A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 134

Then the room was enveloped with silence. The awkward situation held the two in a daze and they just dropped down their heads in an effort to avoid each other's eyes. It was Jasper who broke the silence.

"Oh! Forget it! We'd better not meddle in the way of the youngsters. Everything would be all right as long as we two can keep each other company."

Jasper held Michelle's hand while looking at her with his eyes filled with adoration.

Michelle let out a sigh of despair. It seemed that they had been left with no choice. She wished that they would get over it patiently and considerately. She didn't want her reckless actions in her youth been replayed by them.

Cassandra froze, eyeing the lift door closing before her. With Rufus's face gradually fading out of her sight, she felt like the world was being shut down upon her.

She was aching to jump up and hug him to reconcile; she wanted to be like any other woman who would run after their boyfriends and give them last-minute hugs before they go.

But she couldn't. She was Cassandra, the wife, though nominal, of Rufus's half-brother.

Her stomach churned at the thought of Rufus. She wanted desperately to go after him, but she stopped herself and pounded her chest slightly with one hand.

It felt so bad to be in a situation like that. She could do nothing but watch him go.

Tears welled up in her eyes in frustration.

Cassandra thought she was strong enough all this time. When her father was put into jail, she didn't lose her nerve but tried every way to minimize the negative impact of the aftermath.

But for the one she loved most, she felt powerless and could do nothing.

"Rufus..."

She whispered his name in a soft voice, but it sounded like she was so feeble and weak deep inside that no sound was coming out of her mouth.

Cassandra didn't realize until now that she had already fallen deeply in love with him. Her mind was always occupied by his occasional highhanded manner, his unspoken concern for her, and his ubiquitous care and support. Rufus had done so many things for her.

And she did just take them for granted. Cassandra had got used to his kindness. She needn't utter a word and he would jump out from somewhere to get her out of trouble on the dot, without hurting her sensitive pride.

Sadly, Cassandra had nothing to pay him back. She couldn't give him back the love he was showing her since she had to abide by the secular rules.

Such a forbidden love made her heart ache. Tears from her eyes trickled down, she looked sad and forlorn.

Feeling weak in the knees, Cassandra let herself squat down. She buried her head in her palms and sobbed bitter tears. The LED screen in front of her was displaying an ascending number, the elevator was going up.

It was getting closer and closer to the floor where she was squatting half-heartedly.

Then she heard a loud sound as the elevator came to a stop.

As the door slowly opened, she saw a pair of man's feet striding out of the lift and halted before her.

Cassandra raised her moist eyes, to her surprise Rufus's stoic face materialized in front of her. He gazed at her melancholically.

Surprised as she was, Cassandra hastened to get up, rubbed off her tears with her hands, and forced a smile to him.

"Why... Why did you come back?"

Instead of replying, Rufus reached over and clasped her to his chest. He just kept her in his arms, silently, as if trying to knead her into his body, into his blood, and into his soul.

Cassandra felt hard to breathe, but she didn't want to break away. She thought she would never regret even if she needed to pay the price of life just to be that close to him.

"Cassandra... Cassandra..."

The way he whispered her name in her ear sent shivers down her spine. There was a tinge of anguish in his low and deep voice.

"What's wrong, Rufus?"

His embrace was somewhat odd, she felt he was giving her a different hug from the way he did before. His hugs before were so possessive and captivating; now, however, it felt like he was holding on to her to stop her from disappearing.

Rufus remained silent, he was so immersed with Cassandra's warmth. With the surge of his emotions, he reached out to cup her chin with his hands. Slowly and gently he leaned down to give her a kiss.

It was just a tender kiss. His warm lips seemed to kiss away all her coldness and distress.

Cassandra sensed his sadness. She stayed still, leaving him to explore the fullness of her mouth.

His eyes went strange as the kiss grew deep. Cassandra knew that Rufus had so many mysteries buried deep down in his dark eyes.

She sank into the moment wishing the bliss to be forever, much more that she felt like being a priceless treasure cared for by its kind owner.

For a moment, he stopped kissing and let go of her. Cassandra was held back at the sudden interruption.

"Cassandra, from now on I want to be the first one to know when something has happened to you. You know what? I felt like I am such a loser if you prefer to turn to anyone else aside from me when you are in trouble,"

Rufus uttered in dismay, his eyes brimming with pain and adoration. He reached out to stroke her long hair and led her head to rest on his shoulders.

Earlier, he had just landed on the ground floor when Victor who was waiting for him informed him that someone had witnessed how Cloris recklessly poured the paint all over Cassandra.

Hearing the bad news, it suddenly dawned on Rufus why Cassandra took a bath at Dylon's place. It must be that she wanted to remove the paint before going back to the Tangs.

He felt sorry for her and immediately turned back to console her. As soon the elevator door opened, he was dumbfounded to see Cassandra in tears.

Her shoulders shook incessantly with sobs. The tears on her innocent face stung his heart.

He hadn't expected such a minor misunderstanding would put this woman under such pain and distress. Rufus knew that she was sensitive but not to this extent. He took the blame and felt guilty for hurting her.

Under his affectionate and caring gaze, Cassandra couldn't help but feel relieved. She nodded and said, "You will be the first one to know whatever happens to me, I promise."

Tears sparkled in her eyes, like glistening stars breaking through the night sky.

Rufus let out a sigh and reached out to hold her in his arms. They both enjoyed each other's warmth; and Cassandra felt way better than earlier. Sensing that she was comforted, Rufus took her hand and led her downstairs.

"Rufus, Cassandra, how is the project going on?"

Rufus and Cassandra had barely stepped into the hall when Horace got up from the couch and asked them.

Cassandra was about to tell him that she was rejected today when Rufus spoke to answer his question, "I don't think we can recapture the whole project of the amusement park, but we might be able to get half of it. Besides, the design of the Ferris wheel, the significant landmark, will be assigned to us."

There was a look of assurance and confidence on his face.

Upon hearing the reply, Horace breathed a sigh of relief. He had hoped it would be a fat chance to retrieve the whole project.

Now that Arthur had managed to grab this project from the Tang Group, he must have put much effort into it. Even if the Tang Group had some insider to mediate over things, there was no guarantee that they would retrieve it all.

The current solution might serve the best ending, neither the Tang Group nor the Dawn Star Group would win.

Cassandra tried to hold back her shock. How come she heard no word of this news? When had Rufus retrieved the half of the project? How did he manage that?

Plus the Ferris wheel? Was it going to be designed by the Tang Group now?

Her heart raced at the thought of the big wheel. At one point, Cassandra had given up. She didn't entertain any hope, deeming that the landmark would never have anything to do with her anymore.

She cast a glance of appreciation at Rufus, for saving her this time against Horace's inquisitive eyes. She knew he was doing it for her.

She was brought back to her senses when someone rushed into the hall. It was Lionel. He was obviously surprised by the immediate appearance of Rufus and Cassandra.

"Lionel, you will be a father soon. Don't be so reckless anymore! What is the matter?"

Horace chided, frowning. 'When would I need not to worry about Lionel anymore? This son of mine is not an asset to the business, ' Horace couldn't help but think about this.

Glancing at Cassandra, Lionel opened his mouth and was about to say something but stopped abruptly.

"Shoot it! Don't hem and haw!"

Horace tightened his eyebrows, this time more annoyed at Lionel.

Upon his father's tough demand, Lionel spoke straight, "Today, the lawyer informed me that we have fewer shares compared to the other party who had already got 60%, so this means that we can't acquire the Qin Group!"

An ominous silence followed as soon as he finished his words. All eyes were on him, though different expressions had shown on everyone's face.

Cassandra was astounded—she was still in the Tang family, yet they couldn't wait to take over her father's business. Their actions had no difference from robbery.

A scornful smile grew over Rufus's face. 'How could Lionel be so insensitive and stupid at the same time?'

Horace pointed at Lionel with his trembling hand. Given his look, no one would doubt that he wouldn't be repulsed by the idea of strangling his son at this point.

"You... How dare you... That's not what I am asking you!

You brainless thing! How could you speak of this in Cassandra's presence? It was so embarrassing!" Horace cursed his son.

"Father, didn't you just force me to say it?"

Lionel seemed to have realized his blunder before he resolutely passed the buck.

Jill hurried to come over and tried to smooth things over, seeing her husband shaking with anger.

"Stop talking about the business. Let's first sit down and have a meal. All of you have been busy recently and come back home late. Hurry or our meal would turn cold!"

Jill dragged Horace to the dining room, for fear that he would jump up to kick her son.

Embarrassed and mad beyond words, Horace staggered the way, eager to escape the demeaning scene.

Lionel, Rufus and Cassandra, were held dazed at the hall. No one dared to disturb the strange atmosphere in the air.

"Rufus, how does it feel to have the equity of Gary's wife, was it great?"