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.

Who? What is he like? Is he

question

and

president of Dawn Star Group,

said as Cloris's lovestruck face appeared in her mind. The girl seemed so happy and

up with Cloris before. She even

"Arthur? I know him!"

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

her. Arthur is a

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

brought Cassandra

you should also hurry up with your love life then, Cassandra. By the way,

was. A part of him felt bad that he did seem to show more concern about Cloris than Cassandra and he hoped that this lapse did not make Cassandra feel uncomfortable.

topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no

to lie to her father. Hurriedly, she explained, "I know we shouldn't be together. I mean, there are so many odds against us. We've been through a 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 like him

might object. As best as she could, she explained the situation and put in as many good

for a few seconds

will the Tang family say when they find out that you

had not

let me just

gently with a

that the Tang family did not even have the time and energy to think about her relationship with Rufus at this moment. Currently, keeping the Tang Group afloat was their priority.

pain in her eyes made Vernon's heart ache. Would Horace agree if she married his other son?

yourself.

he held her hands and

promise. Thank

love overwhelmed Cassandra so

ever imagine that she would share a moment like this with her father. Sitting across him and holding his hands, she had never felt

been 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

wildest imagination did she imagine

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

were beside her right now. She wanted to tell him how she felt,

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

more satisfying

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

what Lionel did,

to lend a hand.