A Graduation Gift

She knew there was no need for her to worry about what they would talk about. No matter what it was, her father would definitely take her side.

Once she was out of the room, Charlie's demeanor changed into a more serious air. He looked at Rufus with a deep, penetrating gaze and asked, "Rufus, are you sure you will marry Amanda?"

Any trace of his earlier cheerfulness was now gone from his face. Charlie had asked Amanda to leave, knowing that she would possibly be hurt by the conversation. Rufus's expression did not escape him. He knew that something was wrong.

Rufus held the older man's gaze with his own. "To be honest, Charlie, I don't want to marry her."

Rufus did not like taking the roundabout way of doing things. After all, Charlie was his mentor. He gave him his answer directly. Now that there was only the two of them, there was nothing holding him back from speaking his mind.

Charlie's face visibly hardened at his answer. "But why did you... why did you stay with her last night!"

Rufus had expected his outburst. The older man's hands shook as he tried to hold his anger.

'Since when did Rufus become such an irresponsible man?! Just last night, he has slept with Amanda, and now he is saying he doesn't want to marry her? What is this bastard thinking?' Charlie cursed inwardly.

"You know perfectly why. I care for Amanda because I think of her as a sister. The woman I love is Cassandra."

Rufus's face softened as he spoke of Cassandra. A gentle expression appeared on his face as he mentioned her name.

"Pfft. Love be damned! You're not thinking clearly. That woman isn't good enough for you!"

Charlie had Cassandra investigated a long time ago. He learned that she had close relations with Rufus despite being married to his brother Lionel. When Rufus's aunt Michelle went to talk to her to put a stop to their relationship, they had a quarrel which ended with Michelle falling down from the third floor.

She was worthless. She had nothing to her name and a torn reputation in everyone's eyes. But Rufus was saying that he loved her! Charlie couldn't believe the ridiculousness of it all.

sharp words that were threatening to go out from his mouth.

but rumors. If you know her better, you would understand. I have never met a more honest woman in

eyes as he spoke, as if to prove the sincerity of

and returned his gaze

now, and you had better stop screwing around with other women." He took a step closer to Rufus. "Forget that damned woman. Remember, you are going to marry my daughter," Charlie pushed,

clearly ensnared in that evil woman's trap. It would seem that she was an expert in manipulating rich men using her beauty. She would not be the first. Charlie had seen his fair

will not forget her,"

had filled his mind, even as he stared into the older man's eyes. He started to

time since they had last seen each other. She was trying to break free from him, and he knew that. He would give her all the time in the world to think, if that was what she needed. He would wait for her

you think. You will marry Amanda. Leave that woman and stay away from her

to the air before Rufus could say anything more. There was no way he could take Rufus's words seriously. He would make sure that his daughter would

be coming back to

about Cassandra with Rufus. That woman only served to sour his mood. He opted instead to speak

"Problems?"

brows furrowed in

a name for himself, and not once did he involve himself in Dark Night's matters. Why was

Word has reached us that he's

hearing the name. There was

singled him out and nitpicked his every move. He had to grit his teeth against this treatment and suffered in silence thanks to

their boss, and fighting back against him would only

to concern himself with making enemies, especially not a spoiled brat like Clark. His first and foremost target was