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.

Do

He knew now that he had to take everything Amanda said with a grain of salt. As it turned out, she had been hiding her true self from him this whole

Tell him how we were treated by this woman,

arm. She was doing really well, looking like a pure and innocent lamb, which

true! We were here only to check out this place, and

side. Still, Rufus's grim face terrified her. In her panic, she shrank nearer to

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

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

Ivy when he heard her

family, ' he thought. Back then, Rufus paid her no attention. Never

heard that your brother was let out. Is that correct? Did

eye to this matter, but now, he was determined

flicker of fear flashed on her face.

knew what Rufus meant to say. He knew something and he was not afraid to use it.

who sent your brother to approach Cassandra's father before he went on his trial? He

a step closer towards Ivy while his gaze

words came out. His words and his eyes sent shivers down her spine.

I never thought you'd manage to press my buttons. You did such a good job giving the woman I love a hard time. Was it because you thought I wouldn't make you pay

Ivy was still frozen under his cold,

on the other hand, felt her heart break at Rufus words when he

her that Cassandra was the love of his life. But now that he actually took her side and she was seeing him protect her right before her eyes...It all just felt too real and it hurt. It tore apart

get out of my face. I never want to

pointing to the door. If looks could kill, Ivy would have been

from head to foot, Ivy shuffled and rushed out

a very intimidating man. Moreover, he knew so much of her secrets. She

His anger was so strong that it could be felt even

alone and helpless. She

"I can explain, Rufus..."

say something but her words were met with contempt on

pretending to be innocent. I've had enough of your lies and deception,"

was not going to believe any word that came out of her mouth

his eyes filled Amanda with despair which quickly turned

"Why, Rufus? Why couldn't you just believe in

answer would hurt, but she was still unwilling to give up until she heard

many times. But this

There was no light in them. He had no emotion, no

chosen her, and now you're