A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 255

She continued, "You weren't a honest wife, were you? I've been curious why Rufus wants you. You seduced Lionel's brother while you were his wife. How wrong and deceptive was that?"

She rolled her eyes at Cassandra and teased her.

Then Cloris went on, "I liked Rufus back at that time. You encouraged me and promised you would help me to win his heart for me! I trusted you, Cassandra. How stupid I was! You are a complete lair! You make me sick, Cassandra Qin!"

The more Cloris spoke, the angrier she grew. Her face became contorted with ugliness as she accused Cassandra.

"Listen to me, Cloris! You misunderstood me! I know it would be difficult for you to trust me. But at least, listen to my explanation, please! I didn't know that you hated me so much. We haven't communicated well for awhile now. It's my fault, as I'm the older sister. I can explain everything you need me to. Rufus and I, it's not what you think. I never had an intimate relationship with him when I was married. We didn't do anything crossing the line. He was only friendly towards me,"

Cassandra explained and felt her hands were shivering. She was trying hard to keep calm and telling herself that Cloris was only a young girl and not to take her words seriously. But no matter how hard she tried, her heart hurt badly because of Cloris's charge against her.

She had been Lionel's wife. However, Lionel had never treated her the way a wife should be treated. He never truly liked her but merely wanted to conquer her. He made another woman pregnant and then brought her into the Tang family! How ridiculous was that! That was a shame to her as Lionel's wife at that time. But Cassandra took it. She didn't tell her own family about what Lionel had done to her.

Clori insisted that she and Rufus had an affair when she was still Lionel's wife, and she seduced him. God knew the truth! It was Rufus who came after her and spoke openly about his feelings for her.

"Pfff. I don't care. You're divorced now and it's literally none of my business. But how could you set a trap for me? I can't forgive you for that! If Arthur hadn't come and saved me, I would've in all possibility been raped. I would like to ask you a question, as the schemer, were you disappointed that you didn't drive me insane? I believe you must be extremely disappointed to know that I had escaped the fate of being raped. Right?" Cloris exclaimed.

Cassandra was stunned by what Cloris had just said. She spoke as though she was a schemer and came up with an appalling plan to set her up, to destroy her.

There would be no way Cassandra would have allowed herself to be labelled with such a despicable blame!

"Cloris, I am so sorry such a terrible thing has happened to you. I will not rest until I get to the bottom of all of this. Who told you I was involved? Do you have any proof to tie me to this crime?" Cassandra asked, flabbergasted. "I would never do that to you. Please don't accuse me falsely!"

Cassandra had no idea why Cloris would claim that she made such a plan to hurt her. She didn't do anything to her. She was her elder sister, the one who always tried to help and look out for her when she could.

"Oh, of course. You would never admit that you sent that dreadful man! If it were not you, who would do such terrible thing to me?! Yes, I splashed pigment on you. But pay a man to rape me? How sick is that? Don't you think you went too far? You almost destroyed me!"

Cloris screamed desperately. Tears began to well up in her eyes and then eventually they cascaded over her cheeks. She began to sob. Cassandra moved in to comfort her but her sister pulled away.

Cassandra felt as though her heart stopped beating for a second. She didn't know what to make of all of this. She was shocked by Cloris's outburst and accusations. It all seemed like a nightmare.

Cloris wouldn't become so emotional, if she had made up the story of being raped. But Cassandra never did that to her. What made Cloris think that she had anything to do with all of this? This was completely beyond her. Who wanted to hurt her?

Cloris had already left and there was no point in stalling her. This was not the night she would listen to any reason. Cassandra stood alone in this dark distasteful street, still pondering the confusion of the day.

She made a mental note of the street and the address and then turned around. A guilt feeling fell upon her, leaving her sister in such an unsafe neighborhood. What choice did she have?

She wasn't sure what happened to Cloris but was determined to figure it out!

"Ivy, could you help me update this file? I'll need it by this afternoon,"

Amanda said sternly while passing a file to Ivy with a smile on her face.

"Oh, no problem, I'll start that right away," Ivy said obediently.

She was absent in mind before Amanda talked to her, so she was a bit startled and flustered upon Amanda's sudden approach.

"What happened to you, Ivy? You look pale, and seem to run down. Are you feeling sick or is something upsetting you?"

Amanda asked her in a seemingly careful tone.

"Oh, thanks for asking. It's just I got my period again this month. I'm still not pregnant," Ivy said sadly.

Ivy looked quite frustrated. She sighed, feeling disappointed. This matter of not falling pregnant was affecting her. Depression had set in, making her feel weak all over.

"Take it easy. You will eventually succeed," Amanda said encouragingly.

She patted Ivy on her back trying to comfort her.

"Lionel has been busy these days. He leaves early in the morning and comes back late at night. I will not have an opportunity even during the time of ovulation." Ivy had left out telling Amanda that Lionel had been distracted and a little uninterested. This was making it all the more difficult.

She said vaguely, but Amanda knew what she meant.

"There is a doctor I know of in G City. She's an expert in this field. You can make a appointment with her. Consult with her and she can subscribe medication according to your prognosis. The medication helps balance and correct the body. Maybe we can visit her someday, if you want?"

Amanda bent over and whispered in Ivy's ear as though sharing a mysteriously precious secret.

"She has a special remedy. You could have a boy if you follow it precisely. The ratio is 9 in 10 success rate. Isn't that amazing!" Amanda advertised.

She took a look around carefully and began again to keep up with the whispering in Ivy's ear. Ivy eventually became curious about this topic.

"Honestly? It sounds so magical!"

Ivy was just sceptical at first. She never heard of anything so bazaar. Maybe because she had never gone to visit a traditional doctor before. She was not sure whether she should trust Amanda or not, although she looked excited and eager.

"Yes, it is! I know a daughter-in-law of an officer, ranked high up. She had a boy with the remedy!"

Amanda assured firmly. Ivy began battling to contain the excitement and the possibility of hope.

"Where is she?" asked Ivy. "Can you take me there today?"

Ivy was impatient now. How she wished she could see this doctor, having her make a subscription so that she would be pregnant next month.

"No problem. Let's try after work. You go on with the file and I'll make an appointment. She has way too many patients."

Amanda winking at Ivy and then promptly left the room. Ivy felt happy and excited about this news.

She had miscarried already and it wasn't easy for her to get pregnant now. She was prepared to try everything, as long as there might be a chance. She longed to carry a life again.

Amanda took Ivy to a normal looking doctor's room in a hospital. An elderly grey-haired doctor was waiting for them.

After a brief introduction, the doctor asked Ivy to extend her hand. Apprehensively Ivy followed instructions. This doctor felt for her pulse for a long time, not saying a word. Her eyes closed as sitting in meditation.

After a lengthy moment, she stopped feeling the pulse to ask Ivy some questions. Taking out a note pad, she made a script and then sent Ivy to get the medicine at the pharmacy.

Ivy thanked the doctor and enthusiastically walked out. The doctor frowned and said to Amanda, who lagged behind her,