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 he treating

shot one question after another.

smiled and

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

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

even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting. It confused Cassandra to

"Arthur? I know him!"

was part of the business circle. Of course,

happy for her. Arthur is a very

face. Realizing that

Cassandra joy, too.

love life then, Cassandra. By the

of him felt bad that he did seem to show more concern about Cloris than Cassandra and he hoped that this lapse

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

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

was worried that Vernon might object. As best as she could, she explained the

a few seconds and then sighed in resignation.

What will the Tang family say when they find out that

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

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

replied gently with a

about her relationship with Rufus at

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

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

he held her hands and looked straight into her

Father, I promise. Thank

Cassandra so much

with her father. Sitting across him and holding his hands, she had never felt this loved by him in all

not recall a moment

even in her wildest imagination did she

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 love she felt right now made everything worth it.

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

having a family

much more

would 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

matter what Lionel did, nothing seemed to work. They needed help and they needed it

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