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.

mom… My mom said that my dad had been arrested

was quivering. A surge of hopelessness crept

panic! Don't be

he scooped the trembling

her back up and down, he tried

All she was left with

the man

an effort to show his determination, the

I want to go home," the

lungs and the bottom of her throat. When she finished the sentence, her brain felt

go with you!" Rufus offered without hesitation.

belt for her, Rufus started the engine and speeded towards the Qin

car drove steadily towards the north. During the few hours of the

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

had given all his love to his younger daughter and ignored the elder one.

and even had cried alone. However, all these huge sorrowful memories had shrunken into

to a small town by her parents, to live with an old granny. Since that time, having a dad and a mom had become her almost unattainable

want me? Why did they leave me alone in this small town without coming to see me for so

in her mind every day. Cassandra had always wanted to dig out the answer. Yet every time she saw the unsmiling face of her father,

sob secretly on her bed,

no idea of how many times the little girl on the small bed right beside her had wetted her pillow in

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

on paper, which she hid

past, she had thought, that perhaps his father didn't love her. That was why he was so indifferent to her. Only once in a while, her parents would come to visit her, and

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

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

roared, and smashed her heart

family. If he would be gone, how could the

always depended on Vernon for her life. If Vernon

possible outcomes flashed across her mind as to what would happen to her father. Cassandra now felt that her soul had separated from her body and drifted away. She

grew tense as he focused

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

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

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