A Graduation Gift

Ivy held on desperately to Clark. As of that moment, she deemed that playing pitiful was her best option as she stalled for time and frantically thought of a way out and to clear her name.

Her thoughts were halted with what Clark said next. "Ivy, if you really want to prove your loyalty, then there is one thing you can do."

His words were like an oasis. Finally, there was something she could do.

"What is it, Clark? I swear I'll do anything for you," she said, raising her head to him.

There was a hopeful light gleaming in her eyes.

"Tang Group's bid proposal,"

Clark uttered, drawing out the syllables slowly, as if savoring them. Ivy paled at his words.

The bid proposal!

That meant she would have to steal it.

Her heart raced wildly in her chest as her mind swirled in a whirlpool of thoughts.

Her arms hung stiffly around Clark, then as if on instinct, she retreated one step back from him.

Clark was quick to pick up her hesitation. Sighing, he spoke with a self-mocking look on his face, "I'm sorry. You're right. It's stupid. There's no way you would agree to do such a thing. It would be too dangerous."

His eyes never left her as he observed her face for any sign of reaction.

He was right. What he was asking of her was too dangerous. If she made even one single mistake and got caught, she would end up in prison. She looked at Clark, who was looking exhausted. If she didn't do it, he would not be taking her back, and all her hard work from before would have been all for nothing.

Clark raised a hand to his forehead, putting on an air of tiredness, as if he was clearing his thoughts.

"You should go now. I need to think about things. I'm too tired."

After weighing her options, Ivy had come to a conclusion.

"I'll do it," she said.

Resolve was written on her face. 'If it's just stealing the bid proposal, I won't have to do it myself. There are plenty of others who will do the job for the right price, ' she thought, already forming her plans.

'As long as I can get it for him, then everything's going to be alright. I can win him back with this, and he would not doubt me anymore.'

Looking into Clark's eyes, she could almost see the future she wanted. She was so close. If she could marry him, then she wouldn't have to worry about anything in her life ever again.

Clark seemed to be surprised at her answer, but his expression soon turned into doubt.

"Ivy, this is really dangerous, and not to mention…unethical. Should we just give it up?"

only served

his hand in hers. "Clark, I will prove to you that you

eyes as she made her

turned and walked out of the room. Once the door closed, Clark's face broke into an unrestrained, menacing

for Tang Group. If

them to get back on their feet. The project alone was big enough for them to start reclaiming their losses. But neither Arthur nor

crushing the Tang Group and taking away everything Rufus loved or cared about would bring him endless satisfaction. He could almost taste his victory. He reveled as images of hopeless faces of the Tangs—Lionel, Horace,

a vain and stupid woman, but she could be useful—a handy tool and a loyal

the halls as Adrian entered Ivy's mansion. He saw her first, absent-mindely standing by the window, her back to him.

"What are you doing?"

to sit down. Crossing her legs, she sank down on the cushions with all the haughtiness of a queen.

for you. You'll be graciously compensated.

clever and had his own ways of getting the job done. He would be the perfect choice for what

"Wow! Now we're talking."

back of the couch and rubbed her shoulders, giving her

slapped his hands away and continued in a serious tone, "You'll get a lot of money, but it wouldn't be an easy task. Of course, it goes to say that you do it well, and discreetly. No one can know about

was thinking

"What is it?"

after what had happened between them in the garden last time, Ivy wanted him to please her again. But as it turned out,

I want you to

was visibly shocked at her

crazy? This is against the

he had actually done quite a number of unthinkable deeds, but he had always treaded the line of his job carefully. The Tang group was a big company, and

himself in jail. That was absolutely out of the

round easily, you know," Ivy said simply, reaching for a bag under the

the job done, I'll give you another 400, 000. You can

the offer, but even if he did, she would just

a wicked glint, and he sprang to the bag and grabbed it tightly, as if unwilling

bills. The scent rose in the air and

he would get the full 500, 000—the money would last him a long

been all too easy. The world was full of crooks, and even

rug. But jobs didn't come by as often as these days. This job

money when a thought

Ivy, he asked, "Why didn't you just call for Joel to do

this, wouldn't it

I can just ask for his

quickly,

"Do not tell Joel!"

look on her face was now

Why? He knows the place well. If we work

things up, and this was no small job. They needed