Chapter 348 A Gaze From the Shadows (Part Two)

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"Thank you so much, Clark. It's very thoughtful of you. We appreciate it a lot,"

Cassandra said gratefully. She felt embarrassment spring in her gut as she thought about the painting.

Clark had been generous and kind. She, on the other hand, had been so stingy. She felt ashamed of herself for her actions.

"It's my pleasure. I'm just returning the favor. Auntie has cooked so many delicious meals for me,"

Clark replied, smiling at Cassandra.

A brief silence followed without anyone saying anything more. They just sat looking at one another, and the next moment, all three of them burst into laughter. Anyone who saw them would have mistaken them for a lovely family.

A family…

Cassandra was startled with her own thoughts when the word 'family' came to her.

At one time, she used to wish for a warm family. It was everything she had ever wanted. As long as the people she loved were safe and happy, she felt like she could face anything.

After dinner, Clark chatted with Edith for a little while. Cassandra watched them and made a decision. Night fell deeper, and he bade goodbye to his hosts. Before he left, Cassandra rolled up the painting and handed it to him. Clark opened the painting and studied it for a moment, his eyes trailing over the strokes, then looked at Cassandra.

"Cassandra, you can be so much better than a lobby manager. You can't waste your talent. You're a designer. You have even won an international competition. It's what you should be doing."

Regret was all over Clark's face as he spoke to her, but all Cassandra felt was an ache. She did not even want to think back to that time.

Rufus helped her sign up for that competition. He made it possible for her to enter. He was with her when she went abroad and did no

Jean Wen sacrificed herself for family interests. Before her husband divorced her, she made every effort to please him.

"You are inexperienced in bed," he said coldly.

"You! Give that land to my family, or I won't agree to divorce," Jean replied furiously.

"Fine. It is exactly what I am thinking about," he sneered.

able to peek at the mansion. Daylight made its lines too clear-cut, and the memories well-defined. When she passed by it, she usually wore a scarf or a cap for cover. She didn't want anyone, especially the people living next door, to notice her.

Rufus was a lingering scar, one that she dared not to touch, in fear of reopening familiar aches.

But even her pain could not stop her from looking. From time to time, she would find herself thinking about Rufus, indulging herself in his memories.

Cassandra walked to the fence instinctively. She wanted to take a closer look at the courtyard.

It was late, and darkness wrapped the area in a comforting silence. Only in such times could she look at the courtyard and study the mansion she had once lived in.

From the outside, it was as if nothing had changed. The mansion looked as grand as it was since that time.

Suddenly, the door swung open. Smoke billowed into white curls in the wind. Rufus held a cigarette between his fingertips. Startled, Cassandra did not move.

There were no stars in the sky. The only light came from a dim street lamp.

From the shadows, she stared at him, watching his every movement.