A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 145

Everyone knew that the wildly successful orchestral concert held in G City a few months ago was sponsored by the Tang Group. If they were ever interested in Amanda's concert, they sure would have made it show by talking with her agent already. Well, it's easy to be wise after the event.

"Mr. Tang, you are such a generous president. It is my greatest pelasure to host a solo concert in G City. We all know this city is rapidly expanding and its future looks bright, so it's an honor to gain recognition by the people here,"

voiced Amanda, her face masked with a smile, hiding her true feelings of disgust in her heart. Everybody knew Lionel was just a vice president, but Amanda called him 'president' to make him feel good. Lionel was easily complacent.

"No, no, no, it's our pleasure to invite such a rising star like you to host a concert in G City."

Lionel returned with a big, fat smile on his smug face.

"By the way, I heard that your wife, Cassandra Qin, has recently been awarded the best design in an international competition. She is so amazing considering she's the first Chinese to win such a prestigious award. You indeed have a good wife."

Amanda pretended that she didn't know about their divorce, mainly because she wanted to embarrass Lionel. 'Well, to be fair, they haven't made it public yet, ' thought Amanda.

Lionel winced slightly when he heard Cassandra's name, but quickly recovered. He recalled the strange feeling in his chest when he saw Cassandra this morning.

"Oh! I just saw your wife having coffee with Mr. Luo at the Starbucks by the corner. They really looked serious and seemed like they were discussing business. Such a dedicated duo!"

Her words were a bombshell. She didn't even give Lionel anytime to think about why she mentioned Cassandra and Rufus.

Upon hearing this, Lionel was speechless for a while. 'Cassandra having coffee with Rufus?'

He remembered Rufus always had Cassandra's back, and he even beat him up just for her. Lionel had always suspected something was up between the two, but he never had any hard evidence to show for it.

'She went to Rufus right after our divorce. Is there something going on between them?' Lionel mused inwardly.'

He didn't betray his thoughts to Amanda. To keep from the awkward situation, Lionel forced a smile and said, "Manager Qin is very busy these days. She was probably just discussing some of her designs with Mr. Luo."

He looked calm when he replied. However, there was turmoil deep inside his mind. He was starting to form a plan to verify his guess.

Although Lionel did well to disguise his agitation, Amanda saw through it easily.

"Please come to my concert, your wife is welcome as well. I'm afraid I must go now,"

Amanda beamed before turning around to leave his office, her back slowly shrinking from the distance.

Lionel's smile faded after she left. He then murmured to himself with a grim expression, "Cassandra..."

His tone was cold as ice that one who heard it would shiver.

'If she had an affair with Rufus while we were married, it would all make sense that she pushed Ivy down the stairs for me to divorce her. Kicking her out was too light a punishment. I will have to destroy her entire life, ' fumed Lionel in the deep recesses of his mind.

He decided he needed to make sure they were having an affair in the first place, and how they conspired with each other to use his unborn child to get rid of him.

Meanwhile, Cassandra showed the design to Rufus, promptly taking a sip of her pumpkin spiced latte afterwards.

"The design of the amusement park is basically finished, and you can always tell me if I need to adjust any details. I'm going to turn in my resignation this afternoon."

This was part of their divorce agreement—Leaving the Tang Group and no engagement of design work within two years.

Although the latter really hurt her career, Cassandra still looked calm.

Rufus met her eyes after scanning through the design.

"You don't have to follow the rules in the agreement. I can always talk to Horace if you really want this job. An agreement is just that...an agreement. You won't be breaking any laws just because you refuse to follow the terms,"

Rufus stated with a frown. He thought Cassandra was taking this too seriously.

Lionel asked Cassandra to leave the Tang Group, and it was the company that would be taking the hit. She was familiar with how the Group operated, and she had already become the rising star in her department. Her resignation would make a huge dent in the design apartment, causing a lot of public speculation.

The Tang Group was a heavyweight in G City, so it would greatly affect their image if it reached the media that the vice president divorced his wife and thew her out of the company. It was better to keep everything on a low profile. Rufus believed Horace would retain Cassandra in his employ after weighing out the pros and cons.

However, Cassandra slowly shook her head in refusal. As she ended her marriage with Lionel, she wanted to begin a new life with Rufus. She was adamant about leaving the Tang Group.

Besides, the Qin Group was in dire need of her leadership. She had decided to relocate the company to downtown for more convenient transportation and more abundant resources.

"I signed the agreement, and I shall honor it,"

Cassandra said firmly.

'Well, stubborn as usual. She must be really committed to a new life, ' Rufus thought as he stared at Cassandra intently.

"Is there anything I can do for your father's company?"

Rufus knew that the Qin Group was in a fine mess since major stockholders left.

"No need. I can handle it,"

answered Cassandra immediately. The last thing she wanted was asking for Rufus's help.

"Don't push yourself too hard. You'll be marrying me someday, so your business is mine as well,"

Rufus said lovingly as he placed his hand on Cassandra's hand gently.

"I've always told you that you will never be alone as long as I'm here."

He was extremely confident about his ability. The Qin Group still deserved to be saved, and he believed he could propel the company to the top. Cassandra was inexperienced, he was afraid she would get too stressed out without his help.

"Thank you, Rufus. But it's my father's business, so it's my burden to bear saving it,"

replied Cassandra with a serious tone. Her stubborness reminded Rufus of the little girl who spent all her money just for one doll in the claw machine.

Cassandra was truly different from other women. Usually a woman would cave as soon as the man offered his help, but not Cassandra.

"You make me lose my sense of achievement,"

Rufus playfully complained as he took his hand back and sat up rigid. He looked gentle, a stark contrast from his tone.

"Rufus, have you ever read 'To the Oak Tree'? It was written by a famous poet."

Taking a deep breath, Cassandra started, "If I love you—

I will never be a clinging trumpet creeper, using your high boughs to show off my height.

If I love you—

I will never be a spoony bird, repeating a monotonous song for green shade.

Or being the spring, bringing cool solace all year long.

Or be a steep peak, increasing your stature, reflecting your eminence, Even the sunlight, Even the spring rain.

No, all these are not enough.

I must be a ceiba tree beside you;

be the image of a tree standing together with you.

Our roots, entwined underground.

Our leaves, touching in the clouds.

With each gust of wind, we greet each other.

But nobody, can understand our words.

You'll have your copper branches and iron trunk, like knives, like swords, like halberds, too.

I'll have my crimson flowers, like heavy sighs, and valiant torches.

We'll share cold spells, storms and thunder.

We'll share mists, hazes and rainbows.

Seemingly always apart, but also forever interdependent.

Only this can be a great love.

The loyalty is here.

I love not only your strapping stature, but also your firm stand, the earth beneath you..."

Her face was animated when she recited the poem. It was her favorite ever since she was young.

The poem meant that love would need not only company, but also independence to last long.

Rufus looked intently at Cassandra, and cast a faint smile as she recited her poem.

Beyond the window in the distance, a pair of eyes were scowling at the couple.