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.

in my heart? You can't see it nor feel it. You know nothing

she would react positively to his apology. However, she only lowered her head. She didn't even say anything. In

very strong-willed and did not yield easily. But now, her pained eyes and expression

out and pressed her into his chest even more tightly.

with me, my darling," he

longer they stayed in G City, the more uneasy he felt. There was so much danger and he did not

can't leave with

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

"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 the way he did before. What had happened between them? How did it get to

up for it,

low yet determined voice.

didn't come back to the

strategies against the Dawn Star Group. Even without him, Rufus was sure that Lionel was going to lead the Tang Group to its

things would be different. At least, Lionel would not be

loans from the bank to expand the company, everyone thought he did so to gain a bigger share of the market. It was only now that Cassandra

himself from the crisis but what he did

state would worsen until it went bankrupt.

you always defend them, Cassandra? I don't get

more and more difficult to understand what

don't think your mother would rest in peace if she saw

would be enough to persuade him. Rufus, however, loosened his grip

Tang family. And I will never ever help them get out of this. Don't ever talk to me about this

could not seem to understand his

then I would rather

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

her words, she took off, leaving Rufus alone with his fists

supported me and took the initiative to terminate the agreement with the Tang Group.

family. When will you realize that? When will you let go of your desire

to pay her father a visit. 'I hope this winter would not be as cold

car in tears. Ivy had been waiting for her

could not believe that he asked her to leave and said all those humiliating

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

the place because Rufus

her out too. He must have sided with Cassandra.

stop crying. Memories of her and Rufus started