A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 21

"She's my wife!"

Lionel completely lost his temper as he saw that Rufus had saved Cassandra from embarrassment yet again.

He had borne a grudge against Rufus ever since the man came into the Tang Group. Lionel could not believe that this man - a bastard - had taken his place, and every intimacy between Rufus and Cassandra reminded him that he was being replaced. Rufus couldn't fool him. Lionel believed that his brother coveted his wife.

"Careful, Lionel. Don't forget where we are,"

said Rufus with a faint smile. Compared to his seething brother, Rufus radiated calm. Lionel understood the subtle warning.

This was in the Tang Group, and Rufus was his superior. The icy silence between them seeped through the office, as the brothers sat with their eyes locked on one another.

"Lionel, did you forget about our lunch date? Let's go before the cafe gets too busy!"

The tension was broken with the graceful appearance of the woman, who laid a hand on Lionel's shoulder. Her eyes grazed automatically over Rufus, and she smiled slyly.

Rufus met her gaze for a second. "I have some businesses to discuss with my subordinate," he said as he nodded to Cassandra, "so I'm afraid we'll have to leave now. Hope you have a good day, my vice president."

Rufus looked in Lionel's eyes as he accentuated the words 'vice president'. Then he turned his eyes to Cassandra.

Understanding his look, Cassandra followed Rufus as he left the room. Humiliated, Lionel slammed the door shut behind their retreating figures.

"How did I do?"

Rufus stopped suddenly and turned to Cassandra. Still revelling in the pleasure of putting Lionel in an uncomfortable position, Cassandra didn't notice that Rufus had stopped walking. She nearly bumped into him. Rufus smirked.

It took Cassandra a moment to realize what he meant. When she realized, she turned her head away to hide her grin.

"No one in the company knows the relationship between Lionel and me."

Cassandra's voice betrayed a touch of insecurity, and Rufus suddenly felt the urge to protect her. He knew she must being going through a difficult time.

"I do."

Looking up, Cassandra found that the grin was gone from Rufus' face, and he was gazing straight at her with an intensity that made her heart beat faster.