A Graduation Gift

Charlie avoided telling Amanda the ugly truth. She was his dear daughter. He would do anything to avoid hurting her. Rufus's plan was ruthless. As her father, it was his sole purpose to make sure Amanda was happy.

"Amanda, listen." Charlie stepped forward before continuing,"I don't think Horace is as kind and gentle as he makes out to be..."

Charlie let his mouth open, wanting to continue but could not find the words. Amanda was clever. She knew exactly what Charlie was trying to say.

She knew that Horace had his own agenda. Amanda had always been the more competitive daughter-in-law as compared to Cassandra. Her higher social standing and reputation could help the Tang family enlarge their network and access better resources. Horace was indeed a clever businessman. He took advantage of that fact.

"Father, you don't need to worry. Rufus will be the one living with me and I believe he'll protect me."

Amanda beamed at Charlie.

Charlie's hardended heart gradually softened. His daughter looked so innocent. He decided right there and then to withhold the truth.

If things got bad between Rufus and Horace, Charlie would spirit Amanda away from the Tang family altogether.

Meanwhile, Rufus left the Tang family and went back to the Garden Villa, only to find Cassandra packing her bags. This infuriated Rufus.

"Cassandra, didn't you hear what I said this morning?"

Cassandra ignored him, neatly packing her clothes.

"Rufus, I'm not breaking up with you. I just need to move out. We're not married. This?" Cassandra gestured at the whole room,"This is wrong. I have no reason to be staying with you. Your reputation is taking hits."

Cassandra kept on folding her clothes as she explained.

She didn't stop, so Rufus went to her side and grabbed her wrist to catch her attention.

"I'm telling you. Don't test my patience. I don't care what people say about me. If you think you don't have any reason to live with me under the same roof, then I'll give you one. Let's get married."

Rufus reached into his pocket and took out the gorgeous diamond ring he always had with him.

"Just slip it on. Let's head to the office and get registered!"

Cassandra's mouth was agape, visibly dumbstruck.

The diamond was almost the size of a small rock. It rested on a platinum setting and almost blinded her because of its sheen. It looked priceless. However, Cassandra didn't feel excited at the moment. She found the proposal foolish. It wasn't even done in a proper way. It felt rushed, forced even. Rufus only did this because he had to stop her from leaving. Cassandra felt her eyes welling up. She felt so sorry for herself.

She closed the ring box gently, and handed it back to Rufus.

you don't have to force yourself

and looked directly into Rufus's eyes. She

saying you don't

close

Rufus. I want to marry you,

this, and then slowly opened them. She bit her lower lip as she looked at the tall man

space so we can understand what we want. We need to ease into each other's life. When the time comes, we can reconsider if we really want to be together or not.

a messy marriage. You knew first hand how bad that relationship was. It was a failed marriage. I don't want that to happen again. I've developed this kind of phobia about marriage. It's not just about the two of us anymore. It's about two families. I need to clear my head and not to ruin our relationship at the same time. I

family of my own. But as of now, we really don't have a sense of security, right? Neither of us is confident

her mind and the words rang true. She had always wanted to say these things to Rufus but she

at bay. He was about

so bad to understand Cassandra because deep

throughout, neither he nor Cassandra felt any

like any other normal couple. He had his own revenge on the side. He always

been assertive with Cassandra, and she had never said anything about it and

off. Let's take things more slowly. Isn't it better if we had more time to get to know each other more? You have your own goals to achieve and I have the Qin Group to manage. We can talk, chat and even

the bright light, her thick eyelashes cast their own shadows and

You think us living together is destroying

his voice. Cassandra could feel his

out that living with him was a torture

the Garden Villa by her own choice. He thought she would wait for him and was willing to be his woman. But judging from what she just said, she didn't want this life at all. She had been suffering

the wrong way, Rufus. I'm moving out for your own good. I'm doing this for

remembered the news headlines she saw today. They were all rumors about

Rufus to face these unfounded rumors. That was when she decided to leave the Garden Villa and give each other some breathing

the way they were, their relationship could have deteriorated even further, to the brink of collapse. What was worse, they couldn't even enjoy their private

if that's what you

in his rage.

loud voice terrified Cassandra. She trembled in fear as Rufus shifted his anger into sorrow

always treated you well and cared about you. If you really feel that you want to leave. We can break up. Are

look at Cassandra's face, drained of all color.

he begged that Cassandra would see her mistake and apologize. He wished that she could admit that her persistence and pride were all for show. He wished that she was

However…

"Rufus, you're ridiculous,"

luggage promptly and stood

hardest not to grab her hand. He could feel her clothes touch his. It was the only physical contact they

all the memories flooded him. He recalled her enthusiasm when they first met in Rome. She was wasted at the time. He remembered her serious no-nonsense