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.

he like? Is

one question after

and replied patiently.

is the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur Zhuang. Cloris likes

The girl seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur with such

what she knew, Arthur broke up with Cloris before. She even came back

"Arthur? I know him!"

excited. Arthur was part of the business circle. Of course,

Arthur is a very good

face. Realizing that his daughter was dating a

Cassandra joy,

should also hurry up with your love life then, Cassandra.

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

would not investigate as this was a topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no other choice, she had

lot, clearly. Mother doesn't

she could, she explained the situation and put in

few seconds and then sighed

ex-husband's brother. What will the Tang family say when they find out that

likely that the news about Rufus's identity had not reached him yet. It was a good thing that all the rumors had not made their way

to think about the future, Father. Please let me just worry about what's in front of us,

with a

family did not even have the time and energy to think about her relationship with Rufus at this moment. Currently,

heart ache. Would Horace agree if she

promise me you'll take care of yourself. Don't allow yourself to

hands and looked straight

Thank you,"

her father's love overwhelmed Cassandra so

and holding his hands, she had never felt this loved by him

not recall a moment in her childhood where she felt that he loved her. He never seemed to care what

in her wildest imagination did

Cassandra felt as if 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 during her bitter days, she would not have reached this moment. She was grateful that she did her best to protect it. The

right now. She wanted to tell him how she felt, how beautiful these

of having a family and how it was worth fighting for.

more satisfying than

not be easy to convince him. He was very stubborn and nothing she did or said about this particular matter ever seemed to get through to him.

Lionel did, nothing seemed to work.

responsibility to lend a hand. But unfortunately, absorbed by his hatred, he barely showed