A Graduation Gift

Winter was coming, along with the howling north wind. A branch snapped off a tree in the wind, while another branch of the
same tree showed no signs of weakness. In fact it seemed to have been strengthened by the fall of the other branch.
Tang Group was as same as the unaffected branch. Stable in the face of difficulties, the company had become better under
Rufus's leadership.
It was time for most companies to invite bids in the winter and Rufus was not only winning bids in G City but also expanding and
scaling up operations in other cities.
More and more of the projects also brought Cassandra and Rufus chances to work together.
'Rufus is charming when he's focused at work. He stands out from the crowd by his confidence and charisma. When he speaks
at meetings...'
Cassandra shook her head to stop her train of thought. 'He is the last man I could fall in love with.'
Distracted, her thoughts wandered to Lionel, who rarely showed up in the company these days.
'It's a good thing, ' thought Cassandra, as she would have more time and motivation to work.
Beyond the question, Horace was satisfied with Rufus. Although it was the first stint for Rufus working with the Tang Group, he
was quite able as a leader. Everyone looked up to him and believed he was someone worthy of staying at the helm of the
company.
Going by how well the company was doing, Horace believed that Rufus was better suited than Lionel for leadership. In a short
time, Rufus had come up with a new proposal for expansion - a move which would see the Tang Group diversify to other areas
beyond real estate.
The increasingly busy schedule for Rufus however got Horace concerned that the young man might have little time to think about
marriage.
"Rufus, there is a wine party next week," began Horace, careful in broaching the subject. "I think it's a great event for meeting
young people of your age. Who knows, you could find yourself a wife at such events," he added, carefully watching Rufus's
reaction.

As much as he could, Horace tried to keep the talk causal. Although he was being implicit, everyone at the table had realized
what he meant.
Knowing that Ivy's tummy was getting bigger and bigger day by day, Lionel thought he had the game in his hands. 'I'll take her for
an ultrasound scan. If it's confirmed to be a boy, I'll gain an advantage that could take me way ahead of Rufus.'
When she heard Horace's words, Cassandra slowed down, eating as if some invisible powerful claws had gripped on her heart.
But her sister, Cloris was excited. Right off the bat, she requested, "Uncle Horace, may I go to the party?"
Although Cloris' politeness had left a good impression on Horace, it was not enough for him to make the decision at once. In
addition, although she hadn't made any terrible mistakes at work, her manager still rated her as impatient and lacking in
creativity.
Horace knew she had a long way to go if she was going to last on the job.
Compared with Cassandra who had a strong work ethic and enviable creativity, Horace hoped that Cloris would learn and
improve in many areas. She needed chances, and perhaps more experiences.
Recently, Cassandra had earned herself quite a name with imaginative input into the project of the hospital branch. Her
attentiveness and talents had greatly facilitated in negotiations with investors into the Tang Group and other partners.
Without a doubt, Horace believed he made the right decision in choosing Cassandra as a wife for Lionel. Now he hoped that
Rufus too would find a good wife.
He could tell that Cloris had a crash on Rufus, but Rufus seemed to take her as a mere friend.
Besides, Horace knew that Cloris would not help Rufus much in his business, so he was reluctant to approve of her relationship
with Rufus.
As for this party, Horace didn't think Cloris would affect Rufus whatsoever.
He knew that Rufus was not the kind of a person to be easily convinced by a woman, so he agreed to Cloris' request.
"Yes. You can go with your sister, and your brother-in-law will join you at the party too."
This wine party brought an A-list of business and opinion leaders together. For young professionals and entrepreneurs, it would
be their golden opportunity, which created the great platform to establish business contacts and exchange ideas or resources.

Cloris's face lit up with a sweet smile.
"Thank you! Uncle Horace! My parents had never gave me a chance to attend the party. They always used my age as an
excuse. Since I have a chance now, I promise I will be at my best and learn as much as I can!"
Listening to her naive sister, Cassandra smiled.
The party, with its trademark - mellow wine, gentlemen in suits and ladies in gowns, was the dream of every girl.
Her sister Cloris was not an exception.
"The party has a dress code, Cloris. How about picking one tomorrow? I'll buy you a dress for the occasion."
Excited, Cloris stood up and hugged Cassandra from her behind. She pressed her face against Cassandra's nape and said
merrily, "You are the best sister in the world, ever! Thank you, sis!"
Everyone watching them admired the lovely chemistry between the siblings.
Even Horace smiled at their harmony.
However, Cloris was in part acting and no one noticed her fleeting insidious smile.
The next day, Cassandra received a message from Rufus.
It included an address, a name and a passage with a few other details.
"This is the best evening dress designer in G City. I have ordered a dress for you. Go try it on after work."
Cassandra's heart leaped at the message. She had not expect that Rufus could be so gentle. Guarded and businesslike all the
time in the office, he was a completely different man.
'Since she is the best evening dress designer in G City, maybe she can choose one for Cloris too, ' thought Cassandra.
According to the address Rufus had sent to her, Cassandra and Cloris arrived at a private studio.
It was not a large store - on its signpost was a well crafted L-shape, modestly done in black at the top and white at the bottom.
The signpost was so simple that she would not figure out what business this studio operated when she passed by.

Cloris' eyes flashed when she saw the unobtrusive signpost.
"Sister, how did you know Michelle Ling?"
Cloris looked surprised. She wondered why Cassandra knew this famous designer. Cassandra was confused because she first
heard the name in Rufus' message.
"Have you heard something about her?"
asked Cassandra, wondering why Cloris blushed with excitement.
"Yes! I've read an exclusive interview of her some years ago. She is a famous designer in the country who came to fame in her
20's. Now that twenty years have passed her designs are still popular. Actually, she is the leading evening dress designer and
she has dressed numerous female celebrities. Generally, her studio has a high entry barrier, in that she only designs for leading
personalities."
Looking up at the symbolic logo, Cloris' whole soul was enthralled by the fact that the kingdom of the dress was opening before
her.
"I can't believe you brought me to her studio in G City without telling me in advance. What a sweet surprise!"
Completely taken by surprise, Cloris gripped Cassandra's hand and merrily led her into the studio.
A receptionist realized it was Cassandra immediately.
"Welcome, Miss Qin. Our boss is waiting for you in the dressing room. Please follow me,"
said the receptionist with a warm smile. One could tell Ling's professional attitude from the receptionist's body language,
confidence and friendly articulate manner. She was the kind of receptionist many companies would want to poach into their
team.
"Miss Qin, she is waiting for you in this room." As directed, Cassandra opened the door and entered in, Cloris following closely
after her.
All around they were awed by the collection of evening dress designs of every color and size imaginable!
There were also collections of lace, gauze, rhinestones, jewelry, gold and silver...

All expensive, fashionable accessories chased after by women filled a section of the room. Michelle really built a paradise for
woman.
"I... I feel like I'm in a dream now..."
murmured Cloris.
Michelle Ling's dressing room was like a gigantic locker room filled with all luxury items that most women coveted.
However, Cassandra seemed calmer than Cloris. She was not obsessed with those dresses.
A woman with a svelte figure and long curly hair was scrutinizing a dress on a dummy with her arms crossed over the chest.
When she heard the door opening, she turned around to see who was coming in.
Cassandra and Cloris were surprised by the woman's elegance.
Running a business empire with more than twenty years on the market, they hadn't expected her to be so stunning still. For her
age, she was surprisingly graceful.
Her hair was black and full, styled into a beehive, with bangs at the front swept to the side and held in place with hairspray, giving
her a very retro look. Her clear eyes sparkled with an oriental slant.
Her long and cute lashes flashed with enchantment.
In her early 40s, Michelle Ling could still pass for a younger lady in her 20s.
To complete her stunning looks, she was wearing a white suit that accentuated her graceful figure.
The aura of power around her made her look a little too official to get along with.
'Like an Ice Queen from Snow Country, ' Cassandra thought.
But when Michelle Ling put on a graceful smile and greeted them, Cassandra and Cloris felt they were relieved by the warmth of
her tone.
"Welcome to my studio, Her Royal Highness Princess."