated.

"You know very well why I must treat you this way. I don't have to remind you of what you just did and the real reason why you're here. I will not say this again: Get out, now!"

Cassandra raised her voice sternly with a frown. Then, she waited for Amanda and Ivy to do as they were told. However, the two only exchanged knowing looks but still did not back off.

"Or else, what? I'm curious what you'll do about it," Amanda said mockingly. "I know what you're planning. You're going to Rufus, right? You'll cry your heart out and tell him that his fiancee scratched you. But here's the thing: Do you think he'll believe you without proof?" she continued.

A sinister smile was on Amanda's face. Arrogance filled her as she was sure that there were no witnesses. It would be Cassandra's word against hers otherwise.

Just then, the door was suddenly opened. Against the light, they saw a tall, well-built man walk into the room.

"Of course I will believe her," said a cold, calm voice.

It was Rufus. With a furrowed brow, he threw a cold, judging look at Amanda and Ivy. But when he turned to Cassandra, suddenly, it turned to concern and reassurance.

"Sorry, I'm late, Cassandra,"

he said to her gently. He was informed by his men that Cassandra was going to entertain interested customers in Lyndsy's studio that afternoon. But then, he also received news that Amanda was going there with Ivy.

Unconvinced that they were really interested buyers, he hurried over without a second thought. His anger shot up overhearing what Amanda told Cassandra when he arrived; he would never have expected the Amanda he knew, with her pure and innocent front, would say those were words.

The moment he came in and saw the two women standing in front of Cassandra and the latter with scratches on her neck, everything immediately made sense.

His heart sank, partly because he worried about Cassandra, and partly because he hated himself for ever believing in Amanda.

"Seems that I have been too nice to you, Amanda,"

said Rufus as he approached her. Amanda was now very pale. She trembled as she had never heard Rufus talk to her this way.

"She started it, I swear!"

Amanda blurted, pointing at Cassandra. Naturally, the real culprit would be the first one to point fingers at others. Amanda was no exception. Clearly, she wanted to pin it all down on Cassandra.

really? Do you have

Amanda said with a grain of salt.

him how we were

urged in great anxiety, pulling Ivy by the arm. She was doing really well, looking like a pure and innocent lamb, which was very different

only to check out this place, and yet, she kept provoking

face terrified her. In her panic, she shrank nearer to Amanda as soon as

happening?' This was not part of her plan. She had wanted to get the two women to fight so that she could profit from their conflict. Never did she expect Rufus to

She didn't know what to do! Oh, how she wished she could just slip out

gaze on Ivy when he heard her

troubles ever since she was still in the Tang family, ' he thought. Back then, Rufus paid her no attention. Never did he imagine that

that correct? Did he

turned a blind eye to this matter, but now, he was determined to teach Ivy a lesson.

at him, stunned. A flicker of fear flashed on her

meant to say. He knew something and he was not

brother to approach Cassandra's father before he went on his trial? He asked him

towards Ivy while his gaze became even more intense.

respond but no words came out. His words and his eyes sent shivers down her spine. Her whole body clenched and she was unable to move.

to press my buttons. You did such a good job giving the woman I love a hard time. Was it because you

his dark eyes. Ivy was still frozen

at

his life. But now that he actually took her side and she was seeing him protect her right

to get out of my face. I

ordered, raising his voice and pointing to the door. If looks could kill, Ivy

foot, Ivy shuffled and rushed out without another word.

Moreover, he knew so much of her secrets. She dared not

now on, she was determined to avoid this dangerous man. His anger was so strong that it could be felt

alone and

"I can explain, Rufus..."

tried to say something but her words were met with contempt on Rufus's

straw. Stop pretending to be innocent. I've had enough

not going to believe any word that came

in his eyes filled Amanda with despair which quickly turned into defiant

asking, "Why, Rufus? Why couldn't you just believe in me and take my

she was still

this

His eyes were still cold. There was no light in them. He had

her, and now you're