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.

like? Is he treating Cloris

shot one question after another.

and

know him. He is the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur Zhuang. Cloris

seemed so happy and she always looked

with Cloris before. She even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting. It confused Cassandra to see them dating

"Arthur? I know him!"

of the business circle. Of course,

for her. Arthur is a very good

to wipe it off his face. Realizing that his daughter was dating a great

Cassandra joy, too.

Cassandra. By the way, who were you talking

that he did seem to show more

hoping that he would not investigate as this was a topic she would have

lot, clearly. Mother doesn't like him very much either, but I'll introduce him to you, Father, and you'll see that he's really a great guy! I promise! I mean, I think you'll really

best as she could, she explained the situation and put in as many good words for Rufus

silent for a few seconds and then sighed in

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

family's approval, it was likely that the news about Rufus's identity had not reached him yet. It was a good

Please let me

replied gently with

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

ache. Would Horace agree if she married

me you'll take care of yourself.

as he held her hands and looked straight into her eyes.

promise. Thank you,"

father's love overwhelmed Cassandra so much that

and holding his hands, she

distant to her and showed obvious favor towards her sister. She could not recall a moment in her childhood where she felt that he loved her. He never seemed to care what she did in her life or if

did

her family and allowed her hatred to get the best of her during

She wanted to tell him how she felt, how beautiful these kinds of

to understand the warmth of having a family and how it was worth

much more

very stubborn and nothing

what Lionel did, nothing seemed to

of the Tang family, it would have been Rufus's responsibility to lend a