A Graduation Gift

The faint smile on Rufus's handsome face, gave him a more relaxed look.

Michelle didn't leave with the two, and was picked up by a deep green Land Rover.

Cassandra bit her lower lip as she got in the passenger seat, fumbling for the safety belt.

For some inexplicable reasons, she felt so nervous that she couldn't plug the belt in. Sweat was formed on the tip of her nose.

Rufus found it amusing, and the smile on his face widened to a glee. He turned towards Cassandra and lowered his head to help her with the belt. They were so close that Rufus's warmth made the little woman blush.

When he was upright again, he found the mild redness on Cassandra's face so alluring. Under the dim light of the car, her skin looked pure white. Her glow attracted him even more.

"Luckily Michelle was there. Or else I wouldn't even know how to deal with them," Cassandra started, breaking the romantic atmosphere.

As she remembered playing mahjong with the ladies in the high class, Cassandra pitied herself for she realized that she lacked skills in socializing.

"Michelle is older than you. Surely she is more experienced. She has lots of connections. If you make friend with her, you can learn from her in the future," Rufus stated.

He had arranged the session, especially for Cassandra. She could remind the ladies of the Tang Group and potentially build up the profile of the company. This was also a good chance to build her own connections and widen her network, which would most likely be useful for her career development.

There was no doubt in her technical skills. The four years of studying in Rome had definitely equipped her with the necessary knowledge to do her job well. The only problem that she had was that she didn't know many people in G City. Cassandra was not a people person, which was parallel in significance with skills when it came to business.

Now he purposely created the chance for her to establish more connections and associations so that her road to the higher level would be easier. After all, one more friend meant one more opportunity.

Cassandra's repeated rejections made him more determined to protect her, in a way that she would accept—the independent woman wouldn't want to rely on him.

Rufus wanted to protect her perseverance, her helplessness, and everything about her.

Abruptly, Cassandra's phone rang. It was from Edith. Curious at the rare call, she asked, "Mom, what happened?"

The person from the other end of the line couldn't stop herself from weeping. In a voice mixed with crying and shouting, she told Cassandra, "Cassandra! You dad has been whistle-blown! They say he bribed officials! He was taken away by the people from the prosecution for investigation!"

The words cast a gloomy shadow over Cassandra. She could see nothing except for darkness. With her entire body trembling, she muttered, "Mom… You… Just wait for me. I… I'm coming back now."

Barely able to control the shaking of her hands, she failed to grip the phone, which dropped onto the car floor with a loud thud.

"What happened?"

Rufus asked with so much worry and concern, as he sensed that something was wrong with Cassandra.

that my dad had been arrested for bribery," Cassandra

was quivering. A surge of hopelessness crept up from the bottom of her heart and diffused through her entire

panic! Don't be scared!" Rufus affirmed.

arm to her waist, he scooped the trembling woman and gave her a firm and reassuring hug.

up and

speak now. All she

be with you. Don't be afraid," the

determination, the cuddle

home,"

few words were literally squeezed from her lungs and the bottom of her throat. When she finished the sentence, her brain felt like it was

go with you!" Rufus

and speeded towards the Qin family house

drove steadily towards the north. During the few hours of the journey, Cassandra sat up still with her

mind, she envisioned all versions of Vernon—when he was strict and when he was

his love to his

However, all these huge sorrowful memories had shrunken into a tiny speck at this moment when her father was in a huge crisis. They didn't

could recall, at the age of five, she was sent to a small town by her parents, to live

me? Why did they leave me

always wanted to dig out the answer. Yet every time she saw the unsmiling face of her father, she would bury the

on her bed, feeling abandoned by the entire

of how many times the little girl on the small bed right beside her had wetted

She was mature; she was an introvert; and she refused to talk.

her wishes on

once in a while, her parents would come to visit her, and take her to the stores in town to buy her favorite snacks

of Vernon were huge as compared to those of Cassandra. Her little hand was only able

narrow paths of the small town. Even though her father was not like other fathers who were really close to their kids, she

and smashed her heart over and over

entire Qin family. If he would be gone, how could the

depended on Vernon for her life. If Vernon would be put

outcomes flashed across her mind as to what would happen to her father. Cassandra now felt that her soul had

grew tense as he

stopped at a petrol station to refuel his car.

you to get all the needed information no matter what it takes!"

turned grim. 'The only asset Vernon has is an almost-broke company. Bribery? With what he