A Graduation Gift

Cassandra could not believe what she heard. She was stunned by what Edith told her. For a moment, she was unable to move as she looked at her mother with wide eyes.

"An official who is also involved in the case wants your father to take the full responsibility for it. If your father declines, he will get a heavy sentence. This deeply distresses your father. This was why he wanted to kill himself..." Edith sobbed.

Edith lived a very comfortable and luxurious life earlier. But after everything had been happening in her family, she seemed to have aged considerably.

"Your father just woke up so the guard allowed me to talk to him. The first thing he told me was to be careful," she continued.

Cassandra frowned as she heard her mother's words.

She wondered, 'That official and father are under investigation together. It is certain that the official had something to do with the issue. How could he be able to maneuver himself out of the situation?'

She felt strangely uneasy. Something had always felt wrong about the situation, but she could not point her finger to what it was.

"Mom, dad is safe now. I am happy to know that dad is all right. Let's talk about the rest later. I will try to find someone who can help us deal with the case. Don't worry about the fine. I have already had that taken care of. Moreover, don't tell anyone what dad has told you," Cassandra emphasized.

Edith nodded and wiped her tears away.

"Cassandra, what about my tuition fee?" Cloris asked hurriedly.

As soon as Cloris heard that Cassandra was able to raise enough money for the fine, she immediately reminded her sister about her promise to help her with her studies abroad.

Glancing at Cloris, Cassandra's heart was harder than before.

Cloris was clearly accustomed to spending money like water. If she ran out of money, she would clearly lose herself.

Cloris used to be very lively, gentle and considerate. But when she realized that her father could no longer give her what she wanted, she became unkind and mean.

Maybe this was really what Cloris was like. Vernon's predicament finally exposed her for who she really was.

"For the time being, I can't give you the money. I need to pay off father's fine first, and we will talk about your tuition later," Cassandra replied coldly.

She stood firmly against her younger sister's whims.

'Cloris is spoiled terribly by our parents. She takes everyone's efforts for granted. She feels as if I should always give in to her whims. I will no longer do this, ' she thought.

Upon hearing this, Cloris stamped her feet in anger, turned, and ran away.

Cloris sullenly headed downstairs, her mind filling with grievances. Suddenly, she bumped into a man.

"Cloris? What are you doing here?"

her head, she found that it was Arthur.

I came to see my sick friend," Cloris

because of commercial bribery. She wondered, 'Even if my father

is your friend? Is there anything I can do to help? I know the Director of this hospital," Arthur asked

was as mannered and proper as before. His gentle smile would make anyone feel slightly

happy that her heart thumped unsteadily.

is all right. There is nothing seriously wrong with her. She is getting better. How about you,

to divert his attention away from this matter to keep him

here. I came to see him," Arthur answered.

knowing glint

already known to almost

little girl trying to fool me without practical wisdom. She is clearly less smart than her older

useless. I will

to study abroad. Have you applied for that program

one that would surely

application has not been approved yet," Cloris replied.

her own disappointment about

expenses will still be too much for me to bear on my

was raised in luxury. Recently, though, I have had to become more mindful of my expenses.

you. I know that you are excellent in your study, so I'm sure they'll consider your application. If you go abroad, I will help arrange everything for you. I also chose to study abroad when I was your age. After returning home, I took over the

credited his overseas study for his position in Down Star Group because he knew that it would only ignite Cloris' desire to grab the opportunity.

you, Arthur," Cloris

looked up at him and beamed a sweet smile. Anyone who did not know her would easily

goodbye, Cloris went to the coffee shop opposite of the hospital to wait for her mother. She did not want to go back to her father's ward so she decided to

his father, Arthur came out of the hospital and unexpectedly saw Cassandra and Rufus walking out of

her father, as well. Though, he wondered what

as Director of the Union of Real Estate to the

contact a columnist of the local newspaper to publish a cryptic gossip involving

not a lot of people seemed to care about Rufus and Cassandra's allegedly intimate relationship,

bad influences on the Tang Group, which made

bribery, thus giving rise to much discussion within

had his daughter with him, he always brought Cloris. It was possible that most people thought that he only had one

Arthur believed in the saying 'all roses bloom, sooner or later'. Cassandra was like the rose. One day,

a Western restaurant, a man in a cap sat looking down at

sat directly across him wearing sunglasses and

did you come back now? What are you doing here?" the woman asked in an