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

one question after

and replied

the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur Zhuang.

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

she did not understand, however, was that from what she knew, Arthur broke up with Cloris before. She even came back just to

"Arthur? I know him!"

of the business

happy for her. Arthur is a

smiled. He seemed to be unable to wipe it off his face. Realizing that his daughter

brought Cassandra

Cassandra. By the way, who

He realized that he forgot to ask who the mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he

Cassandra, though, she was actually hoping that he would not investigate as this was a topic she would have

herself 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

that Vernon might object. As best as she could, she explained the situation and put in as

stayed silent for a few seconds and then sighed

will make your life complicated, Cassandra. He is your ex-husband's brother. What will the Tang family say when they find out that you plan to be their older

that the news about Rufus's identity had not reached him yet. It was a

think about the future, Father. Please let me just worry about

with

have the time and energy to think about her relationship with Rufus at

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

care of yourself.

begged as he held her hands and looked straight

promise. Thank you," she

love overwhelmed Cassandra so much that she

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

a moment in her childhood where she felt that he

her wildest imagination did she imagine this moment to happen.

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

how she felt, how

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

was much more satisfying than

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

so deep into their problems. No matter what Lionel did, nothing

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