A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 30

The photos were taken under dark light. In the night shadow, the two figures seemed to be standing close and gazing at each other with affection in their eyes. Cassandra bent down to pick up the evidence of her offense. She tried to act composed in front of Lionel.

"These photos were taken on the same day you graduated from Sapienza University in Rome. Didn't you tell me you didn't know Rufus before? Then how is it possible that you and he showed up on the same cruise?"

Lionel's lips twisted in disdain, his anger barely restrained. He had gotten hold of these photos by accident. Apparently, on the day of Cassandra's graduation, Rufus had been with her.

They had known each other for a long time, and his wife lied to him about it!

However, Cassandra knew nothing about when these photos were clicked. She had been drunk that night and could not remember what she had done until she became sober.

She had no idea Rufus was on the cruise that night. As for the photos, she didn't know how they were taken and by whom. She wasn't even aware they existed till now.

"Cassandra, you better explain this to me!"

At her prolonged silence, Lionel grew more and more furious. His sharp, cold eyes were locked on Cassandra's face as he forced her to answer his question.

"There were a lot of guests on the cruise. I didn't know that Rufus was there. As you can see, these photos were taken from that angle on purpose. And even if he was on the same cruise, I swear I didn't meet him that night,"

Cassandra said unemotionally. She wasn't nervous or flurried at Lionel's harsh voice. He couldn't intimidate her. She slowly lifted up her chin and looked at Lionel defiantly, adding, "If you don't believe me, just wait for Rufus and ask him face to face. Or you can make this a bigger issue and tell your father that Rufus and I are having an affair. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

The expression on Lionel's face turned inscrutable at the sarcasm in her words. Cassandra was clearly threatening him. She didn't believe that he had the courage to do just as she said.

"Cassandra, do you really think I will believe your words?"

Lionel wasn't a fool. He knew that whoever was behind the camera took these pictures on purpose. However, it didn't change the fact that Cassandra and Rufus had met each other in Rome.

"You've never believed me though, have you? No matter what I say, it is all futile because you never listen to me. I have nothing to say about these photos. You can investigate them if you like. You and I are married, Lionel, in case you forgot. Hate me as much as you like, but please don't use me as a tool to help you get rid of Rufus!"

Cassandra had never been as rational as she was now. She could see things clearly: Lionel wasn't mad at her because of those photos. He didn't care that it put their marriage at risk. He just wanted to find an excuse to remove Rufus from the Tang Group!

Lionel stared at Cassandra with his mouth open, surprised. For the first time in years, he felt that the woman standing in front of him was smarter than he thought. The ghost of a smile hovered on his thin lips.

"Cassandra, I've underestimated you."

Lionel decided to come clean. He stepped closer to Cassandra and touched his chin, staring at her with interest.

"If there is nothing else, I should get back to my work."

Cassandra didn't want to talk to Lionel anymore. She whirled around as soon as she finished speaking, ready and eager to leave. However, the very next second, her arm was caught by Lionel. She gasped in surprise.

"Cassandra, how about we cooperate with each other for once?"

Lionel stopped her in her tracks. Perplexed, Cassandra frowned as she turned to look at Lionel. She slanted her pretty eyes at him.

"I don't understand."

She dropped her head and looked at Lionel's hand which was still grabbing her arm. She shook it off, feeling disgusted.

Lionel slowly stepped forward and leaned over her shoulder. "Haven't you been dreaming about a free life? I'm offering you an opportunity to seize your dreams. As long as you admit to an affair with Rufus, I promise you I will provide you with whatever you want. You will be free as a bird,"

he whispered in her ear, his lips curved in an evil smile.

Cassandra could feel his hot breath caressing her skin. She stepped back out of instinct, eyes wide open as she stared at Lionel in disbelief.