A Graduation Gift

She knew there was no need for her to worry about what they would talk about. No matter what it was, her father would definitely
take her side.
Once she was out of the room, Charlie's demeanor changed into a more serious air. He looked at Rufus with a deep, penetrating
gaze and asked, "Rufus, are you sure you will marry Amanda?"
Any trace of his earlier cheerfulness was now gone from his face. Charlie had asked Amanda to leave, knowing that she would
possibly be hurt by the conversation. Rufus's expression did not escape him. He knew that something was wrong.
Rufus held the older man's gaze with his own. "To be honest, Charlie, I don't want to marry her."
Rufus did not like taking the roundabout way of doing things. After all, Charlie was his mentor. He gave him his answer directly.
Now that there was only the two of them, there was nothing holding him back from speaking his mind.
Charlie's face visibly hardened at his answer. "But why did you... why did you stay with her last night!"
Rufus had expected his outburst. The older man's hands shook as he tried to hold his anger.
'Since when did Rufus become such an irresponsible man?! Just last night, he has slept with Amanda, and now he is saying he
doesn't want to marry her? What is this bastard thinking?' Charlie cursed inwardly.
"You know perfectly why. I care for Amanda because I think of her as a sister. The woman I love is Cassandra."
Rufus's face softened as he spoke of Cassandra. A gentle expression appeared on his face as he mentioned her name.
"Pfft. Love be damned! You're not thinking clearly. That woman isn't good enough for you!"
Charlie had Cassandra investigated a long time ago. He learned that she had close relations with Rufus despite being married to
his brother Lionel. When Rufus's aunt Michelle went to talk to her to put a stop to their relationship, they had a quarrel which
ended with Michelle falling down from the third floor.
She was worthless. She had nothing to her name and a torn reputation in everyone's eyes. But Rufus was saying that he loved
her! Charlie couldn't believe the ridiculousness of it all.
Rufus bit his tongue against the sharp words that were threatening to go out from his mouth. He had always respected Charlie,
and he had no plans of disrespecting him now.

"All of those are nothing but rumors. If you know her better, you would understand. I have never met a more honest woman in all
my life,"
Rufus said, and meant every word he said. He looked into Charlie's eyes as he spoke, as if to prove the sincerity of his words.
Charlie snorted and returned his gaze with disdain.
"I don't care whether you love her or not," he spat. "You are with my daughter now, and you had better stop screwing around with
other women." He took a step closer to Rufus. "Forget that damned woman. Remember, you are going to marry my daughter,"
Charlie pushed, his tone full of threat.
Rufus was clearly ensnared in that evil woman's trap. It would seem that she was an expert in manipulating rich men using her
beauty. She would not be the first. Charlie had seen his fair share of her sort in his life.
"I will not forget her,"
Rufus answered back in a firm tone. That woman had filled his mind, even as he stared into the older man's eyes. He started to
miss her now.
It had been a long time since they had last seen each other. She was trying to break free from him, and he knew that. He would
give her all the time in the world to think, if that was what she needed. He would wait for her for a lifetime, if that was what it took.
In the end, he was sure that they would find their way back to each other.
"I don't give a shit about what you think. You will marry Amanda. Leave that woman and stay away from her starting from this
day!"
Charlie raised his hand to the air before Rufus could say anything more. There was no way he could take Rufus's words
seriously. He would make sure that his daughter would get what she wanted.
"There's one more thing. Don't go back to G City. You will be coming back to Dark Night with me. There are problems that need
immediate attention."
Charlie didn't want to waste his time discussing about Cassandra with Rufus. That woman only served to sour his mood. He
opted instead to speak about his real purpose for coming.
"Problems?"

Rufus's brows furrowed in confusion.
Since he left the group, he had devoted himself to building a name for himself, and not once did he involve himself in Dark
Night's matters. Why was Charlie mentioning it to him now?
"It's about Clark. Word has reached us that he's involved in some shady business," Charlie muttered.
Rufus froze upon hearing the name. There was no way he would forget that name.
Back when he was still being trained in the Group, Clark had specifically singled him out and nitpicked his every move. He had to
grit his teeth against this treatment and suffered in silence thanks to him.
Because Clark was the son of their boss, and fighting back against him would only bring worse things.
Besides, he had no time to concern himself with making enemies, especially not a spoiled brat like Clark. His first and foremost
target was Horace.
Of course, he had made the smart decision. Clark disappeared from his life the moment he left Dark Night Group.
He made no attempt to concern himself with his whereabouts either. The last thing he had heard was that Clark took over Dark
Night Group after his father's death. But why was Charlie talking to him about Clark?
"Some shady business? What do you mean?" Rufus asked, feigning ignorance.
Word passed quickly in the business, and so of course, rumors would reach him even if he did not actively seek it out. However,
he pretended to know nothing. He and Clark were in different worlds now, and he did not want to concern himself about his
business.
"He sells drugs,"
Charlie squeezed the words through gritted teeth. It was the lowest of the low. Clark had been involved in it left an unforgivable
tarnish in the group's reputation.
"What do you plan to do then?"
Rufus merely cocked a brow at Charlie's revelation. He appeared not to be shocked at all.

At this point, nothing about Clark would surprise him anymore. He could be in prison, for all he cared.
"Gather enough evidence, kick him out, and then find another man to take over the group."
Charlie held nothing back about his plans from Rufus. He might be a fool when it came to women, but he was unrivalled when it
came to work.
Rufus frowned and paused in thoughtful silence.
'I can't get involved in it. I have more important things to do, ' he told himself.
"You will help me, right, Rufus? You were trained by Dark Night, and you will always be a member of it, whether you like it or not.
You can't just stand by and let this happen!" Charlie demanded.