A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 186

"No way! I'm not interested in hearing your side of the story," Cassandra said defiantly.

Immediately and with such determination, she laid down her case. Cassandra felt herself gaining strength and boldness, each day of her separation from this man she detested.

She hated to admit that this man had caused a lot of damage. Cassandra was so innocent when she met Lionel. During their arranged marriage, they just could not seem to get along with each other. His hatred and her resistance drifted the two further and further away. She had never been afraid of Lionel's threats before, and would never allow them to affect her in the future.

"You don't want to know what's happened, do you?" Lionel said, with a smirk on his arrogant face.

He was quite surprised, as he looked for that familiar curiosity in her eyes. Casandra no longer fell for his mind games. Sitting like a blueprint in front of her. He had become so obvious. The years of reading his every action had made her extremely perceptive. The repulsiveness sat in her throat when she looked at him.

"I do, but I trust Rufus more and will believe what he has told me. Your information is normally fragmented in lies and concealment," Cassandra said coldly.

Cassandra took a deep breath and looked at Lionel calmly. She no longer felt anxiety and had no pit in her stomach. How wonderful it was to be free of his bondage.

She wondered why Rufus hasn't told her everything. As she pondered, she realized, he was protecting her. He was a caring man, always putting her well being first. These two brothers couldn't have been any more different, even if they tried. Lionel was just a critically hard man. He could not commit, and had no loyalty.

Lionel had his teeth clenched, seething with annoyance. Cassandra had been pushing him lately. He was going to make them regret their relationship. If he couldn't have her, neither could his brother. He always believed he was better. Thinking he had to prove his point, in everything he did. 'We will see about that.' Anger rose up within him.

His thoughts flickered back to their marriage which only lasted about five years. 'Did she ever trust and believe in me as she believes in Rufus. How is that possible?

What on earth has Rufus done to win over her trust? Could he have promised her shares in the company? Is he after her company. I don't know, but I'm going to find out. How dare he just walk in here and take over. He must have been manipulating her heart. He is so smooth, yet arrogant as hell. How can that self-righteous prig think he's better than the rest of us!' Lionel thought.

"Do you think you should believe in a man, who seduces the wife of his younger brother?"

Lionel sneered scornfully. A contemptuous look crept over his face.

"Lionel, listen, from now on, you are not welcome here. You are not to put a foot into my company. I've had enough of your nonsense, to last me a lifetime. I don't have to listen to you anymore. I need nothing from you. You have lost nothing here. I don't mind you slandering me, in fact I'm used to it. Not Rufus, he has always picked up and fixed your mistakes. I'm no exclusion. Without him, the Tang Group would definitely not be what it is today and would have been overshadowed by the Dawn Star Group, I am not exaggerating. What he has achieved is astounding. If you were half the man he was, you would go a long way. I don't care what you say, or what your intentions are. You never took into account how I felt before. Rufus and I are together. We respect each other, we work well together, and we have each others back. We don't have the sick, unhealthy relationship that you are thinking in your filthy head."

Cassandra looked right into his eyes. Her thoughts flew to Rufus whom she wanted to share a meaningful life with. Did Lionel ever have any of those values? She couldn't help shaking her head.

During their marriage, he brought his pregnant mistress into their home. The unscrupulous two showed their affection openly in front of her, this went on for many months. The horror show, finally became too much. Ivy confronted Cassandra, and toyed with her emotions. She deliberately put on a show tumbling down the steps and miscarrying her bastard child. The blame rested fair and square on Cassandra.

Rufus, was the only member of the Tang family who cared about her. She tried to put up with them in respect for Rufus. Cassandra just hoped the Tangs would unite. The Qins were segmented all over, and had no way of becoming a family again. Her heart longed for something she could call her own.

She did not want them to share the same tragedies as the Qin family. The brothers never spoke too much in the house. Rufus apparently kept a distance with his father as well. And Jill, was never fond of Rufus to begin with. Cassandra felt bad for him as she believed deep in her heart that he did not deserve all these treatments.

Michelle had once spoken to her about the importance of family to Rufus. Being raised by his mother under hard conditions, he had become tough and strong. In her days of sickness, Rufus had grown up into a more indifferent person. What would happen to him if the Tang family had broken down?

Michelle told her,"Rufus has been longing for love and the warmth from a complete family, he won't admit it though." Thinking of what Michelle said, Cassandra felt like been torn apart. Although she had yet been told much about Rufus's past, she knew that her beloved man had suffered and lived a hard life.

He still had a family, with parents and a half brother. Not that they were close, but she wanted the best for him. She never wanted to separate him or bring anymore pain into his relationships. Cassandra was well aware of what it meant without love, support, and care from family.

"Not the filthy way as I think? How do you know what I am thinking?" "How do you know in what way I see you?" said Lionel with a darker face, clenching his teeth.

He changed from his relaxed posture into sitting up right, and his neck stiffened.

"Lionel, I don't want to argue with you anymore. I'm tired of your nonsense. Please get over it and get out. Stop meddling in my business! I trust Rufus, and it's never your place to judge."

"I will never accept you and my brother together." said Lionel. Cassandra didn't bother to waste her breath, knowing that he just wanted to get on her nerves.

Lionel was quite frustrated that he never got the response he wanted.

He knew he was the reason for Cassandra leaving him. She was such a stunner, how did he miss that? He had all those mistresses, and not one could compare with her. This woman used to be his legal wife, but now she was in his brothers arms. With this thought, a sudden pangs of rage flooded through him.

"If Rufus does marry you, then you will no longer be my ex, but my sister-in-law!" Lionel laughed out loud. "But...I'm not sure whether that will go down too well with daddy dearest. Rufus would just do it to spite him anyway."