A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 432

"How's it going with your work?"

In prison's visiting rooms, Vernon sat across Cassandra. He had grown thinner but he seemed to be in high spirits.

"It's doing great, Father. Don't worry about me. As for my mother, she can't come today because she has been very busy, but I'm sure she will visit you next time," Cassandra said.

She made it a point not to bear bad news because she did not want her father to worry too much. It was important for her that he behaved well in prison so he could be let out soon and they could all be together. Because of this, she and her mother agreed not to tell Vernon about Edith's illness.

"Do you have a boyfriend now?"

This was the next question he asked. Of course, this also brought him concern because he didn't want his daughter to grow old alone. It only made sense that he would ask this too.

Cassandra already anticipated this and she was able to prepare an answer.

"Yes, but we haven't been dating long yet. I'd like to bring him so you can meet him when it's time. It's still too early now,"

she replied smoothly without hesitation.

Vernon smiled with relief when he heard her reply. That was good news to him because in his mind, that meant that he did not need to worry about Cassandra too much. There was a man who was taking care of her.

"I'm sorry I haven't been a good father. You and your mother must have been having a hard time recently,"

he started apologetically. He felt sorry for leaving Cassandra the burden of taking care of his family.

Right then, Cassandra suddenly remembered what Rufus told Ivy.

Joel had threatened Vernon to the point of him considering suicide. She realized that Ivy must have done this because of the things happening between them back then.

Cassandra's heart ached. Her father almost died because of her. This filled her with guilt.

"Father, please, no more apologizing. We are family. We're all waiting for you—mother, Cloris, and me,"

she said as she reached out to hold her father's hand to comfort him.

"How about Cloris? How is she?"

It had been a long time since he saw his beloved younger daughter. He missed her very much.

"She's fine. She came back a few days ago and she has a boyfriend now,"

Cassandra replied with a smile.

"Boyfriend? Who? What is he like? Is he treating Cloris right?"

Vernon shot one question after another.

Cassandra smiled and replied patiently.

"You probably know him. He is the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur Zhuang. Cloris likes him very much,"

she said as Cloris's lovestruck face appeared in her mind. The girl seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur with such loving eyes.

What she did not understand, however, was that from what she knew, Arthur broke up with Cloris before. She even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting. It confused Cassandra to see them dating again.

"Arthur? I know him!"

As expected, Vernon grew even more excited. Arthur was part of the business circle. Of course, he knew who he was.

"I'm very happy for her. Arthur is a very good man!"

Vernon smiled. He seemed to be unable to wipe it off his face. Realizing that his daughter was dating a great man filled him with so much joy.

His smile brought Cassandra joy, too.

"Oh, you should also hurry up with your love life then, Cassandra. By the way, who were you talking about? Who is your boyfriend?"

Vernon then asked his eldest daughter. He realized that he forgot to ask who the mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he did seem to show more concern about Cloris than Cassandra and he hoped that this lapse did not make Cassandra feel uncomfortable.

As for Cassandra, though, she was actually hoping that he would not investigate as this was a topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no other choice, she had to respond, "It's Rufus."

She could not find it in herself to lie to her father. Hurriedly, she explained, "I know we shouldn't be together. I mean, there are so many odds against us. We've been through a lot, clearly. Mother doesn't like him very much either, but I'll introduce him to you, Father, and you'll see that he's really a great guy! I promise! I mean, I think you'll really like him and you two will get along."

Cassandra was worried that Vernon might object. As best as she could, she explained the situation and put in as many good words for Rufus as possible.

Vernon stayed silent for a few seconds and then sighed in resignation.

"Choosing him will make your life complicated, Cassandra. He is your ex-husband's brother. What will the Tang family say when they find out that you plan to be their older son's wife?" he said.

Given that all he worried about was the Tang family's approval, it was likely that the news about Rufus's identity had not reached him yet. It was a good thing that all the rumors had not made their way to his ears.

"I don't have the energy to think about the future, Father. Please let me just worry about what's in front of us, for now,"