A Graduation Gift

Rufus frowned and looked at her, confused.

"Who are you waiting for?" he asked.

Cassandra pulled her collar up subconsciously. She didn't seem to be bothered by the wound on her neck. As the collar could not hide it completely, she tucked her neck a bit as she avoided Rufus's touch.

"There's another guy who is interested in the studio. I need to wait for him so I could show him around..." Cassandra replied.

She wanted to make sure that everything was settled for Lyndsy as soon as possible. That way, she could concentrate more on the shoot and her plastic surgery treatment abroad. Suddenly, Rufus interrupted her before she could even finish her words.

"It's me. Let's go. I'll send someone to sign the sale and purchase agreement with you,"

he said, feeling relaxed now. He initially thought that Cassandra just downright rejected him. As it turned out, she only wanted to make sure that the office sale was taken care of as soon as possible.

"What? It's you?!"

Cassandra's eyes widened as she looked at him in surprise.

"I didn't expect Amanda to get here before I did. Otherwise, you would not have been hurt," he replied ignoring her expression.

Her reaction satisfied Rufus very much. A smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Why do you buy this place? What are you going to do with it?"

Cassandra asked with furrowed brows.

"You will know it when it's time," he replied simply.

He did not want to tell her his plan just yet. He wanted it to be a surprise.

Cassandra looked at him with suspicion. In the long time that she had known him, she still found it difficult to read him sometimes.

Rufus smiled and held her in his arms. Then, he put his chin on her head and smelled her hair.

"I didn't know that my hesitation would cause you pain until today when I saw what she did to you. I'm sorry," he apologized.

There was guilt in his voice. His heart ached seeing the scratch marks on her fair neck.

Still, Cassandra remained sorrowful despite his words.

'You hurt me a long time ago, Rufus. You just didn't know it.

But what about the wound in my heart? You can't see it nor

positively to his apology. However, she only lowered her head. She didn't even say anything. In her eyes were sadness and

now, her pained eyes and expression made his heart ache. She looked

out and pressed her into his chest even more

leave this city. Okay? Leave with me, my darling," he

felt. There was so

can't leave with you now,"

him away but failed. Rufus was determined to keep her close. He would not let her go

"Why?" he asked.

he found it difficult to understand Cassandra. No matter how honest he got with her, she still felt so distant. He couldn't feel her heart

mistake. If you leave without making up for it, my

low

to the Tang family, Lionel still would have perished in

against the Dawn Star Group. Even without him, Rufus was sure that Lionel was going

would be different. At least, Lionel would not be

thought he did so to gain a bigger share of the market. It was only now that Cassandra

but what he

other problems. Its state

you always defend them, Cassandra? I

and more difficult to understand what was going on in

mother would rest in peace if she saw you with so much

be enough to persuade him. Rufus,

It's because of the Tang family. And I will never ever help them get out of this. Don't

fact that Cassandra could not seem to understand his feelings annoyed

want to do is take them down, then I would rather that

out, she suddenly stopped as if she forgot something. Then,

words, she took off, leaving Rufus

terminate the agreement with the Tang Group. Why are you doing this? Why aren't you standing

sighed helplessly as she left. 'Rufus, my darling, there is no real hatred among family. When will you realize that? When will you let go

the faces of Vernon and Edith appeared in her mind. It was probably time to pay her father a visit. 'I hope this winter would not

her car in tears. Ivy had been waiting for her inside.

had never cried so like this before. She felt so ashamed with what Rufus had done to her. She could not believe that he asked her to leave and said all those humiliating things in front of Cassandra. She felt as if

"Amanda, don't cry anymore..."

looking sullen. She had to leave the place because Rufus drove her out. She did not really know what happened next.

too. He

Memories of her and Rufus started to play in