A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 280

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt Michelle, but I am sure I won't regret any of it. I know what kind of woman I want to spend my life with, so you don't have to worry about me. I can deal with this matter by myself."

With a gentle smile on his lips, Rufus had made up his mind to tell Amanda that the person he wanted to be with was Cassandra.

For the past one month, Rufus and Amanda had been inseparable. The two were seen together appearing in the public eye, as if Amanda was Rufus's real girlfriend. The media did what was expected of it and published numerous articles about the two being a perfect match for each other. However, only Rufus knew that such reports were far from the truth.

Rufus, however, didn't blame Amanda for drugging him with a philter and deliberately trapping her father into witnessing that scene. There was nothing he could do about it because whenever he would get angry at her, she would instantly look at him helplessly with tear-soaked eyes. Not to mention the fact that she was still suffering from sickness immediately softened his heart towards her.

However, upon hearing the news about the Qin Group's recent financial crisis with the bank and Cassandra's difficulty to continue running the company, Rufus realized that this was a good opportunity for him to tinker his broken relationship with her.

'I am financially well-equipped to help the Qin Group get out of its' current predicament without any difficulties. This problem is really a blessing in disguise for me to help her this time.' Rufus had high hopes for the future.

Needless to say, a wide satisfied smile appeared on his face while he thought, 'Cassandra, you are too stubborn for your own good. Now look what happened! You really need me to help you out this time, don't you?'

Rufus shook himself out of his reverie and transformed his smirk back into a benevolent smile, not knowing that what he had dreamed would come crashing down just one day later.

Cassandra forgot how long it had been since the last time she saw him. Perhaps it had been a month, or two months. It could have been longer.

Although the only thing separating the two of them was just a street, she still recognized Rufus through the crowd of people passing by.

Cassandra saw him slumping against the corner of the wall, hiding himself underneath the shadow of the street lamp. For a moment the only movement was the curling smoke from a half-burnt cigarette in his hand.

Taking small and slow draws of the cigarette, he blew the smoke out between his lips. In this way, she caught his handsome profile silhouetted against the dim fire light in the background.

The mere sight of his face took away all her negative thoughts. Just a minute ago, she felt depressed, but now her heart was singing with joy inside her chest.

And then suddenly, the truth crystallized in front of her. They were no longer together. Instead of the soul she loved for long, she now saw a stranger.

Cassandra thought that she saw a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes for a second right before she averted her gaze and walked into the office building. She had just returned to the office building from having dinner outside and was about to go back to her tiny bedroom for some much needed rest.

When she heard the sound of steady footsteps coming from behind, her subconscious urged her to run. Suddenly, before she could run into the building, she felt someone tug her arm and turn her around.

"Hey! Why are you running away?"

Rufus frowned with displeasure, who was gazing at her face like he had been dreaming about her for some time.

"Why did you grab my arm?" she answered back, glaring at the man with eyes burning with fury.

Judging by the look on her face, he knew that she was just as stubborn as she used to be. Meanwhile, he also understood why she was mad at him for grabbing her arms.

Even then, he didn't let her anger get in his way, as he kept his eyes on her to intimidate her, forcing her to raise her head to meet his piercing gaze.

"Calm down. You don't have to be so vigilant. I am not going to hurt you."

Gradually, Rufus relaxed his grip on her arms and smiled winsomely at her.

He was caught in between feeling annoyed and amused by her defensive reaction.