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?"

hesitation only served to fuel

it!" she said, taking his hand in hers. "Clark, I will

into his eyes as she made her promise.

of his hand, she turned and walked out of the room. Once the

was the only hope left for Tang Group. If they lost it,

The project alone was big enough for them to start reclaiming

satisfaction. He could almost taste his victory. He reveled as images of hopeless faces of the Tangs—Lionel, Horace, and

useful—a handy tool and a loyal puppet. He was right to keep her at his

first, absent-mindely standing by the window, her back to him. With a sinister smile on his face, he approached her quickly and quietly,

"What are you doing?"

moving to the couch to sit down. Crossing her legs, she sank down on the

for you. You'll be graciously compensated. What

knew this gangster well—he was clever and had his own ways of getting the job

"Wow! Now we're talking."

couch and rubbed her shoulders,

get a lot of money, but it wouldn't be an easy task. Of course, it goes to say

she was thinking about was only to get the

"What is it?"

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

bid proposal, and I want you

shocked at her

you crazy? This is against

done quite a number of unthinkable deeds, but he had

would find himself in jail. That was absolutely out of the

quo. Money doesn't come round easily, you know," Ivy said simply, reaching for a bag under the table and throwing it to him.

Here's the advance. There's 100, 000 in that bag. After you get the job done, I'll give you another 400, 000. You can make your decision now," she said. Noticing his hesitation, she added, "If you don't want it, I can always find

but even if

the picture, Adrian's decision had already been made. His eyes lit up with a wicked glint, and he sprang to the bag and grabbed it tightly, as if unwilling to let go. Unzipping it, he checked its

The scent rose in the air and he inhaled it like a

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

smile curled on her lips. It had been all too easy. The world was full of crooks, and even the well-dressed ones

that could easily be swept under the rug. But jobs didn't

contemplating excitedly about the money when a thought struck

do this? He is more familiar with the Tang Group than I

he were to do this, wouldn't

maybe I can just ask

off quickly, not letting

"Do not tell Joel!"

said sharply. The smug look on her face was now replaced

place well. If we

and this was no small job. They needed all the help they