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.

arrested for bribery," Cassandra stuttered in a weak voice.

her body was quivering. A surge of hopelessness crept up from the bottom of her heart and

be

scooped the trembling woman and gave her a

her back up and down, he tried to

even lost the ability to speak now. All she

will be with you. Don't be afraid," the man slowly whispered in

show his determination, the cuddle became

go home," the absent-minded woman

the bottom of her throat. When she finished the sentence, her brain felt like it was

with you!" Rufus offered without

fastened the seat belt for her, Rufus started the engine and speeded towards the Qin family house as fast as he

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

all versions of Vernon—when he

father, he had given all his love to his younger daughter and

her heart and even had cried alone. However, all these huge sorrowful memories had shrunken into a tiny speck

by her parents, to live with an old granny. Since that time, having a

they leave me alone in this small town without coming to see me

Yet every time she saw the unsmiling face of her father, she would bury the burning questions deep inside her heart.

secretly on her bed, feeling abandoned by the entire

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

up, she became different from her peers. She was mature; she was an introvert; and she

had drawn all her wishes on paper, which

was so indifferent to her. Only once in a

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

walked on the narrow paths of the small town. Even though her father was not like other fathers who

smashed her heart

been Vernon who supported the entire Qin family. If he would be gone, how could the company of the Qin

depended on Vernon for her life. If Vernon would

to what would happen to her father. Cassandra now felt that her soul had separated from her body and

tense as he focused

he stopped at a petrol station to refuel his car. While waiting, he made a

I want to know what really happened. I want you to get all the needed information no matter what it takes!" he ordered.

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