A Graduation Gift

Cassandra immediately felt silly when she realized what she was thinking. How could she suspect Rufus of doing such a thing?

Despite everything that he had been doing to the Tang family, she understood that it all came from his hatred for Horace and his abandonment of him and his mother. As for Lyndsy, however, it did not make sense. There was no reason for him to cause her harm.

Could it be that whatever happened to Lyndsy was done by her rival?

She walked towards the main entrance of the hospital while Rufus followed behind her, keeping a safe distance. Looking at the back of her head and almost feeling her grief, he could not help but feel sad.

There were a group of reporters waiting outside already. One of them recognized her. Soon, the rest followed.

"Miss Qin, how is Lyndsy now?"

"Miss Qin, did you find out anything about the cause of the accident?"

"Miss Qin, what will Lyndsy's future be now that her face is disfigured?"

…

Countless microphones made their way towards her face. She almost felt as if she were being suffocated.

Rufus dashed to Cassandra, squeezed through the crowd and spread his long arms to give her some space.

"Lyndsy is awake now. We will address your questions later at the news conference!" he announced.

Without minding any of the burning questions the crowd of journalists had, Rufus scooped her into his arms and immediately carried her away.

It had been a while since Cassandra was this close to him. She felt the warmth of his body, his familiar scent, his care, concern and protection.

She knew that it would not be a good idea to talk to the reporters candidly. It was better if all the information was to be released during the press conference. They had to come up with something formal that the news sites can base their reports from.

When they finally got to escape the annoying crowd of reporters, Rufus started to teach her a few rules of the entertainment circle. Cassandra, though, did not absorb a word that he said. She found herself staring at the window in silence.

"Cassandra, you may be inexperienced in this kind of thing. Let me do it, okay?"

Rufus offered gently, knowing that she was still struck with grief because of what happened to Lyndsy. This was the first time that Cassandra had to deal with a situation like this so it was understandable that she was having a hard time.

A bitter smile crept on her face. 'Let him do it?' Cassandra thought. 'Do I look like a loser who can't do anything on my own?'

"Why is it that I can't seem to handle problems well no matter how hard I try?"

she said slowly, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"I tried to save the Qin Group but failed. I tried to get rid of Clark but failed. Now, with Lyndsy, I can't even be of much help too. Why do I always feel that fate is against me? Why is everything so difficult for me? I'm...so...exhausted..."

she said slowly as her eyes closed. A single tear surfaced at the corner of her eye and dropped.

by

out his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace. He felt her tremble against his chest. Quietly, he assured her, "Cassandra, please be mine. Stay with me. I don't want you to be in pain anymore. Stand behind me. I'll protect you. It hurts me when I

type who preferred to keep his feelings to himself. However, seeing Cassandra hurt was too much for him. He

comfort her with his words, she

the pressure for so long, this was the first time she was letting it out. It was

help her return to normal breathing

cry. I'm here for

if his words were filled with some kind of magic, he managed to calm

do you pressure yourself

to embrace her and slowly swayed left and right. Gradually, he felt

seemed to stabilize, Cassandra gently got out of his embrace, wiped the tears off her face,

to know what caused this accident," she stated

she felt

me help

were brimmed with affection and a promise of protection.

Cassandra kept silent. She neither agreed

positive reply, this was

The closer he went, the more likely he was to get hurt.

was a

set of eyes

in thought, trying to guess what they were saying.

like they're talking again. Rufus must have already warned

men were playing a chess game. At this stage, they were both playing safe while they assessed the

chance to strike first would get a

life itself—no matter how indomitable one

Who was going to win this game?

into thin crescents as a smug

could already taste his

to take off Lyndsy's

bed were Cassandra

bandage was peeled off, revealing her face bit by

it showed itself: multiple scars.

support herself. Her body shook several times. She would have already fallen if it were not for Rufus's

was all that was keeping her upright. She struggled

need a mirror,"

stared at each other, neither of them daring to move.

"Is my face..."

filled her eyes. When no one reacted, her fear

in texture on the right side of her face, compared to her left, was very easy to detect. As soon as

"Give me a mirror!"