A Graduation Gift

A Maserati was driving fast on the road. In the driver's seat was Rufus, talking on the phone.

"Are you at your studio right now? I am coming with Cassandra. There is a small problem with her dress."

After these words, he hung up the call, turned his head to look at Cassandra and noticed the little woman was shell-shocked from what had just happened at the party. With a blank look on her face, she said nothing.

Seeing her like this, Rufus couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. He silently let out a sigh.

There was no doubt, Cassandra was good at her work, and was a nice person to get along with. The only problem was that she was too trusting, almost naive and often let her guard down when around the people she shouldn't trust.

The night was warm, and the city was lit by bright streetlights. A cool breeze blew in the car through the rolled down window. Something unreadable flashed through Cassandra's eyes. She gently bit down on her lower lip and finally opened up to talk.

"The lace strap of this dress couldn't have easily torn by itself. Someone must have cut it."

From her small but firm voice, Rufus knew she was thinking through. A hint of anger flashed through his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifted. But he said nothing. He just hummed, letting her know that he understood what she was thinking.

It seemed that the little woman finally registered what had transpired. By now, she was calm enough to rationally think. Yes, Cassandra might be trusting and naive, but it didn't mean that she was stupid. What had just happened wasn't accidental. It was not that easy. Someone must have intentionally cut the lace strap of her dress to embarrass her. But who was it? Who would have wanted to do this to her?

Closing her eyes, she racked the brain for who would have a motive and the chance. It couldn't be Michelle Ling, because when the dress was delivered, Cassandra took enough time to confirm it was intact. There was no way Cassandra could have missed any sign of damage then.

Besides, Michelle Ling was a name synonymous with quality, class, and professionalism. The dress couldn't be of low quality that the strap would tear in the middle of the party. Who else could it be? Rufus? No, there was no way he would stoop that low to embarrass a woman. Not especially a woman that he loved. There was no chance in hell when the same dress had cost him a pretty penny. He wouldn't have a reason to pull such a lousy stunt. Then...

Cloris!

Cassandra couldn't help but shudder when her sister's name crossed her mind. Carefully, she thought back of the details when Cloris was with her.

A terrible hunch began to eat at her heart. She didn't want to accuse her sister. But the more she remembered what had happened when the two of them were together alone, the more she believed Cloris was culpable. Suddenly, without any good reason, Cassandra's head started to hurt.

With her fingers she rubbed her temple, trying to relieve the pain. It didn't work. What was worse, she even wanted to throw up.

"Stop the car,"

She demanded, out of the blue. Startled, Rufus glanced at her and realized she wasn't kidding. Right now, she looked so beat, that Rufus immediately pulled over to the side without a word.

As soon as the car stopped, Cassandra quickly opened that door and got out of the vehicle to stand by the roadside.

The cool breeze blowing on her face helped her feel less dizzy and nauseated. But at the same time, her heart grew cold. If Cloris was here, Cassandra feared she might have committed a felony.

Cloris was her biological sister for God's sake! Why did she have to do that to her? Cassandra's head began to spin again. She frantically tried to find a motive behind her sister's actions.

By that time Rufus had also gotten out of the car and walked to stand beside her. He reached out and steadied her wobbling body, his eyes full of worry for her.

"What is wrong, Cassandra? Is it carsickness?"

a gentle tone that pulled Cassandra out of her trance. They locked eyes as she lifted her head. That was when she finally understood why her sister

girl must have thought that he was

have come to the party fantasizing about Rufus, only to realize that

A rather foolish move, taking that kind of shameful revenge against her own sister and best of friends. Did she feel better now, after embarrassing

a cruel blow like this. Also, she blamed herself for hurting Cloris. For all that her younger sister knew, Cassandra was married to Lionel. No matter what challenges the marriage had, Cloris did not expect that her elder sister to have an affair with Rufus.

You know that Cloris likes Rufus, but still, you can't learn to keep your distance from him. Don't you think this embarrassment serves you right?' she silently cursed

long he kept it there and stroked her, it failed to cheer up her cold heart.

touch and walked

happening to Cassandra and

to his surprise, the little woman struggled hard against him.

body was tense, and she tried to break free from him again. The look on her face was cold and desperate. She was nothing like the gentle girl she had

exactly is wrong

honest, Cassandra frightened him. He had no idea what she was thinking right now. And to make things worse, she refused to talk. Only a short time

of me. You are my brother-in-law, for heaven's sake. Be

and there wasn't the slightest

she

made him angry all of a sudden. It surprised him that she wasn't even grateful for how he had saved the day by

studio for another dress at a tidy sum

me mad at

the look on his face, one could

to fight here. If anything, she was worn out right now, she just wanted to get home as quickly as possible

brother-in law. Just drive me back to

his hands into tight fists. In a fit of rage, he punched the lamp post beside them so hard

reaction made Cassandra's

Rufus so angry at her, but

bit down harshly at her lower lip and bowed her head

don't want to drive me back, then I will

she lifted her dress and turned to

sauntered off as if there was nothing to worry about. The arrogance of her body language incensed Rufus more.

heart was bleeding. She was trying hard to hold back her

all the while her heart getting colder

have known there was no chance for him and me. It's

kind to her and giving her false hope. It scared her to imagine falling in love with him only to set herself up for more drama and worse disappointment. Accepting him now would also be a bad idea, given

belong together, Rufus. We'd better go our separate

me to face my faults and make amends. Let's call it quits and

words that Cassandra wanted to say to him but she just couldn't.

sleeping with him was much worse. But it was all Cassandra's fault. She let her guard down. And now

met Rufus, she had become overdependent on him. Inch by inch, she let him into her space, forgetting it was a complicated relationship from the word go. From now on, she decided she'd stay away. Hopefully, her heart would not overwhelm her sensibility, because she loved

back her sanity, she reminded herself that she was Lionel's wife, regardless of their problems during the four years of their marriage. Moreover, she was the Qin family's lifeline at the moment. There was no way she was going to gamble with the lives of her parents and her sister, even though they caused