A Graduation Gift

"You want my position? Okay, let's call all board members together and initiate voting. The candidate with the most votes wins, I'll happily resign if I don't win," Rufus said assertively.

Rufus's insolent smile and confidence humiliated Lionel. He didn't take Lionel seriously and didn't even see him as a threat.

Rufus had good reasons to be confident. He was far more qualified than Lionel in progressive thinking and far more learned overall. Lionel himself was uncertain about the vote. Those senior executives on the board were smart and foxy. When he was the CEO, Lionel needed to respect and listen to them as he used their discretion to make decisions or pass a plan. He needed their consent as well. Rufus, however, didn't need to do that. He was so talented and experienced that they would listen to him and follow his instructions strictly instead. Rufus had no problem running the Tang Group.

What if the senior executives made things difficult and the company became unmanageable for Lionel when he went back?

Every time he thought that there was no one to trust or rely on in the company, Lionel felt frustrated and jealous of Rufus.

Rufus had already taken away Lionel's authority. He had no say on the board. He was part of the executive members but the members didn't take him seriously. So his restrictive power was pretty much of no use.

"Lionel, go back to your bedroom! You stay out of it!" Horace commanded

He lifted his head up and glared at Lionel.

Lionel knew that he wasn't able to replace Rufus. He knew he shouldn't get involved in the conversation in the first place.

Horace, who had the final say in the company, wanted to restrict Rufus's authority and power. He would then be able to force him to break up with Cassandra. But Rufus stood assertively and showed no form of surrender.

Horace's plot failed dismally.

"You go back too. Let's talk about it another day," Horace said arrogantly.

Feeling infuriated, he pretentiously waved at Rufus and asked Jill to help him upstairs. Disappointment showed on his face. He was at a loss for words, and this didn't happen often. He was humiliated by his own son.

Jill glared at Rufus, annoyed.

Rufus grew up as an illegitimate child. Since his return there had been no peace and serenity in the Tang family. Their lives were filled with quarrels and sadness. Jill felt irritated, blaming all drama on Rufus. She didn't like this man at all.

Rufus just smiled rebelliously. He didn't seem to care about his father's feelings as the Tang family had never truly accepted him. He had always been an outsider and could think of it never changing.

Why then should he show compassion and care about them?

Rufus's eye showed conceit and hatred. He swore one day he would turn this luxurious mansion into a despicable hell hole.

Cassandra's cell phone had been vibrating in her bag. She knew it was Rufus calling again but still ignored him.

Cassandra and Rufus had never communicated frequently before. Since she moved out, Rufus called her continuously. She had put her phone on vibrate mode as the annoying ringtone rang countless times in a day.

was no difference whether they got back together or broke up since she would be

to hold onto her. He became enraged easily at times. His assistant was fearful of going into his office, for fear of being scolded for

"Pardon me, Mr. Luo?"

reported her work to him, which was rare as he was always serious about his work. His attention was in the wrong location and not in the

Just leave the files on my

told the assistant

cold and perplexed with dark gloomy rings around his eyes, and his tendentious mood was tangible.

the office quickly. She breathed a sigh

think about Cassandra again. She didn't answer his calls. No one ever did that

she serious

about Cassandra sobbing yesterday

decided to go to the Garden Villa to pick up her things and return the key to Rufus

her bags in the mansion. Looking around, she felt overwhelmed at how mixed her feelings were. She remembered the beautiful moments spent in every corner—the kitchen where she sat on the counter spooning with Rufus or trying to cook special meals together; the fireplace where they

was leaving. It was sad and reluctant for her to be leaving. 'Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all, ' she thought. Her heart sank. She felt gutted, wishing there would be a way to make it work. But she knew the

ask for much. She just wanted a steady relationship. Her wish seemed to

she finished, Cassandra carried her luggage and slowly walked out of the mansion, making

for her in the courtyard. But she would never be able to hear the trees rustle or watch the flowers bloom with the man again.

smiled, at the memories, but her heart was broken.

' Cassandra thought to

Cassandra stared at the screen,

you? Why don't you answer

one dared to do that to

Garden Villa," she answered bluntly.

determined to keep the tears from

change your

He thought Cassandra was moving back to

I put the key in the mailbox. I'm leaving. I'm on my way out," she said quickly, implying that she was leaving him. She battled to show her determination to Rufus over

do

me?' He couldn't believe she was being dead serious. He turned around at once

you're driving. Be careful.

She was concerned about his safety, so she hung up.

Don't you dare hang up again!"

fist in the steering wheel, then

Rufus,

would return the key. It seemed that she had made up her mind. Thinking that she would never visit him or the Garden Villa, he

with her. It was the first time he would go to these lengths to please a woman. The result was unexpected. He had even contemplated marrying her before. This was something he