A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 199

Lionel was livid over the decision to make Arthur the next spokesperson. He was severely upset, which was why he snapped at Cassandra that way. However, when he saw Cassandra's face fell, Lionel held his tongue back.

Cassandra didn't deserve to be yelled at that way. She wasn't even at fault. Lionel glanced around him and immediately regretted saying those words. There were plenty of people, including some government officials, who were looking at them. It was such a humiliating situation.

Ivy immediately echoed before Lionel spoke something to defuse the tense situation, "You broke Lionel and me. And now, you're ruining Miss Ke. It makes me wonder where you found the audacity to keep ruining people's lives. Why don't you just stay away and leave us and the Tang family alone? Your father's already rotting in jail and he deserved it. That alone should be reason enough for the Tang family to refuse you. Don't even try to blame the Tang family on your family's misery!"

Ivy knew Cassandra's weaknesses well. She cursed her with everything she could come up with. Cassandra was incredibly upset that her knees started to buckle, composure and strength seemingly vaporizing out of her.

From the eyes of the people who didn't know or barely knew Cassandra, it seemed to them that she was a gold-digging succubus that would use her men to get ahead.

After she divorced Lionel, she immediately clung herself to Rufus. It looked like she played tricks behind everyone's back.

All the people looked at Cassandra disdainfully. They absolutely despised her. Cassandra was so upset at Ivy's words that her body started to tremble with anger.

"It's been a particularly long time since I was a member of the Tang family. Why are you looking at me like I had something to do with your failures? I haven't done anything to you. Don't you dare accuse me!"

Cassandra bit back. Her retort, however, easily fell on deaf ears because everybody was already having the bad impression of her.

The onlookers started to whisper and belittle her. They didn't care about the severity and the consequences of what their gossiping would lead to. The spectators were hungry for drama and they were just about to eat a handful of it.

"Don't you dare try to spin this on me, you harlot. You're not as innocent as you think you are, don't play the fucking victim. Jesus Christ, I know everything you've done behind our backs. It's a good thing that I'm kind to you. I wouldn't tell other people about the atrocious things that you've done. Let's focus back on today's topic, shall we? You tripped me, and I demand an apology from you."

Ivy was being aggressive. When Lionel was there supporting her, she became bolder. She would never let Cassandra go that easily.

"Tell me, Ivy," Cassandra started. "Why the hell would I apologize for something I haven't done? You wronged yourself and went out of your way to frame me. I will not apologize to someone as despicable as you!"

Cassandra spat. There was absolutely no way that she would ever apologize to such a snake! Witnesses be damned, Cassandra knew she was innocent.

"Everybody, look! Look at her! This is Vernon's daughter! Purely like father, like daughter. Dishonorable little shits!"

Ivy turned around to face the people and spurred their attention. Vernon's criminal action was a joke to everyone in the field. Everybody equally despised him. What was his daughter trying to do all alone, defeating the powerful Tang family? It was absolutely impossible. Only dreams could help her achieve that goal.

Cassandra watched as Ivy used the crowd to get to her, and slowly, she could feel her ears ringing. It was high-pitched and loud, and Cassandra quickly shook her head to dispel it.

"Don't you dare insult my father. The court has already given him a fair trial. To err is human. He's already realized his mistake, and is paying for it in jail. He has had time to reflect while in jail. However, there are occasions where the court simply couldn't give a fair trial. Someone knows what you have done. Do I have to remind you what that was? Fabricating a charge against the wrong person, or even premeditated murder!"

Cassandra gritted her teeth and squeezed the words out slowly, spitefully, one by one.

Ivy had framed her for the death of her baby; a plot that Cassandra knew was made by Ivy all along.

Cassandra said so, in order to remind Ivy that she knew of the truth. She didn't bother to reveal it to the public because she wasn't an attention-seeking monger like Ivy.

Ivy suddenly felt a bit guilty upon Cassandra's speech, knowing that Cassandra was right. She had intentionally taken some medicine and killed her own child before the accident. Then she decided to pin it on Cassandra by luring her onto the second floor and throwing herself down the stairs. Ivy was certain that her plan was foolproof. She never expected that Cassandra actually knew everything.

Suddenly, a tall man appeared from the crowd. He had forced himself through and walked straight to Cassandra. The man then stopped beside her, and looked over at Lionel. It was Rufus.

"What are you doing, Rufus? You are a member of the Tang family. You are not supposed to stand by an outsider's side!"

Lionel shouted angrily. He raised his chin at Rufus and provoked him on purpose. He didn't believe that Rufus would speak mean words to him openly! They were brothers, after all.

Rufus's eyes darkened and he cast a cold glare at Lionel and Ivy. He hadn't even begun showing his true anger, but the people were starting to get scared.

"I'm not taking sides. I only support whoever is being reasonable. You want to know if Cassandra tripped Ivy? That's easy. There're so many cameras here in the lobby. Go and get the video footage and the truth will speak for itself. If you insist on making her apologize, we can go and check the video to confirm it. However, I don't think you'd like that, huh?"

Rufus cooly replied. He didn't shout, but his speech was clear enough to be heard by everyone.

Ivy's face immediately paled.

"O-Ouch! Lionel, my head is aching. I want to go home now,"

Ivy frowned and closed her eyes as she held her fingers against the temples of her head.

"What? A headache? How come all of a sudden? Don't worry, dear. Let's go home now,"

Lionel replied, voice tense. He quickly held Ivy in his arms and comforted her.