A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 234

"What kind of reward?"

Cassandra asked casually, all the while working with her hands.

Rufus's sculpted body and smooth skin glowed in the sunlight. While he was basking in his radiance, Cassandra tried hard to keep still and not to lose herself in his aura.

"Hmm… Well, the reward... is me."

Rufus swiftly turned and effectively pinned her down. The little woman couldn't move at all.

"Please let me go…"

"Now be a good girl and take a nap with me."

"But..but the bed is way too small for the two of us. I'll go upstairs and sleep there..."

Cassandra was caught in a dilemma, a hot one at that. She wasn't sure what to do.

The bed wasn't designed to fit two people. It was impossible for them to sleep beside each other; what Rufus meant was that she could lie down on his chest. But what if she accidentally hurt his injured leg?

His injuries hadn't fully healed yet. The thought of him still needing her for support when walking filled her with worry.

Rufus quickly realized that her hesitation stemmed from his injuries. But... Despite his broken leg, he had his ways.

Light streamed through the satin curtains and shed its radiance on the pair tangled on the bed. A golden mist surrounded the couple as the sunshine refracted.

"Your leg…"

Cassandra was about to go on a tirade about his injuries, but was rudely interrupted by his lips—effectively sealing her mouth, yet passionately.

They were everything that a couple was. They were, however, oblivious of the nearby voyeur who dilligently monitored all their actions…

Cassandra was more lively these days. All the employees in the company could attest to her glow.

Women in love were bound to change something in their lives, one way or another. Cassandra was proof of that. She had become even more attractive. Her look seemed more mature, and being in love had done wonders for her beauty.

Her office door swung open and her assistant peeked in and reported, "Manager Qin, someone by the name of Ling is looking for you."

The assistant beamed with a big smile at Cassandra, full of admiration. This was the first time she ever saw Michelle in person. 'So that is Michelle Lin, the well-known dress designer!' she exclaimed inwardly. 'God, I cannot believe I see her here in the Qin Group!'

"Well, invite her in!"

Caught off-guard by Michelle's suddent visit, Cassandra quickly groomed herself to get ready for the meeting.

Michelle was Rufus's aunt. When Rufus was still in physical therapy, Jasper and she visited him several times. Every time they came though, Michelle looked like she wanted to tell her something, but always looked hesitant. Maybe she didn't want to discuss it in front of Rufus. Most likely she wanted to talk privately. This bothered Cassandra for quite a long time.

Today, Michelle came to her company. Cassandra had a feeling she was going to talk to her about the things she was reluctant to discuss in Rufus's presence.

After a short wait, Michelle came in. She wore a gorgeous sapphire dress, which accentuated her curves. She was so glamorous.

Taking small elegant steps, she strode into the office and took her seat on the couch. She looked confident as she nodded at Cassandra.

"Michelle! What brings you here?"

Cassandra handed her guest a cup of Oolong tea and stood in front of her.

She never really addressed her as 'aunt', but she did know that Michelle was her elder, and Rufus's family to boot. So she respected her as such.

"Cassandra, let me be as clear and straight as possible. I think you and Rufus shouldn't continue this relationship of yours,"

coming straight to the point, Michelle asserted.

"Michelle, we love each other."

Cassandra felt wronged. Before the car accident, Michelle was in full support of their romance. But since that day, she completely turned around and was suddenly against it.

"Cassandra, love doesn't always mean being together. Sometimes, letting the person go to pursue his own passions is also a form of love!"

Michelle didn't mention the name of the other woman, but Cassandra had a strong feeling Michelle wanted her to give up so Amanda could take her place.

Michelle originally believed that regardless of Cassandra's social status and identity, she would support their relationship as long as it was Rufus's choice. However, what happened in the past two months made her doubt herself. She had the feeling that things weren't as simple as she believed to be.

In the party way back, Rufus spirited Cassandra away in his arms. This was essentially an announcement to everyone that Cassanda was his girlfriend. This was not only shameful for the Tang Group, but also the perfect headline for the media, which created different versions of their love story depending on the network.

Cassandra's identity had delicate circumstances—the ex-wife of Lionel Tang. This made the public speculate that her affair with Rufus, Lionel's elder brother, was the reason for their divorce. But, it would remain a mere suspicion, because there was no way the public could get to the bottom of things. Even though all the public could do was make their best guesses, it was enough to stimulate their curiosity. Soon, rumors were spreading like wild fire across G City, including Michelle, who was deeply disturbed.

Rufus was the only son of her elder sister. Now he was in the epicenter of a massive earthquake of gossip—everyone percieved him as the one who stole his younger brother's wife, and even acted as the third party when they were married. Michelle could barely stand it.

"I am really in love with Rufus. Unless he himself gives up on me, I will never agree to leave him."

Never did she come to find even a trace of Amanda these days. She thought that maybe her doubts about him were only her imagination, and perhaps she might have misunderstood him. Rufus still loved her, not Amanda.

How could Cassandra give up on this man who sacrificed so much for their love?

"Cassandra, you know how Rufus is. He's the kind of guy who would head straight for his goal without looking back. I know he loves you and is determined to be with you, but if you really do love him, you shouldn't besmirch his reputation, especially at this critical period in his career. After all, Lionel is his brother. Do you really want to see them bicker and fight as rivals?"

Michelle had heard about the awkward situation between Rufus and Lionel before. Even though it was hard to determine this early on who would inherit the Tang Group from Horace, they were already at each other's throats competing. Her sister definitely wouldn't want Rufus to take drastic measures against his brother, which was going to be a given if Cassandra continued her relationship with Rufus.

Furthermore, the Tang Family had no idea that Rufus owned TY Group.

The very reason he chose to stay with the Tang Group, at least from what Michelle understood, was to help the company get through the rough times. It was unacceptable to Michelle if Rufus failed to meet his goal because of Cassandra.

However, little did Michelle know about the true intention of Rufus as to why he remained in the Tang Family. She foolishly believed that the conflict derived solely from Cassandra.

"Michelle, I'd like to take this chance to tell you that I'm really not the reason for their rivalry. They're competing based on their business acumen. Surely I can persuade him to get off his brother's case, and even try to get along with the Tang Family. But, just how can I do that if you're asking me to end things with him?"

As she spoke, her eyes welled up.

It wasn't an easy thing to separate two people deeply in love. They were each other's home. No matter how carefully they separated from each other, they were bound to feel intense pain.

"Cassandra, just tell me already. What would it take for you to agree to leave Rufus?"

Michelle sneered Cassandra after being so blunt.

"Both you and I know how much Rufus is worth and how rich he is. Just give me a number. I'll write a cheque this instant!"

Her brows darted up and her nostrils flared. Michelle glared at the little woman, believing that money was the driving force of Cassandra's resolve for keeping their relationship alive.

"You've got it all wrong. If I truly wanted money, I wouldn't have divorced Lionel, and I definitely wouldn't have taken up the mantle in the Qin Group as well!" Cassandra exclaimed breathlessly.