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?"

but his hesitation only served to fuel Ivy's determination instead.

she said, taking his hand in hers. "Clark, I will prove to you that you can

his eyes as she made her promise.

of the room. Once the door closed, Clark's face broke into an

If they

hand, it could also be an opportunity for them to get back on their feet. The project alone was big

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, and

useful—a handy tool and a loyal puppet. He was

the window, her back to him. With a

"What are you doing?"

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

you. You'll be graciously compensated. What do you

looking at the man in front of her with an arrogant face. She knew this gangster well—he was clever and had his own ways of getting

"Wow! Now we're talking."

the back of the couch and

an easy task. Of course, it goes to say that you do it well, and discreetly. No one can know about this. Do

for his flirtation. All she was thinking about was only to get the thing

"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, she needed him for

Tang Group has a bid proposal, and I want you to steal it

was visibly shocked

crazy? This is against

far from a good person. He did not operate under society's morals, and 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 it would not be

things went wrong, he would find himself in jail. That was absolutely

said simply, reaching for a bag under the table and throwing it

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

resist the offer, but even if he did, she would just have to find another person.

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

in the air and he inhaled

500, 000—the money would last him a long time, even with his lavish lifestyle. There was no question in his mind now

A smug smile curled on her lips. It had been all too easy. The world was full of crooks, and even the

would be a middleman for banned drugs, or commit other small, unnoticeable crimes that could easily be swept under the rug. But jobs didn't come by as often as these days.

excitedly about the money when

to do this? He is more familiar with the

do this, wouldn't

just ask for his

off quickly, not letting him finish.

"Do not tell Joel!"

look on her face was

If we work together, it would

asked in surprise. Getting Joel's help would speed things up, and this was no small job. They needed all the help they could get.