A Graduation Gift

Chapter 237 She Was Cassandra

Cassandra hadn't expected Rufus to mention her name in front of everyone. She was surprised to hear him talk about her, not knowing how to react.

Everyone around turned toward her, staring at her face, smiling. All of a sudden, she was the centre of attraction.

She looked up at Rufus, who gently smiled at her, encouraging her.

"Cassandra is an excellent architectural designer. She has a great structural understanding of old, condemned buildings, which the rescue team benefited from immensely. It was because of her that they were able to locate the injured in such little time. I believe many of you have heard her story. We should be proud to have such a talented and conscientious designer in this industry!"

Rufus said and clapped, nodding his head. Everyone followed him and soon, the entire space reverberated with a loud applause.

People who were merely curious about who Cassandra was, now all stood admiring her.

Suddenly, Cassandra realized why Rufus had mentioned her. One, he was trying to raise funds for the revitalization of A City. Two, he wanted to seize this opportunity to make people more aware of Cassandra and what kind of person she really was, driving away all their misconceptions.

Rufus and Cassandra were the only two people from the Union who had gone to the earthquake-struck areas and taken part in the rescue work. Naturally, they were the only ones qualified to make a speech at the banquet.

Cassandra gazed at Rufus gratefully. The applause was so overwhelming. It made her blush.

"I really hope everyone here would donate money generously to contribute to the post-earthquake reconstruction of A City. I vouch for Tang Group. We will donate a hundred million and also propose to

build a new, earthquake-proof library for the citizens of A City,"

Rufus declared firmly. The very way with which he talked conveyed what an excellent leader he was. Everyone in the room respected him not just because he was their superior but also because he was extremely humble and intelligent.

Lionel was amazed! 100 million! Did Tang Group even have that much money? Plus, Lionel hadn't heard about the board's approval regarding this donation.

Rufus beamed at the cheering people and got off the stage, as the curtains opened slowly behind him. One by one, the performers and singers emerged, transforming the vibe of the place completely into a kind of grand celebration.

Rufus walked to make his way to Cassandra through the crowd. Every few steps, someone would stop him to shake his hand or give him a pat on the back. Yet, his eyes remained fixed on Cassandra, with a constantly smiling mouth.

"How did you like the surprise?"

Rufus asked, brushing her forearm slightly.

"Thank you, Rufus."

She grabbed his hand and wrote on his palm with her finger.

Cassandra didn't utter a single word, instead kept staring at him lovingly. It was one of those moments when the silence spoke for itself.

Interrupting their dreamy exchange, Lionel emerged from behind Rufus, grabbing his shoulder.

"Rufus! How could you make a declaration like that! 100 million! Have you lost your mind?"

Lionel ground his teeth and asked angrily.

His anger increased exponentially when he noticed Cassandra's hand in Rufus's.

"I'm donating my own money, just in the name of the Tang Group,"

Rufus said slowly and calmly, after casting a long glance at Lionel.

"100 million! Where did you get so much money?!"

Lionel was struck! He didn't understand how Rufus had come to possess that huge amount of money!

"None of your business. I give my money and Tang Group's reputation improves. It's a win-win situation for both of us. You don't have to care about how or why I have this money."

Lionel wasn't convinced. As for Rufus, if the money he donated could change people's attitude towards Cassandra and help rebuild her image, it would be worth it.

Plus, this would help him gain some credibility and make people believe him even more firmly.

This was why he had thought it was the perfect opportunity to acknowledge Cassandra in front of everyone.

"Of course, I have to know how you have this kind of money! Did you line your pocket from the construction projects and use the money to build your reputation?"

Lionel asked in an accusatory tone.

"Don't you know how much money Tang Group earned this year, being the vice president? Look, I made profits from my personal funds, and I can do whatever I want with this money. What did you do for the reconstruction of the disaster-struck area, Mr. Vice-president?"

Lionel was nothing but a clown in Rufus's eyes. He never took him seriously and didn't even bother to continue this useless argument with him anymore.

Lionel was a fool. He had inherited nothing of Horace's intellect and skills.

Before Lionel could go on pestering him further, Rufus and Cassandra walked away together, holding hands.

Lionel kept standing still and watched them walking away.

His blood boiled to see them together publicly. On top of that, they ignored Lionel like he was a street dog.

They really pissed him off. But his wicked mind had already come up with a way to get back at them. He smiled coldly, proud and excited to carry out his plan.

There were all kinds of people at the banquet.

Some flattered their bosses, some mingled with others politely and some quietly sipped their drinks. And Rufus, calm as always, floated around the hall making hearty conversations, smiling and laughing.

The banquet was about to end. When it was time for the last performance, the curtains opened to reveal a sparkling white grand piano.

The lights in the hall turned out and soon the chitter-chatter of people and the clinking of glasses died out too. Slowly, the stage lit up with a warm, yellow glow.

People looked at the stage, excitedly, wondering what was the climactic performance of the evening!

Rufus, however, wasn't as excited as all the others. He stared at the stage with pursed lips, annoyed, foreseeing what was going to happen.

Cassandra too, was unsettled. Her heart sank as soon as she saw the piano.

Suddenly, the light on the stage went out again. The whole room was pitch black with an unreal silence.

People burst into an uproar, murmuring collectively, thinking there was a power cut.

A moment later, the lights were back. They were so bright that people were blinded, barely able to make out the figure of the beautiful woman who sat in front of the piano.

She was wearing a glittering white gown. The fabric fit her body so elegantly and she looked like an angel.

A beautiful melody encompassed the air as she moved her fingers gently on the keys with her eyes shut. It looked like she was in some kind of trance.

Everyone was immersed in the beautiful sound of the music.

She was like a bright star on a moonless, dark night, shining brightly.

On top of that, she was playing Beethoven's Moonlight sonata movement 1, which was a beautiful and fantasy-like piece. It instilled a vision of moon rays reflecting off the surface of a dark and peaceful sea.

People present felt as if they were on a beach, enjoying the gentle breeze blowing in their faces.

Cassandra's heart, though, remained sunk. She couldn't see Rufus's face in the darkness. She felt a fist close around her heart and squeeze.

She hadn't seen Amanda for over a month. And now that they were meeting again. Amanda had appeared in such a fantastic manner at a banquet, which was organized by Rufus. How could Cassandra feel at ease?

The music faded gently as the moon rose slowly outside. The performance was almost over.

Hitting the final notes, Amanda opened her eyes and stood up like a goddess. She turned toward the guests and bowed gracefully.

Breaking the spell she had cast over the gathering, someone clapped loudly, which soon turned into a thunder of applause.

No wonder Amanda was famous all over the world. Her performance had been absolutely wonderful!

Still on the stage, Amanda searched the crowd for Rufus. Cassandra could detect the urgency with which her eyes scanned the hall. She thought Amanda was challenging her on purpose.

At last, all lights were back on. Somehow, Amanda still looked like a beautiful princess, standing apart from everyone.

She held a mic in her hands and smiled sweetly at everyone with crinkling eyes.

"Hello everyone! The song I just played is dedicated to all the kind businessmen out here! Without your help, the reconstruction of A City wouldn't have started so smoothly. I am extremely grateful for your support and generosity." Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

Her voice was as sweet as a nightingale. Mesmerized by her, people started to nod their heads, smiling back at her and raising their glasses, cheering.

"Now, I'd like to have one of you to come to the stage and perform with me! Someone who can represent everyone and send our condolences and wishes to the disaster-struck area."

People talked among each other, wondering who would be the lucky one.

Amanda's face lit up as she finally spotted Rufus, standing far away in the back.

"I would like to invite the organizer of tonight's charity banquet, the president of Tang Group, Mr. Rufus Luo to perform a duet with me. Make some noise for Rufus, everyone!"

Amanda gestured Rufus to join her on the stage as an assistant swiftly placed another chair next to her own.

Everyone looked back at Rufus expectantly and waited for him to join Amanda, making way for him.

Rufus's nostrils flared as he clenched his fists. The blue-green veins accentuated on his forehead.

He knew Amanda was doing all this on purpose.

He hadn't arranged for Amanda to perform. Someone had changed the programme schedule without consulting him.

Rufus felt Lionel's smug gaze upon him from the side. He smiled cunningly at Rufus, a look of accomplishment all over his face.

Rufus understood what had conspired. It was Lionel.

This seemed like one of his cheap tricks to embarrass him in public.

Just a while ago, Rufus had made the declaration about Cassandra and now, Lionel was making him perform alongside Amanda, his rumoured girlfriend.

What a vicious bastard! He knew Rufus wouldn't ruin the banquet by denying. It was a trap Rufus had no way to come out of.