A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 33

When his secretary finished, Lionel squinted his eyes, moping.

His secretary knew the relationship between Cassandra and Lionel. Lionel, who had stamped with rage, now suddenly became quiet. He stood there, pulling his vexed expression together. He didn't say a word because he seemed to have something on his mind.

"When, exactly?" he asked.

Lionel barely made it to the sofa by the French window, then plopped his tired body onto it. It was impossible to guess how he was feeling because his voice had gone soft.

"8 o'clock tonight,"

the secretary replied. Now she finally had the courage to lift her head to look at Lionel, but cautiously with fear.

Lionel asked no more. He stretched his arms to both sides of the sofa. He seemed to think deeply about something or even be contriving some sort of plot.

The night was especially dark. But as a white Bentley drove to the airport, neon lights lit up the roadways, and the whole city sparkled and dazzled with life.

Cassandra had been notified to get into Rufus's car when she got done with work. She got in and sat in the back seat with him. She didn't have time to change out of her business suit into something more casual.

On her lap was a mess of business files. She read them, straining her eyes, using the lights outside the car to help her read. She squinted a lot to catch key words. Rufus had fired the relevant staff. Since she was not involved in this project, she now had to fit herself in and get familiar with the case.

Rufus relaxed beside her, looking dashing as always. He fixed his gaze on Cassandra, who was quietly absorbed in the documents. He didn't disturb her. He just sat there, watching her quietly.

She seemed to sense his burning gaze, so she lifted her head. When their eyes met, she felt an immediate, irresistible palpitation of her heart.

To break the uncomfortable gaze, she darted her eyes to view the scenery outside the window. 'Why can't I focus when Rufus is sitting next to me?' she thought.

"Are you afraid to be with me on a business trip?" Rufus blurted out.

He couldn't help but inch his body closer to her. His low, magnetic voice lingered in her mind, making her heart beat faster.

"Not at all. It's just a business trip," she answered.

She tried desperately to erase the panic from her face, to make herself look fearless. Subconsciously, she started to rub her hands on the documents in the files.

"Don't waste your time reading those. Just ask me anything you want to know,"

Rufus's voice boomed. His presence was very powerful wherever he was, not to mention in such a small car. Cassandra let out a long-held breath at his words. She wished silently over and over that he wouldn't approach any closer.

The night wind tickled her face as it blew through the rolled-down windows. She closed her eyes to enjoy the gentle touch and grew sleepy at its hypnotic rhythm. Rufus reveled in watching her obvious bliss and didn't say a word. Though a faint smile secretly creeped onto his lips.

In a magnificently decorated presidential suite, a man and a woman were lying on a dark red king-size bed. The constant seductive groans and grunts were endearing for a while. But the playful noise had given way to breathless silence.

"What's going on? You seem very distracted,"

said Ivy, who was lying cradled in Lionel's arms. Tonight, Lionel seemed especially agitated. He seemed to need to blow off some steam.

"I doubt that Cassandra is having an affair with Rufus," Lionel said.

His eyes heavy with anger, Lionel remembered that Cassandra was going on a business trip with Rufus this evening. He suddenly broke out in a gust of anger he couldn't hide.

As Ivy looked at the expression on Lionel's face, her eyes began to brim with curious, radiating vigor. Then she said playfully, "Are you jealous? To be honest, Cassandra is really good at this kind of thing. Rufus just joined the Tang Group and she has already hooked up with him."