A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 147

Everyone panicked as they heard a sudden shout. Unaware where it was coming from, they looked around and finally found Lionel. He was standing in the doorway with a sullen face.

Cassandra, on the other hand, shared the surprise too. She couldn't believe it was Lionel who had let out the cry.

'Didn't he ask me to leave the Tang Group for the divorce deal? Why is he around to embarrass me all over again?' thought Cassandra looking agitated.

"Mr. Tang, President Luo has approved my resignation. It is the corporation's rule that dismissal of a managerial personnel should be approved by both the board of directors and the president. But resignation only requires the president's approval," Cassandra replied.

While speaking, she tried her best to be patient. She intended to reason with Lionel. The smile she had earlier started to fade. Now it was replaced with an emotionless look.

The whole place contained pin drop silence. Following Lionel's rebuke, nobody in the personnel department apart from Cassandra dared to speak. In a hurry, everyone turned their heads away from this conversation and made an attempt to busy themselves.

However, Cassandra was well aware that their ears were still trying to make out their conversation. Turning around was only a facade to look good in front of Lionel. But curiosity was killing everyone present there.

"Yes, I am the one who has the permission to resign you. There is no way you can leave without my approval. My signature is required for you resignation. Without it, you are trapped!" Lionel spat out with rage.

After that, he stormed towards the Director of the Personnel Department and grabbed Cassandra's resignation and ID card from his desk. Swiftly he handed them to Cassandra and warned, "Take back your resignation. You cannot leave here unless you have my signature. Put on the card and continue observing the corporation rules!"

Lionel knitted his eyebrows as he glared at her. Cassandra kept still and didn't bother taking the things from Lionel.

At the moment, she was speechless and thought his behavior was surprising. 'How can Lionel be so fickle? It was he who forced me to sign the divorce agreement. And now he is acting completely different. Why is he ridiculously stopping me from leaving here?' she wondered.

"Mr. Tang, I have submitted my resignation to Mr.Luo and he has approved it. I will cooperate with you if you need any support in the future. It is certain that my resignation has come into effect as Mr.Luo has already signed it. From now on, I am not an employee of the Tang Group, therefore I am under no obligation to comply to the rules set by this corporation."

As she uttered these words, there was a look of resolution on her face. She seemed firm and wouldn't budge.

In the past few years, she had suffered a lot from this marriage. Marriage was supposed to give her a happy life but she never got to experience it. All of the beautiful dreams were ruined by this absurd marriage.

Lionel had never managed to fulfill any of the responsibilities that a husband should. Moreover, he was unfaithful to her and got another woman pregnant. To top it all, he had the audacity to bring that woman to their house in order to care for her.

Up until today, she had swallowed all the pain and humiliation. She did all this for the well-being of her family. She believed this would make their lives easy.

But when his father was in trouble, her so-called husband just stood by and watched the drama. Furthermore, he bought equities from the shareholders when her father was in prison, attempting to annex her father's corporation.

Now she saw no need to tolerate him any longer. The sole reason why she was forced to live with him was gone and now she was an independent woman.

All these years, he had never shown any respect for her. In truth, she didn't mind the fact that he didn't love or care for her; but he didn't even consider her human enough for respect.

Lionel, on the other hand, was quite frustrated hearing Rufus had approved her resignation. He started pulling on his hair like a wild animal in rage. Quickly, he moved a step closer to her.

"You cannot leave this place without my approval!" he screamed.

Despite the anger in his voice, he was well aware that he had wronged Cassandra. Deep down he knew he had to let her go. However, there was a voice in his mind that begged him to stop her. The idea of her leaving was impossible for him to imagine.

His mind was full of regret. He even turned panicky when he found he was unable to approach this woman as her husband.

Earlier, Lionel had thought that his true love was Ivy. He thought she was way better than Cassandra in every aspect. Back then Cassandra seemed plain and boring.

He made up his mind telling himself that she wasn't his type. But now as he watched her get out of his control, something inside him turned wild. He had this newfound passion for her.

Lionel began to utter more nonsense in front of everyone.

It was hard for Cassandra to overlook her colleagues who began winking at each other. Lionel's manner must have left them shocked and surprised.

To get rid of his badgering, she realized she had to do something. Standing still was not an option anymore.

"Lionel, wake up! Don't live life as if you were sleepwalking all day!"

With that she strode by him and stepped out of the Personnel Department. Standing outside the building of the Tang Group, she gave out of sigh of relief. She was relieved that she didn't even bother to listen to Lionel's snarls.

"Cassandra, stop! If you leave now, this door will be closed forever!"

Lionel looked almost hysterical. 'So did I just drive Cassandra out of here?' He thought helplessly. It was absurd that he didn't love or care for her while she was with him all these years.

Lionel gazed blankly at her back, but he was unable to see the relief on her face.

'Farewell, Lionel; farewell, the Tang Group; farewell, my absurd past...

And farewell my youth!' she celebrated inwardly.

From now on, Cassandra realized she needed to be stronger. Life won't be easy and she needed to shoulder the responsibilities to revive the Qin Group. Her family needed her, and she had Rufus as her support, so she must move on!

She hoped one day she would become an upright tree of kapok, stand by Rufus and look equally confident with him.

Cassandra had prepared a hearty meal and was eagerly waiting for Rufus.

All the tables and chairs were spotless. Looking at her own effort and hard-work, she was brimming with contentment.

In the courtyard, half of the flowers she bought were planted. The cold breeze led them to sway back and forth. A small smile grew over on her lips, like the freshest flower bud.

Of course it must be Rufus who had planted those flowers. The soil in the roots was still fresh brown in color.

Sometimes he seemed harebrained, yet he was extremely careful every now and then. Seeing the flowers on the lawn, she could picture him in the yard taking the trouble of strengthening them. Secretly Cassandra hoped they could sat by the window and enjoy the bloom together one day.

Rufus's Land Rover headed into the garage of the yard. He got off with a large bouquet of red roses in his hand.

Cassandra flushed scarlet as she saw him enter the house.

The rose looked so beautiful and dazzling! He beamed and walked to Cassandra with the smile that was more beautiful than the flowers.

At this moment, he looked devastatingly handsome and Cassandra found it hard to peel her eyes off him.

Rufus stopped right next to her and handed the bouquet to her. Quickly Cassandra grabbed it and wrapped her arms around it. It was such a big bunch that she could barely hold it.

She bent down her head and the rich fragrance of rose filled her nose. It was such an intoxicating feeling.

"The dinner is ready, let's eat."

Cassandra felt the pounding of her heart in the chest. She tried to suppress her thrill, but her trembling voice gave her away.

"What dinner? Isn't it settled that I would feast on you today?"

Rufus playfully arched his eyebrow, reached out to wrap the woman into his arms but she immediately dodged him with her lithe move.

"Don't touch me or the rose will be messed!"

Hugging the roses, Cassandra looked around, unsure where to place them. This was the first time that Rufus had given her flowers. There was no way she would leave them anywhere. She treasured them very much.

Rufus's perfect lips curled into an amusing smile as he watched her fly about in the hope of finding a good place to set the bouquet.

"Place them wherever you want. If you like it so much then I will buy it for you every day!"

Rufus offered. To please the pretty woman in front of him, he was willing to do anything.

"Don't, it doesn't sound good. If you do it everyday then it won't be a surprise!" she dismissed his offer. She didn't want to bother him.

Cassandra finally found a woven basket made of bamboo. Originally she planned to put sundries in it. But now it seemed to fulfill a good function loading such an amazing rose bouquet.

Cassandra carefully unwrapped the paper binding the roses and placed the nutrient soil on the bottom of the basket. Carefully, she inserted the roses one by one into the soil.

Dew was still on the petals of the roses. Cassandra loved fragrance that was permeating the air. It seemed like Rufus and these roses had completely changed the atmosphere.

She was so busy with the task that she didn't notice when Rufus stood behind her. Shock went through her whole body when she felt his arms clasp around her body. His head was leaning on her shoulder now.

"If you keep me waiting longer then I will really have to feast on you!"