A Graduation Gift

It was such an embarrassing situation. Horace had just taken away the amusement park project from Cassandra and appointed
it to another designer. But the Dawn Star Group got in his way when he thought he had the deal properly set up. How could he
ever face Cassandra now?
Lionel was just as stunned. He never really gave his attention to the project, so he wasn't the least bit aware that Cassandra was
a large contributor to the project.
The moment turned sour and awkward. Everyone was silent. It was so still in the room that everyone could possibly hear a pin
drop.
"Don't worry. Rufus and I will visit the person responsible tomorrow,"
Cassandra broke the ice. She sighed deeply. No one would be able to leave if they remained deadlocked like this.
"Okay then. Tell him that you'll still be the lead designer of the project."
Horace pushed the boat along with the current, letting Cassandra take back the project. It left him with no other choice, anyway.
He dreaded to think what would happen next.
"Please excuse me now. I'm tired. I want to rest up for tonight,"
Cassandra said and turned directly for her bedroom upstairs, carrying her luggage with her. She was relieved after she closed
the door.
The atmosphere in the living room a moment ago was suffocating. A bitter smile curled the corners of Cassandra's mouth.
She knew for a fact that the Tang family had been keeping a wary eye on her. They excluded her from several projects and even
tried to take over her father's company, but she didn't have the courage to retaliate against them.
Anyway, they had helped Qin Group once when it was in trouble. If it hadn't been for them, Qin Group would have gone bankrupt
long ago.
'Well, it's to repay their kindness. After this project, we will be even, and I can leave at ease, ' she mused.
Back in the master room, Jill was still grumbling, "Why did you let Cassandra take over the park project? Didn't you want to cut
her out? She is already planning a divorce! What is your point of keeping her here? That woman is thinking about leaving us!"

Jill was upset at the thought of Cassandra, who wanted a divorce before the Tang family abandoned her as the daughter of a
prisoner.
"This project is important. If we complete it successfully, we will sure be getting the upcoming projects in the next few years. She
can be of help to us, so I'm willing to make a compromise. We have to look at the bigger picture and break some eggs to make
an omelet."
Horace unbuttoned his coat and went to bed. It had been a long and tiring day, and he was exhausted; but he felt relieved as
Rufus and Cassandra finally came back to help him.
"Humph! This compromise is way too risky. You know what? Arthur brought his girlfriend to his mother's birthday party. Guess
who his girlfriend is!"
Jill gave Horace an enigmatic smile, as if she had a big secret.
"Does his girlfriend have anything to do with us?"
Horace cocked an inquisitive eyebrow at Jill.
"It has everything to do with us. His girlfriend is Cloris, Cassandra's sister!" Jill said slyly.
Horace looked up at Jill in surprise.
"What? Seriously? Are you sure?"
Jill nodded. She was pretty sure as she had run across them twice.
A deep frown marred Horace's face. Little did he think that Cloris would date the young master of Tang Group's worst enemy.
Besides, Cloris was Cassandra's sister. Things were starting to get even more complicated.
Many possibilities flashed across Horace's mind, and each of them would lead to a horrible disaster.
'Has Cassandra gone over to the Dawn Star Group?'
Horace was shocked by such an atrocious idea. If the answer was yes, that would explain why Cassandra insisted on getting a
divorce—she would have the chance to leave Tang Group after getting out of her marriage.

Now, her sister was on the side of Dawn Star Group. It was very likely that she would hop to that group one day. Moreover,
without the marital bonds, she could work anywhere she liked although she had to pay the liquidated damages.
Horace sent Cassandra to study architecture and design in Rome. She wouldn't make such great achievements in the design
circles if not for his support. However, she repaid him with ungratefulness considering that she now wanted to work for Dawn
Star Group.
Fury flashed through Horace's eyes. He believed that it was Arthur who helped Cassandra solve her father's problem in a very
short time. At that time, he doubted how she could have preserved Qin Group so smoothly and whether someone had helped
her secretly.
Now these facts were enough to prove that he was right.
"Cassandra must have already taken Arthur's side,"
Jill deduced quietly. Seeing that Horace was deep in thought, she knew what exactly was going on in his head.
"Do not tell anyone about it. Let's pretend that we don't know about the affair. It won't bode well for our relationship with
Cassandra. We still need her."
Horace's face turned stormy and cold. Inside, there was a maelstrom of churning emotions.
'Cassandra, ' he contemplated, 'Do you think you are strong enough to leave me?
Even if you want to fly away, I'll make sure to break your wings, so that you can never fly again!'
Cassandra felt incredibly worn out after returning from Norway. She took a shower to relax herself completely. When she walked
out from the bathroom, she was shocked by the man who suddenly appeared in her bedroom.
"Can you stop showing up like that? You scared me."
Cassandra glared at Rufus. She could tell from his mischievous smile that he was up to something. The woman narrowed her
eyes at him.
"I need to discuss something with you."
Rufus's face changed to a serious expression.

"Can't it wait untill tomorrow morning? You always ambush me whenever I'm unprepared. I must look horrible right now,"
Cassandra felt awkward as her hair was in a terrible mess. She didn't expect Rufus to come to her room now, or she would have
toweled her wet hair.
"Where is the hair dryer? Let me help you dry your hair."
Rufus changed the topic and looked at her tenderly and lovingly.
Cassandra sat on the edge of the bed and looked blank. Before she could respond, Rufus had grabbed the hair dryer and ruffled
her hair loose.
Her hair was thick, glossy and in tip-top condition. She never saw the need to dye it. The dark hair hung loose over her
shoulders.
Rufus held the hair dryer in his right hand and inserted his left hand into her hair. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she felt
the warmth of his hand on her skin.
Feeling his hand in the hair massaging her head gently, Cassandra felt completely relaxed and slowly close her eyes.
The temperature of the hair dryer was just right. The warm wind blew her wet hair, making her feel cozy.
Rufus stroked her hair, fingers grazing against her ear.
He looked down seeing her earlobe turn pink, and suddenly felt an irresistible impulse to kiss her.
The man turned off the hair dryer, put it aside and turned to look at her, their faces only inches apart.
He slowly held her face in his hands and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
Cassandra faltered for a bit, but returned the kiss. It was a tender and passionate kiss. Afterwards, Rufus slowly broke away,
then held her in his arms without doing anything else.
Cassandra stared at him, eyes hooded and dark. She knew he had promised that he wouldn't touch her until the divorce was
final. This man had alway cared for and been considerate of her.
Rufus looked at her and admitted to himself how aroused he was, but he knew he couldn't go any further.

The next day, Rufus and Cassandra went to visit the person in charge of the project, but his secretary said that he had
something else to do and could not meet them today.
"It must be an excuse! Obviously, there is no other room for negotiation!"
Cassandra was aggrieved after they left the office building. Both parties had agreed to sign the contract later, and the Tang
Group had finished the design draft and the prep work; but now they were replaced by Dawn Star Group suddenly.
"They must be declaring war. Let's pick up the gauntlet then!"
Rufus gritted his teeth in anger. His face looked as rigid as stone.
"What do you mean?"
Cassandra's eyes darted at Rufus's trembling frame. He seemed to have a vicious idea.
"Since they stole our project, we might as well beat them at their own game."