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

hand in hers. "Clark, I will

looked into his eyes as she

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

Tang Group. If they lost it, they would virtually be left with nothing.

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

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

useful—a handy tool and a loyal puppet. He

standing by the window, her back to him. With a sinister smile on his face, he approached her quickly and quietly, putting his arms around

"What are you doing?"

shrugging his arms off and moving to the couch to sit down. Crossing her legs, she sank down on the cushions

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

her with an arrogant face. She knew this gangster well—he was clever and had his own ways of getting the job done. He would

"Wow! Now we're talking."

the back of the couch and rubbed her shoulders, giving her a

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

All she was

"What is it?"

asked, surprised but curious. Originally, he had thought that after what had happened between them in the garden last time, Ivy wanted him to please her again. But as it turned out,

want you to steal

shocked at her words.

This is

under society's morals, and he had actually done quite a number of unthinkable deeds, but he had always

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 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 someone

but even if he did, she would just have to find

money was in 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

in the

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

curled on her lips. It had been all too easy. The world was full of

small, unnoticeable crimes that could easily be swept under the rug. But jobs didn't come by as often

excitedly about the money when a

didn't you just call for Joel to do this? He is more familiar with the Tang Group

he were to do this, wouldn't it be easier?

just ask for

cut him off quickly, not letting him

"Do not tell Joel!"

smug look on her

knows the place well. If we

speed things up, and this was no