Chapter 198 You Are Even Dirtier Than The Mud


    Amanda was astonished at the manner in which the mayor spoke; he seemed apletely different


    man. She knew the mayor as a family friend. They had discussed about the candidate for the


    spokesman, and it was sort of agreed on that Rufus would be the one representing the Industrial


    Tourism District with Amanda. But, why was the mayor acting so strangely today?


    "Excuse me a moment, Miss Ke, I am going to announce the results!" Mayor said.


    With a formal and polite smile, the mayor stepped onto the stage.


    Being the most important part of the ball, all the people hushed, waiting intently for the announcement


    to be read out.


    It would be a great honour for whoever became the spokesperson of G City. Being an integral part of


    the government, G City could advertise abroad, making it appealing to the tourists trade. In addition, it


    was to promote and advance one''s career, and a great mission to be working with Miss Amanda Ke.


    Rumour had it that the favourite to win by a mile would be Rufus.


    As the Director of the Union of Real Estate, the Tang Group was naturally a powerful candidate.


    Amanda having a close rtionship with the Tang Group was by no means a surprise if the


    government chose Rufus.


    All eyes were on the centre podium. The mayor, facing the microphone, pulled out the page with a


    name. Nervously clearing his throat, he began.


    "Spokesperson of the G City Industrial Tourism District, is conferred to our local entrepreneur..."


    He paused, sort of teasing the audience yfully, and his eyes swept a nce at the audience.


    Waiting in silence, Rufus still wore a expressionless mask on his face.


    Amanda became a little anxious, stealing a quick nce at Rufus. Fearing Rufus would say a tactless


    remark as he didst time at her concert. This could embarrass the mayor on today''s important


    asion.


    A very confident man stood beaming in the audience, pushing his already protruding chest out further


    than before.


    "The president of Dawn Star Group, Mr. Arthur Zhuang! Congrattions!"


    The mayor resumed in his loud and clear voice, followed by an ufortable silence.


    ''Arthur Zhuang? How could this be? Wasn''t it supposed to be Rufus?''


    Amanda was astonished. She had been given a reassuring promise from the local government. Rufus


    would be the spokesperson. Howe it turned out to be Arthur instead?


    Rufus never changed his detached look, disguising his true emotions which grew more intensive and


    showed in his eyes.


    Finally faint apuse broke the silence, which drew the remaining audience out of shock, before they


    apuded loudly.


    Arthur smoothed his tie, wearing his confident smile, and strolled onto the stage to deliver his speech.


    The mayor stood by, smiling decadently, yet stealing a nce at the winner with a glint of resignation in


    his eyes.


    ''Arthur, you dirty little scoundrel! If you hadn''t ckmailed me, you would never have had a chance, ''


    the mayor cursed within him. Resentfully the mayor watched Arthur having his moment of glory. ''The


    wheel turns my friend, I''ll be watching you. When you slip up one way or another I will be there, '' the


    mayor thought revengefully.


    Arthur had found evidence that the mayor had been abusing the public funds. If found guilty, the mayor


    would have to pay back the funds, be publicly humiliated and even loose his position. His family and


    friends would abandon him. After a lot of deliberation, he had no choice.


    To the mayor, the man who was delivering his amiable speech, was as vicious as a devil. At the


    thought of Arthur, he felt a chill down his spine. His face showed no expression as his thoughts went


    wild.


    After the speech, Arthur waved at Amanda, motioning her onto the stage.


    Reluctantly smiling back, Amanda walked slowly towards the stage and finally stood next to Arthur.


    It was too sudden and strange. Amanda was at a loss for words unable to respond, throwing an


    appealing look at Rufus.


    Secretly pleased at today''s result happened to go as he wished, Rufus however remained nonchnt.


    He had no interest in taking on the position any way.


    But... There must be arge amount of information behind this result. A mixture of gut and curiosity,


    would spur him on to disclose the truth behind the scenes.


    Journalists waiting to capture this moment on the sides now all scampered to the stage to snap up


    photos for tomorrow''s headlines. At the same time, the music resumed, and the party continued as the


    shock of the event muffled in the excitement which engulfed the hall.


    Experiencing so many mixed emotions as she spotted the silhouette standing on the stage was not


    Rufus, Cassandra wondered what to say or do.


    ''Being a spokesperson involved in the position could have been a great advantage for Rufus, ''


    Cassandra thought. Nevertheless, she was quite relieved that she didn''t have to see Rufus and


    Amanda, standing together on the stage. She was vulnerable and knew how hard it would have been


    for her.


    Women were always torn by their contradicting emotions and thoughts. Cassandra knew she needed


    to get a grasp on it.


    She had been so caught up in her mind that she was blissfully unaware of a evil plotpiling to


    destroy her. Ivy was intent of getting even with Cassandra. She med her for her miscarriage and


    seethed with bitterness towards her. Ivy who was closing on the little woman, had the assignment with


    her.


    "Ouch!" Ivy cried suddenly.


    That cry pulled Cassandra down from her dream cloud. Ivy had slumped down on the floor for some


    reason. Cassandra couldn''t figure out what was happening. Ivy had her knees already on the ground,


    her hands supporting her body, bellowing usations at Cassandra.


    Ivy had seeded in drawing the attention she needed. Arge crowed had their full attention squarely


    ced on Cassandra.


    People were inquisitive to see the extent of the damage, whispering to each other as many of them


    knew who they were.


    Cassandra knew this was a scam, as she hadn''t touched anyone around her. "This woman again, what


    was she up to now..." There was some little buzz of conversation went among the crowd. "Gee, Mr.


    Horace Tang''s former daughter-inw is making a scene again..."


    Ivy had teared up, staring at Cassandra with a pathetic look.


    "Cassandra Qin! How can you be so vicious, you tripped me deliberately!"


    Ivy used Cassandra, keep the attention on them. She used a harsh tone to express her pain and


    helplessness.


    "No, I didn''t. Don''t do this Ivy, you trying to frame me. Why are you doing this? Are you looking for


    attention, or revenge now?"


    Cassandra was surprised that Ivy would go to these lengths, what was more, with such arge


    audience and government officials standing around them. It was so embarrassing.


    "What did I do? Cassandra, you have signed the divorce agreement. You have nothing to do with the


    Tangs, but how can you do this to me? I''m sorry Lionel has left you, but you don''t need to be jealous


    ande after me. You are always trying to hurt me!"


    Ivy kept interrupting Cassandra as she was trying to talk.


    More people moved forward and began to whisper.


    "Look, thatdy is Cassandra, the present manager of the Qin Group. How could she be so mean and


    y such a low trick."


    "It.s just unbelievable. It''s not Ivy''s fault they broke up. She''s quite a decent girl and having all these


    people as witness. Such a malicious act it must be very upsetting!"


    "Not even capable officials can settle their own family troubles. How embarrassing for the Tang family.


    Cassandra has been known to be the difficult type. It''s been said that when she was the manager of


    the Architecture and Design Department in the Tang Group, she would grab all the projects herself and


    left other designers no chance of improving themselves."


    "Gee, is that true?" "But she looks so cute. Well, is true, we cannot judge a person by their


    appearance."


    ...


    The whispers were growing louder into normal talks and Ivy remained in the same position on the floor.


    She had no intention of moving. The more onlookers, the better. Her own dignity didn''t concern her,


    since she had already lost her eptance in Tang family. Her values had always beencking and her


    respect for others didn''t exist. Her n worked, and her acting was brilliant. She had won the sympathy


    of people and was milking it all the way.


    Having never expected Ivy to stoop to that level, Cassandra creased her brows, at a loss for what to


    do.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Lionel pushed his way through the crowd and walked over. Seeing Ivy still on the floor, he bent down


    and helped her up immediately.


    Ivy was delighted at the attention as people verbally sympathised with her. She took her acting career


    to a different level; her hobbling and cringing added a pathetic look for special effects. Lionel would


    have sympathy towards her, she was sure of that.


    Even though Lionel was jealous and reluctant for Rufus to get all the status. He had hoped Rufus


    could''ve won this nomination, since the benefit of the Tang Group''s winning would have been huge.


    The final result shocked Lionel to his core. He never would have believed it, if he hadn''t witnessed it


    himself. Thest person he could have nominated would be Arthur.


    He couldn''t think of a worse candidate. Lionel remembered when Arthur was still one of his errand


    boys, he had no spine and was obsequious. How could he bear to face that one of his own errand boy


    now had turned out to outss him?


    In some strange turn of events, Arthur became president of the Dawn Star Group. At the same time,


    Lionel also became the president of the Tang Group. Fortunately, the Tang Group ranked higher in


    terms of theirprehensive strength. Lionel had been proud and giving himself airs all the time.


    Then both corporations had made rapid development, but the Tang Group under Rufus''s leadership


    was always one step ahead.


    However, apparently, the Dawn Star Group had got a remarkable victory in this round.


    The industrial tourism programme, formted by the government was very important. The two


    spokespeople were even more so. However not one question was raised on the qualification of


    Amanda Ke, who was a world renowned pianist. ''Why did the local representatives choose Arthur?


    This ispletely beyond me, '' Lionel gave out a long sigh.


    ''Rufus always beats the opposition and has this superiority towards others. Howe he is


    whitewashed by Arthur this time?'' Lionel thought to himself despairingly.


    Thismotion of Ivy being tripped by Cassandra with people gossiping and inquisitively gazing made


    him inme with anger.


    After helping Ivy on her feet, Lionel vented all his frustrations and anger out on Cassandra.


    "Cassandra, you have now gone too far! How could you do this to Ivy? What do you think you are


    doing?"


    In a fit of rage, Lionel shouted at Cassandra.


    "Lionel, listen, she did this to herself. I have nothing to do with it! Don''t sling mud at me!"


    Cassandra found Lionel was so unreasonable after their divorce. He still sought every chance to set


    himself against her and would create a disturbance in herpany absurdly. Now with so many people


    around, how could she remain silent?


    "Sling mud at you?" Lionel sniggered. "I am afraid the mud seems clear inparison to you. Well, it


    seems you came here alone, right? So seeing Rufus with Miss Ke, made you bitter huh?"


    Cassandra frowned upon hisst remark, feeling her chest tightened and a few drops of perspiration


    gathered at the base of her neck.