A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 14

Inside the Tang mansion, the rooms were lit up brilliantly.

When Rufus and Cassandra returned home, they saw Horace and Jill casually drinking tea in the living room.

The older pair looked up. As soon as Horace spotted Rufus, he greeted him with a splendid smile and open arms.

"Rufus! Good to see you. Have you had your dinner already? Would you like to eat something?"

However, his enthusiasm was not well received. Rufus remained aloof and nodded briefly at the question. Cassandra, who had been hiding behind him, stepped out timidly, facing her in-laws with a forced smile on her face.

"Hi Dad. Hi Mom."

Her voice came out timid. Seeing her, Jill shot up from the sofa, looking positively resentful.

"How is it that you two have come home together?"

Surprised to see them standing so close that their shoulders almost touched, Jill lashed out at Cassandra. Her blatant stare made Cassandra quiver with unease.

She had to look away in order to avoid further questions. Acting composedly was the only way to avoid exposing the truth.

"Well, I was hanging out with some friends tonight. I happened to come across Rufus at the pub's exit. So we came home together. It's no big deal."

Her guiltless stance and smooth words amused Rufus greatly. A corner of his mouth curled up in a lop-sided grin as he realized that she had no qualms about lying to the faces of her in-laws. She was quite a skilled actress. However, he had no intention of staying back with Horace and wasting time, so he fixed his father with an indifferent look, simply announcing, "I am going upstairs."

As he walked to the staircase, he cast a profound look in Cassandra's direction. Then, without further delay, he bolted straight to his room upstairs.

Watching Rufus leave the room, Cassandra sniffed silently, deciding to retire to her room as well. However, Horace's words stopped her in her tracks.

"Cassandra, it has been quite some time since you came home from abroad. I think it would be ideal that you go to work with Rufus tomorrow. You might need some time to understand how the company operates. I know you topped in your classes abroad. I believe you would make a difference to the company and its future."

His words surprised her. She widened her eyes and stared back at her father-in-law wordlessly, wondering if she had heard him right. Horace seemed to have a sincere look in his eyes. She knew she couldn't refuse his offer, as it was out of good intentions. She had no idea what would be in store, but she had to accept it anyway.

"Sure, Dad."

Her acquiescence pleased him and he nodded at her in appreciation. On the other hand, Jill did not look happy at all. She stared at Cassandra with open hostility in her eyes, as if prying her daughter-in-law's mind to see if she was hiding something. She did not trust Cassandra.

"Well, good for you, Cassandra. Rufus just came to our family not so long ago. But you seem to be getting along with him rather well!"

Jill uttered the words from between her teeth. Her voice was not loud, but it had a hint of steel beneath it, and Cassandra successfully captured the warning in her tone. She lifted her chin and looked at Jill with her pretty eyes, not saying anything in return. She was not a fool. She knew what Jill was trying to imply. Jill looked suspicious and resentful. Cassandra secretly clenched her fists.

"Really? It seems to me that you are the one taking initiative here..."

He had hardly finished speaking before the room suddenly lit up. Rufus had switched on the lights. His eyes flashed triumphantly and he studied her face, patiently waiting for a response.

The sudden light almost blinded her. Cassandra had to blink a few times to adjust to it. When her eyes finally focused on her surroundings, she let out a gasp. It was not her room at all. She had totally made a fool out of herself by accidentally walking into Rufus's room!

Deeply mortified, Cassandra opened and closed her mouth like a fish - not knowing what to say next. The tension in the room grew by the second. She wished she could just slip out this very instant. However, her feet seemed to no longer belong to herself. She scratched her temple and said, "Rufus, I think I walked into your room by accident. Sorry to bother you. I am leaving now."

Cassandra gave him a trembling smile and tried to move back. She knew it was her fault this time. His overwhelming presence was making her increasingly uneasy. Carefully, she reached for his hand around her waist and tried to wriggle out of his grip.

She peeped at him from the corner of her eyes and was surprised to find a wide grin on his face. He was so strange. He was clearly not sleeping, but why did he turn off all the lights in his room while he was inside?

As if he could read her mind, Rufus sniggered softly and loosened his grip. This time, he decided to be kind and not tease her further.

As soon as she was released from his capture, Cassandra dashed to the door. She wrenched it open. However, just as she was about to step out, she saw Lionel walking in her direction. He hadn't seen her yet. Almost instantly, she made a decision.

She stepped backward and closed the door in haste. Her face had turned pale, as if she had seen a ghost. Swirling around, she bumped right into a hard chest.