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?"

his hesitation only served to fuel Ivy's

hand in

eyes as she made

his hand, she turned and walked out of the room. Once the door closed, Clark's

for Tang Group. If they lost it, they

could also be an opportunity for them to get back on their feet. The project alone was big enough for them to start reclaiming their losses. But neither

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,

Ivy… She was a vain and stupid woman, but she could be useful—a handy tool and a loyal

Ivy's mansion. He saw her first, absent-mindely standing by the window, her back to him. With a sinister smile on his

"What are you doing?"

the couch to sit down. Crossing her

for you. You'll be graciously compensated. What

this gangster well—he was clever and had his own ways of getting the job done. He would be the perfect

"Wow! Now we're talking."

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

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

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

"What is it?"

in the garden last time,

want you to steal

visibly shocked at her

crazy? This is against the

number of unthinkable deeds, but he had always treaded the line of his job carefully. The Tang group was a

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

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

you get the job done, I'll give you another 400, 000. You can make your decision now," she said. Noticing his hesitation,

wouldn't be able to resist the offer, but even if he did, she would just have to

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

were ten stacks of paper bills. The scent rose in the

was done, 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

morphed into a greedy expression. A smug smile curled on her lips. It had been all too

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. This job was a welcome

was contemplating excitedly about the money when a thought struck

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

he were to do this, wouldn't

can just ask for his

him off quickly,

"Do not tell Joel!"

on her face was

Why? He knows the place well. If we work together, it would be so

and this