A Graduation Gift

Cassandra had always convinced herself that as long as she indulged herself in working hard, things would become better.

For her not to be a person who couldn't earn her living and be dependent on others, she went to Rome to study architecture and design.

While some of her classmates were shopping, dating and partying, Cassandra stayed in the library, studying piles of thick books about architecture.

Cassandra, as one of the few Asians in college, consistently scored higher than her classmates and won the full scholarship. She was studying at one of the prestigious schools in Rome without spending a penny.

In one instance, she had beaten some famous designers and won a prize in a design competition when she was still a college student.

When she was employed by the Tang Group, no one really trusted and respected her. She was so young and inexperienced. Everyone wondered how she could be the manager of the design department of the Tang Group. Cassandra ignored all those criticisms. She had just kept her mouth shut while busy signing contracts one after another.

There was a two-hour lunch break in Tang Group. During the break, everyone in the office would gather together and get out to grab some food. Cassandra, however, would always take a snap, order something to takeout and then get back to work right after lunch.

She was never late or got off work early for no reasons. Instead, she always worked late, determined to give her clients a perfect design.

She worked very hard these past years, thinking that her life was getting better and better gradually. However, now she felt exhausted. She didn't know whether she could carry on with her way of life.

"Cassandra, some senior executives of your father's company came to our house today. They asked me about my plans. They said if the business volume couldn't recover, they might resign,"

Edith called Cassandra during the lunch break. She sounded so nervous on the other end of the phone that Cassandra could even imagine her anxiety without seeing her.

"I see, mother. I will go to dad's company tomorrow and talk to them. Please don't worry."

When she hung up the phone, Cassandra bent over the desk and sighed, helpless.

She felt stressed and drained.

Cassandra thought the prize she won in the competition could support herself for a while. However, Horace gave all her cases to the other designers and she couldn't even fight for that. Otherwise, people would think her as a self-centered and arrogant manager who would take all the credits and didn't give opportunities to others.

She was so annoyed.

Suddenly, the door opened. Victor walked into her office, with a food container in his hand.

"Good afternoon, Manager Qin. Mr. Luo asked me to bring you this."

Victor walked towards her desk and put down the food container and left. Victor's timing was just perfect. Cassandra was hungry and she was glad that someone sent her some food.

She opened the container, the meat dishes and vegetables all looked tasty and smelled better than the takeout she used to order.

Fried potatoes with green pepper, stewed pork trotters...everything looked mouthwatering.

Cassandra could see that Rufus had put a lot of effort into preparing them.

the dishes and carefully placed the silverware on the desk. Now it seemed to her that she was eating

the dish, Cassandra noticed a card stuck at the bottom of the

couldn't help but be amazed at how thoughtful Rufus

your

wave of warmth rushed over Cassandra making her excited

knew that he cared for her. He helped her sign up for the design competition, helped her find Joel who framed her up. And now, he was worried about her health since she always ordered takeouts all the

blushed when she fumbled at what was written on the note. It reminded her of what Rufus said to

Group one day. By then, we can stay with together forever, ' Cassandra thought to

came back to Rufus's office, Rufus just finished his

throw

with a gloomy face,

"Throw… away?"

confused. He thought Rufus

she gave the food container to you. Didn't you throw

eyebrows inquisitively. Victor wasn't a talkative person, but he was an efficient one. Rufus could sense that something went wrong since Victor

as if there

into Rufus's office, Angie handed him the food container

Angie gave him a sweet smile before going back to her

the container and it was still warm. Opening it to see what was inside, he was surprised to see a feast of a healthy

Rufus asked him to

for Cassandra. Victor didn't know how to tell Rufus that he had made a mistake.

container… I…I…I…gave it to

into Rufus's eyes. It was the first time

up his head and peeked at Rufus. Judging from the look

Qin doing

lunch break. But since she didn't get too much work lately, he wondered

knocked on her door, she was talking with her mother on the phone. It seemed that something

carefully. It was rare that Rufus didn't get mad at him because of his mistake. Usually Rufus was very serious about work and very strict when they made mistakes. Needless to say, the reason why he hired Angie to be his secretary was that she never went wrong,

you

of relief and was about to leave when Rufus called him again, "Oh, Victor, one more thing. Wait in Manager Qin's office. When she is

left the office. Rufus stood up and continued

information about Vernon's company before. He thought there was no chance for him to use that information. But it seemed that the information he had gathered were not all of no use.

the problem. At this time, he needed to the step in and be the person whom she could

the food container from her. With it in his hand, he walked out of the building and threw it in

he was approached by a wide, friendly

Victor! What did you

a nearby restaurant and was in a very good mood. When she saw Victor, she walked to him