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

shot one question after

and replied patiently.

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

her mind. The girl seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur with

knew, Arthur broke up with Cloris before. She even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting. It confused Cassandra to

"Arthur? I know him!"

more excited. Arthur was part of the business circle. Of course, he knew who he was.

happy for her. Arthur is a very good

Realizing that his daughter was dating

smile brought Cassandra joy, too.

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

the mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he

she was actually hoping that he would not investigate as this was a topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no

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

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

silent for a few seconds and then sighed

brother. What will the Tang family say when they find out that you plan to be their older

Rufus's identity had not reached him yet. It was a good thing that

the future, Father. Please let me just worry about

with a

energy to think about her relationship with Rufus at this moment. Currently, keeping

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

of yourself. Don't

he held her hands

promise. Thank you," she replied.

of her father's love overwhelmed Cassandra so much that she almost wanted

would share a moment like this with her father. Sitting across him and holding his hands, she had never felt this loved by him in all her life. It was as if she were in

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

wildest imagination did 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

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

understand the warmth of having a family and how it

was much more satisfying

convince him. He was very stubborn and nothing she did or said

already so deep into their problems. No matter what Lionel did, nothing seemed to work. They needed help and they needed

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