Chapter 101 Forcing A Smiling Face


    As she entered Rufus''s office with herpleted design, Cassandra found him sitting on the sofa,


    swirling a ss of wine. He seemed lost in thought.


    "Mr. Luo, this is my design of the nursing home. Please check it before I submit to our partner,"


    she said as she put her work on Rufus''s desk and waited for his reply.


    Rufus took a sip of wine and closed his eyes, enjoying its vor and sensation as he swallowed it down


    his throat.


    "How is your father doing?"


    asked Rufus instead of acknowledging Cassandra''s request. One of his subordinates managed to


    locate the IP address of the poster. It was in New York. He already sent someone to look into it.


    Cassandra''s thoughts on the matter interested him.


    "My father… He should be punished by what he has done, but I don''t think hispany should go


    bankrupt. I am determined to do my best to save it," she replied.


    In reality, Cassandra had no idea how to help her father''spany. Still, she was not about to show


    weakness in front of Rufus. She did not need anyone''s sympathy, especially his.


    Rufus stifled a sigh. He knew everything about Cassandra and her situation. The only way to save her


    father''spany was by paying a fine. It would be impossible for her toe up with such a vast


    amount of money.


    Rufus stood up and gave her an envelope.


    "Open it," he said.


    Cassandra hesitated. A part of her did not want to take it.


    "What are you thinking about? Just take it,"


    urged Rufus as he pushed the envelope closer to her.


    "No, Mr. Luo, I can''t ept your money!"


    Cassandra stepped back stubbornly.


    She knew that raising the money would be difficult, but she was determined to try.


    She would not let the Qin Group go bankrupt. She would sell their vi and rent an apartment for her


    family if she had to.


    Since the vi was bought many years ago, it had already increased in value. It would sell for a good


    price. Cassandra also had some friends back in Rome who were willing to lend her money. Another


    option was to apply for a loan.


    Thest thing she wanted to do was to borrow or ept money from the Tang family. This included


    Rufus. It would be a huge blow to her ego.


    A smile spread across Rufus''s lips when Cassandra refused him.


    He knew that she would refuse his financial help, so he made sure that the envelope did not contain


    money.


    "Calm down. It''s not money, but it is something that will help you. Open it,"


    he assured her gently.


    After thinking for a while, Cassandra took the envelope and opened it.


    In a few seconds, Cassandra''s face lit up with excitement.


    It was an entry notice from the International Architectural Design Competition. Held every five years, it


    was a stage coveted by designers all over the world.


    She was supposed to take part in thispetition after she graduated, but shepletely forgot about


    its urrence this year due to the many things that happened recently. It was a pleasant surprise that


    Rufus had already registered for her.


    "I''ve sent your CV to the judging panel, including your previous works. They liked your designs and


    hoped you can take part in thepetition in the United States,"


    Rufus said, happy with Cassandra''s reaction. Still, he did not let his emotions show on his face.


    "Thispetition is sponsored by a hugepany, so its prize pool is quiterge. Winning would


    definitely give you a huge amount of money," he said.


    Skimming through the invite, Cassandra found that thepetition was to open in five days. A part of


    her felt scared that it was toote to prepare.


    "This is too sudden. I didn''t prepare anything for it. I might be eliminated at the very first round,"


    she said as she pressed the notice against her chest, worriedly.


    "It''s an improvisedpetition. Advance preparation will not work. The topic will be given on the spot


    and very few people can guess what it is as early as now,"


    Rufus reassured Cassandra again. It seemed that he knew more about thepetition than her.


    Looking at the prize money on the paper, Cassandra felt thrilled.


    ''This is more than enough to pay off the fine.


    If I win thispetition, my father''spany will be saved, '' she thought.


    "Thank you, Mr. Luo. This is the best gift I''ve ever received,"


    Cassandra said as she started to blush.


    What she needed the most was not silver or gold, but respect. Rufus didn''t give her money, but what he


    gave her was something far more valuable.


    He managed to help her while protecting her pride and giving her space to work on it herself. He was


    truly a thoughtful man.


    "Finish all handovers in the next two days. I have a business trip to New York so I will be going with


    you," Rufus said.


    His ulterior motive was to meet the designer who imed that his design was copied by Cassandra.


    Cassandra nodded and felt the sorrow in her heart disappear.


    Three dayster, Cassandra arrived in New York with Rufus.


    As soon as she got off the ne, Cassandra hurried to the office of the organizingmittee. She had


    impressed the judges with her previous works.


    "We saw your designs in China. They are unique and innovative. We are looking forward to witnessing


    your talents in thepetition,"


    said a judge with a full beard as he gave Cassandra an entry card with her name and number on it.


    "Please keep this safe, or you will not be allowed to enter thepetition site," he reminded.


    "I will. Thank you!" Cassandra then left the office with the card in her hand. ''I will do my best to win. I


    have to save father''spany," promised Cassandra to herself.


    It was already dinner time when she got out. Rufus took her to a famous western restaurant. As soon


    as they sat down, Cassandra received a phone call from Cloris.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    She gently excused herself and went to a silent corner.


    "Sister, there is an opportunity to study abroad, and I want to sign up. Can you give me some money?"


    the girl from the other end of the line asked.


    Cassandra paused. She didn''t expect Cloris to ask her for money in such an explicit way.


    "How much do you need?" she asked.


    "Not much, I just need forty thousand," she replied.


    "Yeah, it''s really ''not much'' money," mumbled Cassandra.


    If Vernon were not in prison and theirpany ount were not suspended, the amount would


    definitely be readily avable. But as it stood, they just could not afford it at the moment.


    "Cloris, can you go abroad next year, instead? You know that there are a lot of things happening right


    now, and I don''t have the money to give you,"


    replied Cassandra gently. Money was a sensitive topic.


    "What? So you''ve been married to Lionel for years and you don''t have even forty thousand to spare?!"


    Cloris was dissatisfied with her answer.


    "Cloris, their money does not belong to me. It''s not something that I can use as I wish. Do you


    understand that?"


    Cassandra took a deep breath to calm herself down. She did not expect such words toe out of her


    innocent sister.


    ''It looks like she has been spoiled by father. She has always been given a life of privilege. It is to no


    surprise that she could ask for such a huge amount of money without any consideration, '' thought


    Cassandra.


    "I''ve asked mother, and she said she didn''t have any money so she asked me to seek help from you.


    How will you help father if you don''t even have forty thousand? Do you intend to leave us with this,


    alone? You do know that we will lose everything if you don''t pay off the fine, right?"


    Cloris shot impatiently.


    ''This is all mother''s fault. Why did she tell Cloris to ask money from me? Do I look like an ATM machine


    to them?'' Cassandra thought, outraged.


    "Cloris, I will raise money for the fine and do my best to earn your tuition. Trust me, I will save the


    company. You and mother don''t have to worry about that," she promised.


    Actually, Cassandra felt sad knowing that even her family did not seem to trust her. Still, she


    maintained a strong facade.


    "I know you are in New York to join apetition. We have to meet when youe back. It''s a rare


    chance. Father promised to pay my tuition before he was imprisoned. Students who graduated from


    that school all enjoy a great life. I need this chance!"


    Cloris demanded, and without even waiting for Cassandra to respond she hung up. Hearing the dial


    tone, Cassandra lowered her arm feebly.


    Despite the pain she felt, she could not abandon her sister and her mother. They were her family.


    ''Hope I can win thepetition. I need to save my father''spany and pay my sister''s tuition fee,"


    Cassandra prayed.


    She took one deep breath and managed to force a smile before she looked up at Rufus.


    "Let''s eat, shall we? This steak looks good,"


    said Cassandra, beaming.