A Graduation Gift

"They carried out all the work under my approval. I'm the one responsible. Mr. Luo. If you're going to fire everyone involved in
this case, am I included?"
Lionel probed provocatively as he sat up with his two hands on the conference table. His gloomy eyes stared coldly at Rufus,
who was occupying the center seat.
With an insignificant smile on his face, Rufus raised his head slowly and tapped the table with his index finger.
"The company had lost a large amount of money because of this case. They screwed it up. The solution they've provided was
ineffective and only worsened the situation. I didn't know that the staff at such a big company like Tang Group could be so
incompetent!" Rufus emphasized, creating an apprehensive atmosphere in the room. "However, it was not just about
competence. Worst still, there are people attempting to take advantage of preferential treatments and fill their own pockets with
the company's money,"
Rufus added gravely without giving much attention to Lionel. His voice was low but stern and steady. He intended to present his
ideas logically. Thus, everyone present could clearly understand his point and no one dared to say anything to oppose him.
Discerning Rufus' words, Lionel's face grew darker. Lionel narrowed his eyes at the few staff members, who had just been fired.
They lowered their heads to avoid the furious eyes of their superior.
Until then Lionel realized that these people had been feathering their own nests. It infuriated him to think that he had no idea of
what they had done. Realizing that he was somewhat in the wrong, Lionel sat down silently with a baffled expression.
"So I guess we should call it a day. That's all for today's meeting. As for you guys, what you have done has violated the laws.
The legal department will decide what to do with you. I hope that everyone in the company could learn a lesson from them.
Anyone who will dare to make the same mistakes in the future will be punished severely,"
Rufus emphasized, with a demanding voice. He wore a light smile on his face and his brown eyes looked less drained. His aura
bore an air of authority, which no one dared to challenge.
It was like beating the dog before the lion. Lionel, as the vice president of Tang Group could say nothing to argue with Rufus.
Casting a resentful glance at Rufus, Lionel stood up and took the lead in leaving the meeting room.
He knew that Rufus was trying to use this incident as a pretext to crack down on him. But he was not a man that could be easily
defeated.

Then everybody left the room in succession. Rufus sat still in his seat. Cassandra, on the other hand, slowly gathered the papers
on the table while stealing glances at Rufus.
After a moment, there were only two of them left in the room.
"Do you have something to tell me?" Rufus asked smilingly as he walked towards her with his eyes fixed on her charming face.
Instinctively Cassandra lifted her head and her eyes met Rufus ever alluring eyes. Feeling her heart throbbed faster, she quickly
lowered her head and asked, "Are...are you all right?"
Those simple worlds betrayed the abundance of her heart.
Undoubtedly, she was showing concern for Rufus.
He had been gone for several days and returned suddenly without any traces of mourning. Cassandra had learned from Horace
that Rufus's mother passed away several days ago. He was supposed to be in the hollows of losing his mother, but he acted as if
nothing had happened.
"What do you mean? You think I shouldn't fire those staffs?"
Rufus inquired as he tidied his sleeves and pulled her closer so that she could face him.
Cassandra jerked at his touch and shivers were running down her spine. Rufus misunderstood her. However, she was in no
mood to explain herself. She quickly took her papers.
"Nevermind, I'm going back to work."
With that, Cassandra turned towards the door and hurried herself out before Rufus reached to her again. He stopped and looked
at her, gently putting his hands in his pockets.
The smile on his lips vanished as Cassandra walked out of his sight. The friendly expression on his face turned into rage and
vehement. In his thoughts, the war between Lionel and him had just begun.
"Wow! He is so handsome and so cool!"
Stella bursted out. She was openly expressing her admiration for Rufus at Cassandra's office. Cassandra on the contrary just
smiled and shook her head at the careless girl.

"Isn't he, Cassandra? Such a man like Mr. Luo is really attractive! Did you see Lionel's poker face! I've never seen him so
frustrated. Ha-ha..."
Stella chuckled excitedly, cradling her head in her hands and recalled what had happened at the meeting.
"By the way, Stella, what are you doing here? Don't tell that you are just here to tell me how infatuated you are with Mr. Luo,"
Cassandra asked, rolling her eyes at Stella then back to her monitor to continue with her work.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right. Well, I'm not busy at all today. I've got lots of time. Would you like to go out with us after work? We'll
just eat and sing our hearts out. It would be fun. I'll introduce you to the handsome guys in my department," Stella said with a
warm smile.
Stella was a 'Silent Beauty' type of girl. When she was not talking, she looked pretty and elegant. However, once she opened her
mouth, and words kept popping out as if she couldn't control them, it made her look like a noisy sparrow.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I have to work overtime,"
Cassandra rejected politely, with a little bit of tired expression on her face. She was a married woman, not as free as single girls
like Stella. Usually, she went home directly or worked overtime.
She preferred to stay late at the company rather than go home and pretend to be the meek and well-behaved daughter-in-law.
Thinking about it, Cassandra couldn't help but feel sad for herself.
"Okay, then. You now own the crown of the 'real workaholic.' I'm going back. In case you change your mind and would love to
unwind for a while, just let me know,"
Stella said with a tone of regret. Then she stood up and walked out in a hurry as she noticed the time on the wall-clock.
"Okay," Cassandra replied while raising her head. She was amused to see Stella running away. With a smile on her face,
Cassandra sighed and reckoned, 'Stella has no enthusiasm for work until it becomes urgent.'
Just as Cassandra braced herself and was about to continue with her work, a man came at the door and said politely, "Excuse
me, Manager Qin." Cassandra recognized the man. He was Rufus's assistant. He came with him into the company.

"I'm Mr. Luo's assistant, Leo. Mr. Luo is going to negotiate with a partner about the case mentioned in the meeting. You're going
with him, since you're our chief designer. Here is the air ticket for the flight tonight."
With that, Leo put the ticket down in front of Cassandra and then walked away. Cassandra sat there silently, completely baffled
and didn't know what to do.
The news had completely taken her aback. "Going on a business trip with Rufus tonight?" she murmured.
She was not sure whether she understood Leo right. But before she could think about confirming the information, Leo was
already gone. She picked up the ticket on the desk and frowned at what she saw. It was indeed true that she had to leave for a
business trip with Rufus.
Imagining Rufus' face, she became nervous. She convinced herself that they were just going for work, but that couldn't relieve
her tension.
On the other hand, Lionel had just returned to his office. He furiously shoved all the items off the desk, littering them on the floor.
"Shit!" he cursed loudly.
His secretary was too scared to move and just stood by silently. Lionel's face turned red out of anger. He was so furious of his
subordinates. They did something against the law and dragged his name through mud. Rufus found out about it and took
advantage of the situation to push him down the ladder of the company's totem pole. That was a solid slap on his face.
The slap in return taught him a lesson.
"Keep a close watch on our staffs. Tell them that if anyone dared to misbehave behind my back, they would have the worst days
of their lives. I'll make them suffer!"
Lionel shouted at his secretary as he kicked over the bonsai to the ground.
"Yes, Mr. Tang. I'll assure you such case will never happen again,"
the secretary nodded, hesitant to say something more.
"What are you waiting for! Get out!"
Lionel shouted again. His anger was once more triggered by the secretary. But the secretary stayed and slowly said something.
Her words were stammering.

"Mr. Luo has taken over the case. He will take the flight tonight to meet with the partner. And, and, and Manager Qin will go with
him..."
The secretary closed her eyes, not daring to see the towering rage brewing on Lionel's face.