A Graduation Gift

The woman had bushy eyebrows and pink, plump lips. Her raven black hair cascaded down her shoulders. With her hands, she was stroking a Persian cat.

The cat had white luscious fur and a pair of large, clear odd eyes—one yellow; the other, blue. It purred as it curled on the woman's knees.

The woman looked at Cassandra with indifferent eyes, then stood up and walked to the stairs. Meanwhile, a middle-aged woman wearing a pair of glasses was coming down the winding staircase.

She was the wife of Mr. Gary Zheng, Whitney Qiu.

Whitney Qiu was somewhere in her forties. She had a very fair complexion. She was living proof that a comfortable life tended to make one age well.

Knowing that this must be the woman she was looking for, Cassandra immediately approached to introduce herself.

"Mrs. Zheng, nice to meet you. I'm Cassandra Qin, the eldest daughter of Vernon Qin,"

she said, beaming. She was doing a great job hiding her nerves. For some reason, she felt odd being in the castle.

"I know who you are. Mr. Li has told me that you were coming. It was clever to have him put a good word for you. Otherwise, I would not even consider seeing you,"

Whitney Qiu replied. Cassandra was confused. 'Who's Mr. Li?' she thought. It took her a second to realize that Mr. Li must be the mediator Rufus hired.

'This mediator must be very reputable to have this kind of influence, ' she thought.

Whitney looked down at Cassandra from the second step of the stairway. She had a way of making people feel so severely inadequate.

Coming to her senses, Cassandra recollected herself and managed a smile.

"Mrs. Zheng, has Mr. Li told you about the current situation of Qin Group? Right now, I am..."

She gestured Cassandra to stop before she could finish talking.

"Hold on. I do not want to hear about the shares my husband left. I assigned someone else to handle it. I am a woman who is not interested in business,"

she imposed. This made Cassandra feel very disappointed. Deep inside, she knew that Whitney Qiu only refused to cooperate because she was aware of the current situation of the company.

Still, a part of her did not want to believe that she came all the way to Norway for nothing.

respect, Mrs. Zheng, you seem to have misunderstood. I came to tell you news about my family, not really the company. It has been a while since we last met, I almost feel like I should call you 'Auntie'. Would it

to change her approach to address Whitney's aversion.

Whitney's expression

very smart. Smarter than her father!'

one of the co-founders of Qin Group. Unfortunately, he passed

what had happened to them. Of course, this was intentional from her end. She did not want to get involved in any relationship at her hometown. She also hired TY Group to

used to be playmates with her daughter,

daughter was happy and her

moisten with memories of the past suddenly

her sad to remember and realize

"Auntie", brought back lots

from the stairs and sat on the couch. She poured some tea into the

a seat, Cassandra," she

her posture, Cassandra could not help but admire her grace and sophistication. 'This is a true lady. She still remains elegant at

tea as she stroked the golden teacup. She was thinking about how

heard that you are a designer

started. She did not seem indifferent to her

replied, hiding the astonishment that it was Whitney Qiu who started the conversation. Her eyes

with the Tang Group, why are you still trying to save the Qin Group? With your family's holdings, your family would still benefit a

asked, puzzled in her insightful eyes.

He had his share of successes and failures. This company is the product of everything that he

eyes glowing

Qiu was

husband was young and full of life. He and Vernon were good partners, and he had invested

had changed. Qin Group had been in the red for years. Her shares did not have much value. The only thing that kept her from selling it

important not to put all her eggs in one basket. This mentality made her

He is very lucky to

Cassandra was accustomed to. It made her feel a

who went upstairs just now? She seems to really love her cat.

A part of her felt curious about Courtney, especially when she shot her a very indifferent gaze.

age, even more