A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was in bed brainstorming about how she could talk Rufus out of his revenge plan when she heard a knock on her window.

She sat up nervously and hurried to open the window. As expected, outside was Rufus.

Looking up at Cassandra, Rufus wore an enchanting smile.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing to do, he stepped over the windowsill and into her bedroom, stretched out his hands and embraced her tightly.

"Cassandra, it doesn't look good for Horace. We might see the end of him soon. I'm just taking my time but I'll attend to business again soon."

Recently, he had received information from the banks about the Tang Group's loan status. Lawsuits were arriving here and there. It won't be long before they go bankrupt. This made Rufus feel very pleased.

What Rufus said made Cassandra feel sad. She understood what he meant. The Tang Group was in grave danger and someone needed to save it fast. Rufus was the only one who could do that, but instead of finding ways to keep it alive, he was trying to think of ways on how to kill it faster.

"Rufus, are you really going to watch the Tang Group go down without even trying to help?"

Cassandra asked, looking up at him in his arms.

"I know where this is going, Cassandra. You've already tried talking me out of my plan to destroy the Tang family out of hatred. I told you once and I'll tell you again: I'm not going to change my mind. I will not do anything to stop what's happening to the Tang Group. Okay? This is what I want so please don't try to convince me to do otherwise,"

Rufus replied as he stroked her back with his hands gently.

"Everything you hate about your father can be resolved. If your mother were alive, she would hate to see you do this,"

Cassandra sighed softly, recalling the photos she saw of his mother in his seaside castle. She seemed to be a reserved and quiet woman. At a glance, it was clear that she had a very kind heart.

"I don't care what she would think. She had her own opinions, but she was wrong. She lived a miserable life. Moreover, she got ill at such a young age and spent ten years in bed as a vegetable before she finally died. She did everything she could do for a man who didn't even visit her on her deathbed," he said.

Talking about his mother filled Rufus's heart with more pain and resentment. He blamed all of her suffering to Horace.

"Rufus, you are wrong,"

Cassandra said as she pushed against his chest and looked at him intently with her black eyes.

"You should know the man your mother sacrificed everything for was not Horace. It was you," Cassandra said.

home being a huge realization for Rufus.

you with a good environment for growth. The reason why she kept you from your father must have been because she

as she looked at him

the man who made her suffer

replied as he let go of her, trying to suppress his

can't even imagine what kind of

responded to what Rufus

revenge were all she wanted, she would not have even given birth to you. And even if she did decide to still have you, what would

she understood Rufus's mom better. It

knew that you were already growing inside her womb. She loved you more than she loved herself. That's what blood does. That's what a family does. You are

her own. Unlike what happened to Rufus's mom, though, her baby never got to

for what happened. Instead, she focused on you—giving you a good life, and a good education. As a mother, that was all she wanted: her child to have a good life. I think this was the reason why she

cracking voice as tears

she could because she loved me. But that is not enough to make me forgive Horace," he

tearful eyes distressed him but he had to stay firm. Horace had to pay for his mistakes. Unable to think of any way to appease her, he turned to avoid seeing

his actions and to regret what he has done. How can I give it up now

apologize because he knew what he did was wrong. As for Jill, I know she regrets what she did to your mother. If they both apologized, would you forgive

He had always been so

hands reflected the coldness in his

for Jill, she's even more unlikely to apologize. She thinks she's better than everyone else, especially me, who she always regarded as nothing more than an illegitimate child. Not once in my

words. There seemed to be no way to convince him

would manage

and Horace suffers,

had to

her with an incredulous

why are

asked as he tried to find clues of a bluff in her face. He didn't understand why she was trying to protect the Tang family. 'She should stand

with someone who can do this to his family. I want someone who is responsible, forgiving, and loving, especially to the people closest

was important to her and

are not

them as