A Graduation Gift

"How's it going with your work?"

In prison's visiting rooms, Vernon sat across Cassandra. He had grown thinner but he seemed to be in high spirits.

"It's doing great, Father. Don't worry about me. As for my mother, she can't come today because she has been very busy, but I'm sure she will visit you next time," Cassandra said.

She made it a point not to bear bad news because she did not want her father to worry too much. It was important for her that he behaved well in prison so he could be let out soon and they could all be together. Because of this, she and her mother agreed not to tell Vernon about Edith's illness.

"Do you have a boyfriend now?"

This was the next question he asked. Of course, this also brought him concern because he didn't want his daughter to grow old alone. It only made sense that he would ask this too.

Cassandra already anticipated this and she was able to prepare an answer.

"Yes, but we haven't been dating long yet. I'd like to bring him so you can meet him when it's time. It's still too early now,"

she replied smoothly without hesitation.

Vernon smiled with relief when he heard her reply. That was good news to him because in his mind, that meant that he did not need to worry about Cassandra too much. There was a man who was taking care of her.

"I'm sorry I haven't been a good father. You and your mother must have been having a hard time recently,"

he started apologetically. He felt sorry for leaving Cassandra the burden of taking care of his family.

Right then, Cassandra suddenly remembered what Rufus told Ivy.

Joel had threatened Vernon to the point of him considering suicide. She realized that Ivy must have done this because of the things happening between them back then.

Cassandra's heart ached. Her father almost died because of her. This filled her with guilt.

"Father, please, no more apologizing. We are family. We're all waiting for you—mother, Cloris, and me,"

she said as she reached out to hold her father's hand to comfort him.

"How about Cloris? How is she?"

It had been a long time since he saw his beloved younger daughter. He missed her very much.

"She's fine. She came back a few days ago and she has a boyfriend now,"

Cassandra replied with a smile.

is he like? Is

one question

smiled and

the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur Zhuang.

Cloris's lovestruck face appeared in her mind. The girl seemed so happy and she always looked

not understand, however, was that from what she knew, Arthur broke up with Cloris before. She even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting. It confused Cassandra to see them dating again.

"Arthur? I know him!"

part of the business circle. Of course, he knew who he

happy for her. Arthur is

face. Realizing that his daughter was dating

Cassandra

life then, Cassandra. By the way, who were you talking about? Who is your

that he forgot to ask who the mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he did seem to show more

this was a topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no other choice, she

doesn't like him very

best as she could, she explained the

seconds and then

ex-husband's brother. What will the Tang family say when they find out that you plan to be their older

not reached him yet. It was a good thing that all the rumors had not made their way to his

future, Father. Please let me just worry about what's in front

gently with a

the Tang family did not even have the time and energy to think about her relationship with

made Vernon's heart ache. Would Horace agree if she

of yourself.

her hands and looked straight

promise. Thank

overwhelmed Cassandra so much that she almost wanted

she would share a moment like this with her father. Sitting across him and holding his hands, she had never felt this loved by him in all her life.

showed obvious favor towards her sister. She could not recall a moment in her childhood where she felt that he loved her. He

in her wildest imagination did

she had everything she needed. She felt as if she were the luckiest girl in the world. If she had left her family and allowed her hatred to get the best of her

now. She wanted to tell him how she felt, how beautiful these kinds of moments were, and how things would always get

understand the warmth of having a family and

was much more satisfying

easy to convince him. He was very stubborn and nothing she did or said about this particular matter ever seemed to

what Lionel did, nothing seemed to

family, it would have been Rufus's responsibility to lend a hand. But unfortunately, absorbed by his hatred, he barely showed concern for their