A Graduation Gift

Cassandra had always convinced herself that as long as she indulged herself in working hard, things would become better.

For her not to be a person who couldn't earn her living and be dependent on others, she went to Rome to study architecture and design.

While some of her classmates were shopping, dating and partying, Cassandra stayed in the library, studying piles of thick books about architecture.

Cassandra, as one of the few Asians in college, consistently scored higher than her classmates and won the full scholarship. She was studying at one of the prestigious schools in Rome without spending a penny.

In one instance, she had beaten some famous designers and won a prize in a design competition when she was still a college student.

When she was employed by the Tang Group, no one really trusted and respected her. She was so young and inexperienced. Everyone wondered how she could be the manager of the design department of the Tang Group. Cassandra ignored all those criticisms. She had just kept her mouth shut while busy signing contracts one after another.

There was a two-hour lunch break in Tang Group. During the break, everyone in the office would gather together and get out to grab some food. Cassandra, however, would always take a snap, order something to takeout and then get back to work right after lunch.

She was never late or got off work early for no reasons. Instead, she always worked late, determined to give her clients a perfect design.

She worked very hard these past years, thinking that her life was getting better and better gradually. However, now she felt exhausted. She didn't know whether she could carry on with her way of life.

"Cassandra, some senior executives of your father's company came to our house today. They asked me about my plans. They said if the business volume couldn't recover, they might resign,"

Edith called Cassandra during the lunch break. She sounded so nervous on the other end of the phone that Cassandra could even imagine her anxiety without seeing her.

"I see, mother. I will go to dad's company tomorrow and talk to them. Please don't worry."

When she hung up the phone, Cassandra bent over the desk and sighed, helpless.

She felt stressed and drained.

Cassandra thought the prize she won in the competition could support herself for a while. However, Horace gave all her cases to the other designers and she couldn't even fight for that. Otherwise, people would think her as a self-centered and arrogant manager who would take all the credits and didn't give opportunities to others.

She was so annoyed.

Suddenly, the door opened. Victor walked into her office, with a food container in his hand.

"Good afternoon, Manager Qin. Mr. Luo asked me to bring you this."

Victor walked towards her desk and put down the food container and left. Victor's timing was just perfect. Cassandra was hungry and she was glad that someone sent her some food.

She opened the container, the meat dishes and vegetables all looked tasty and smelled better than the takeout she used to order.

Fried potatoes with green pepper, stewed pork trotters...everything looked mouthwatering.

Cassandra could see that Rufus had put a lot of effort into preparing them.

the sumptuous meal. Clearing off her desk, she took the dishes and carefully placed

she was about to eat the dish, Cassandra noticed a card stuck at the bottom of the food container.

couldn't help but be amazed at

"Enjoy your

wave of warmth rushed over Cassandra making her excited to take a bite of

for her. He helped her sign up for the design competition, helped her find Joel who framed her up. And now, he was worried about her health since she always ordered takeouts all the time and prepared meals for her. He even

when she fumbled at what was written on the note. It reminded her of what Rufus said to her

me. I will leave the Tang Group one day. By then, we

office, Rufus just finished his work and

you throw

asked Victor with a gloomy

"Throw… away?"

confused. He thought

told me that she gave the food

his eyebrows inquisitively. Victor wasn't a talkative person, but he was an efficient one. Rufus could sense that something went wrong since Victor just hemmed and hawed.

Rufus's words, Victor felt electrified, as if there was

office, Angie handed him the

gave him a sweet smile before

the container and it was still warm. Opening it to see what was inside, he was surprised to see a feast

assumed Rufus asked him to give

he misunderstood Rufus! It was not supposed for Cassandra. Victor didn't know how to

food container… I…I…I…gave it

Rufus's eyes. It was the first time that he made such

head and peeked at Rufus. Judging

was Manager Qin doing in her

her lunch break. But since she didn't get too much work

knocked on her door, she was talking with her mother on the phone. It seemed that something

very strict when they made mistakes. Needless to say, the reason why he hired Angie to be his secretary was that she never went wrong, like a

you

He breathed a great sigh of relief and was about to leave when Rufus called him again, "Oh, Victor, one more thing. Wait in Manager Qin's office. When she is done eating,

Rufus stood up and continued to

He thought there was no chance for him to use that information.

the company on her own, she might not be able to solve the problem. At this time, he needed to the step in and be the person whom

Cassandra's office, Victor took the food container from her. With it in his hand, he walked out of the building and threw it in a dustbin at a street corner near the

he was approached by a wide, friendly smile. It scared him, making him step back instantly.

Victor! What did you just throw

nearby restaurant and was in a very good mood. When she saw Victor, she walked to him and said hi.