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.

You can't see it nor feel it.

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

strong-willed and did not yield easily. But now, her pained eyes and expression made his heart ache. She looked so

into his chest

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

he felt. There was so much danger and he did not want to leave Cassandra in this terrible

leave with

as she tried to push him away but failed. Rufus was determined to keep

"Why?" he asked.

distant. He couldn't feel her heart the way he did

making up for

low yet determined voice.

about the Tang family? Huh! Even if I didn't come back to the

He had no contingency plans whenever he deployed business strategies against the Dawn Star Group. Even without

the bank to expand Tang Group, things would be different. At least, Lionel would not be so helpless in dealing with the loan,"

was not a fool. When Rufus applied for loans from the bank to expand the company, everyone thought he did so to gain a bigger share of the market. It was

but

to several other problems. Its state would

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

became more and more difficult to understand

don't think your mother would rest in peace if she saw you with so much

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

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

replied, frustrated. The fact that Cassandra could not seem to understand

want to do is take them down, then

she turned around to leave. Cassandra, too, was disappointed. But before she stepped out, she suddenly stopped as if she forgot something. Then, she turned to face Rufus and said, "I am not going anywhere with you unless you help the Tang Group get out

she finished her words, she took off, leaving Rufus alone with

the Tang Group. Why

she left. 'Rufus, my darling, there is no real hatred among family. When will you

and Edith appeared in her mind. It was probably time to pay her father

her car in tears. Ivy had been waiting

before. She felt so ashamed with what Rufus had done to her. She could not believe that he asked her to leave

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

leave the place because Rufus drove her out. She did not really know what happened

seeing Amanda cry so intensely, Ivy guessed that Rufus must have driven her out too. He must have sided with Cassandra. Otherwise, Amanda would not have

not stop crying. Memories of her and Rufus started to play