A Graduation Gift

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!"

because of those photos. He

years, he felt that the woman standing in front of him was

"Cassandra, I've underestimated you."

Cassandra and touched his chin,

there is nothing else, I should get back to my

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

we cooperate with each

turned to look at Lionel. She slanted her

"I don't understand."

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

been dreaming about a free life? I'm offering you an opportunity to seize your dreams. As long as you admit to an

ear, his lips curved in

out of instinct, eyes wide open as she stared at Lionel in disbelief.

with this idea? He was insane if he thought she would agree to his

nothing will happen to your family. You and I will get a divorce too. You'll be free to do whatever

on Cassandra and quirked an eyebrow, waiting for her

rife with tension as Lionel still stared at her.

true that what Lionel had just offered was what Cassandra had been dreaming of, the Qin family's safety, her freedom. But for some reason, achieving it

for one more second. You make me sick. Don't pull me into your fight with Rufus.

derision. Her dislike for him was evident on her delicate face.

acerbic words felt like a hard slap to

vindictive

two sentences had Lionel's eyes narrowing in rage. He caught Cassandra's chin in his grasp and glared at her, his

"What did you say?"

grew harder. She gnashed her teeth together as she felt the sharp ache in her jaw. However, she still lifted her eyes to him daringly, doing her