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.

said that my dad had been arrested for bribery,"

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

be scared!" Rufus affirmed.

he scooped the trembling woman and gave her a firm and reassuring hug.

caressing her back up and down, he tried to

ability to speak now. All she was left with

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

show his determination, the cuddle became even

to go home,"

from her lungs and the bottom of her throat. When

go with you!" Rufus offered

fastened the seat belt for her, Rufus started the engine and speeded

steadily towards the north. During the few hours of the journey, Cassandra

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

love to his younger daughter and ignored the elder

all these huge sorrowful memories had shrunken into

recall, at the age of five, she was sent 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

they leave me alone

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

bed, feeling abandoned by the entire

her had no idea of how many times the little girl on the small

was mature; she was an introvert;

drawn all her wishes on paper, which she hid

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

were huge as compared to those of Cassandra. Her little

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

and smashed

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

Vernon for her life. If Vernon would be put into

her mind as to what would happen to her father. Cassandra now felt that her

as he focused on

he stopped at a petrol station to refuel his

to get all the needed information no matter what it

'The only asset Vernon has is an