A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 79

Ivy's sarcasm could be felt throughout the room. Jill, in the meantime, continued watching TV, unfazed by the scene unfolding around her.

Cassandra clenched and unclenched her fists, tempering her anger. Her lips curled into a disdainful smile.

"Well, even when you do give birth to the baby, you will still be nothing but a mistress," she hissed.

This wiped the smile right off of Ivy's smug face. Cassandra had to admit that Ivy's audacity did not surprise her. It seemed that the world was littered with such wretches already.

She watched Ivy's face darken as animosity welled up in Ivy's eyes.

Ivy was well aware of the terms that she had agreed to: she would give birth to the baby and immediately hand it over to the Tang family, after which she was to leave the country and never return.

She bet, not only her future but also her baby that she was going to win in the end.

She was confident that Lionel loved her more than he did his wife, and this was her most powerful bargaining chip. She was also banking on Jill's dissatisfaction with her daughter-in-law who tended to be stubborn and overbearing. These gave her hope. Ivy was willing to sacrifice everything for the chance to be part of the Tang family and replace Cassandra.

Her best years had been devoted to Lionel whom she had loved for the longest time. Handing him over to another woman now was the last thing she could ever do.

Walking towards the main lobby at that moment was Lionel who entered afterwards. He caught a glimpse of Cassandra and his eyes immediately lit up.

Her days in the hospital did not seem to make her tired or weary. On the contrary, it was as if she glowed with life.

The white dress she was wearing suited her so well that it almost felt as if it were part of her.

Cassandra smiled when she spotted her husband carrying a pile of baby products.

Never had she imagined to see him like this and the sight amused her.

As Horace came out of his study, he gave Cassandra a warm smile. He was happy to see that she was home.

"Are you feeling better now, Cassandra? I asked the cook to prepare your favorite silverfish soup for dinner. It will be great for your health as well!"

Upon hearing this, Jill sprang up from the couch. She turned to Ivy with a motherly smile fixed on her face.

"Ivy, I ordered the silverfish specially for you. They are fresh and just got delivered here this morning. As an expectant mother, you need more nutrition and they are great for you. I will also remind the cook to use less salt. Eat as much as you want," she said.

Although Jill was speaking to Ivy, Cassandra knew that the words were meant for her. Ivy felt a glow inside her, feeling more confident about her position in the family compared to Cassandra, because she had Jill on her side.

With an equally warm grin, Ivy walked to Jill and twined her arm into the older woman's. She even went as far as to lean her head affectionately on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Aunt Jill, for being so considerate and caring of my health. I am sorry that the rest of you have to compromise for my taste," she said.

Jill looked at Ivy and rubbed her back tenderly.

"You are carrying the eldest grandson of Tang family. Who else but you would deserve such a special treatment?" Jill replied tenderly.

Even Horace, who was usually oblivious to such things, noticed the tension among the three women in the room.

It was the battle of three women—looking at the other two who were clearly in alliance, Cassandra was left alone.

During the course of this conversation, Rufus returned. With keen perception, he took in the situation as soon as he entered the room. Jill and Ivy were standing close together while Cassandra looked like a deer in headlights. His spear-like eyebrows shot up.

It took less than a second for him to read the sorrow on Cassandra's face, and his anger at Ivy rose. He knew what she was capable of, but the blatant disrespect to Cassandra with Jill's affection filled him with outrage. This woman had no shame.

As much as he desired to help Cassandra, he knew it was not his place. She had to fight this on her own.

In the end, it was Horace who broke the tension. With a deliberate cough, he addressed his sons, "Lionel, Rufus, come to my study."

Happy to escape the room, Lionel eagerly handed the items he was carrying to a servant and walked briskly to his father's study.

Rufus's gaze lingered on Cassandra. As he walked past her, he whispered, "Find yourself an excuse. Don't come to dinner tonight."

Before Cassandra could reply, Rufus has already disappeared.

He was right. With those two women in the house ganging up against her, it would be futile to fight fire with fire which would only drain her. Plus, this battle did not interest her.

As Jill and Ivy grew closer, Cassandra experienced nothing but turmoil being part of the Tang family. Thus, she felt that it was best to keep a safe distance.