A Graduation Gift

When Ivy handed Amanda her resignation letter, Amanda didn't bat an eyelid and signed it immediately.

"Ivy, please work hard for Mr. Ji,"

she told her, looking strangely relieved, as if she had unloaded some kind of burden.

Amanda had agreed almost instantly when Clark said that he wanted Ivy to work for him.

The last time he insulted her in the office, it was because of her own slip up. She made a mistake, which cost her terribly. Cassandra and Rufus were able to make up, throwing out that little space Clark had to carve for himself in Cassandra's life.

Now, another very willing woman had appeared to take her place as Clark's scapegoat. Amanda wondered if she felt pity for the other girl, but found that in her heart, there was only a twisted sense of relief. She knew better than anyone what it meant to be Clark's woman, and there was nothing she wanted more than to rid herself of him, even if that meant another woman was going to be what she used to be.

On her end, Ivy also felt relief. She had thought that there might be problems, but she was pleasantly surprised at how smooth-sailing things had gone.

Once again, Amanda's relieved expression came to her mind. It was indeed strange. Why did she look so relieved when Clark was taking another woman with him? Was there no love between them? Was their connection nothing more than matters of the flesh?

Ivy was puzzled, but her questions disappeared as quickly as they had come. She had better fix her attention elsewhere. Now that she was going to be around Clark day and night in the future, she could not help but feel excited at her prospects.

Oddly enough, however, Clark did not assign any work to Ivy, but only allowed her to take unlimited vacations. Ivy was either relaxing at a beauty salon, shopping at a mall, or doing yoga at home. Despite her carefree lifestyle, she had put in a bit of restrain and did not go out to have fun as often, thinking that Clark might call her for work anytime. Like a faithful dog, she jumped to her phone at the first ring, but no calls had come from him.

Clark just invited her to dinner from time to time, took her out to various high-end clubs, but all-in-all, he remained ambiguous towards her.

Every time Ivy would get her hopes up, Clark would take things a step back and distance himself, not calling until after a few days. He had even never entered her apartment.

What was his deal? Ivy beat her brains in frustration. She had no idea what that man was thinking. What did he want from her? Was it sex?

But he had never touched her either. He had only looked at her seductively, leaving her in confusion between the contradiction with his words and actions.

Even when she tried to take the lead and suggested they go to his house, Clark was quick to decline her. However, he was very generous. He would shower her with expensive gifts without so much as a blink.

It was like his mind was a maze, and Ivy had lost herself trying to find a way out.

One day, just as she was relaxing at home with a face mask on, the phone rang. Ivy was on her feet in a split second and answered the phone.

"Can you come to my presidential suite in the hotel I'm staying in? I'll wait for you."

Clark's familiar voice echoed from the other end. Ivy jumped up excitedly and pulled off the mask to get dressed. Her chance had finally come.

to his presidential suite. Just what was he about to do to her? She could not help to think mischievously to herself.

of a perfect woman

when she arrived. Clark was wearing a serious expression. Saying nothing about her meticulous get up,

cigarette and blew out smoke. The white wisps were almost eerie

feeling was gnawing at Ivy. Puzzled, she took the envelope and opened it. There was a printed piece

"This is slander!"

the paper in

this! This is all

stomach, and

me by someone who seems to know that you and I

sigh, showing an air of tiredness. After a short pause, he continued slowly, "Ivy, I don't really care

disappointment clearly in his tone. Ivy had never

a wife had entered my mind. I admit that you're not my first woman, but you're the one I want to be with the most. I know everything you've been through, and I don't care about all of those things.

gently, but there was a sneer in his eyes. Ivy stood across from him, her eyes glued to the paper in disbelief. She could not see his vicious

this letter has made things difficult for

Ivy, pinching the cigarette butts

letter with trembling hands, the sheet wrinkled from

Lionel's child. There were also claims that she still had a good relationship with him and that they often met together after their breakup. There was even a part where it was

between Ivy and Clark, but who would

told you, Ivy," Clark said, interrupting her train of thoughts. "I

She stared at Clark's back

wrote this letter,"

in a certain tone. Ivy's already pale face paled even

asked the receptionist for information and suspected immediately that Ivy was behind it. He went to

police and have you arrested if you don't tell me what the hell you are doing!" he shouted.

His eyes bulged out from their sockets and his face

few naked photos of you as security, in case you try to defame

knew that she could not avoid him,

make your life a living hell. There will

anger, Lionel poked Ivy in the face with a finger as he

interfere with me, I won't spread the photos," Ivy said, matching his gaze with her own.

to him, she