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 treating Cloris

question after another.

and

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

said as Cloris's lovestruck face appeared in her mind. The girl seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur

She even came back just

"Arthur? I know him!"

was part of the business circle. Of

her. Arthur is a

his face. Realizing that his daughter was dating a great man

Cassandra

with your love life then, Cassandra. By the way, who were you talking about? Who is your

mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he did seem to

would not investigate as this was a topic she would have

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!

worried that Vernon might object. As best as she could, she explained the situation and put in as many good words for Rufus

for a few seconds and

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

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

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

with a bitter

even have the time and energy to think about her

Vernon's heart ache. Would Horace agree if she married his other

care of yourself. Don't allow yourself to be hurt,

he held her hands and looked straight into

promise. Thank you,"

so much that she almost wanted to

across him and holding his hands,

recall a moment in her childhood where she felt that he loved her. He

even in her wildest imagination did

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

wanted to tell him how she felt, how beautiful these kinds of moments were, and how

warmth of having a family and how it was worth

much more satisfying

it 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 to him.

Lionel did, nothing seemed to work. They needed help and

it would have been Rufus's responsibility to lend a hand. But unfortunately, absorbed