A Graduation Gift

A faint, shadowy smile passed through Clark's lips. 'You foolish woman, ' he thought to himself darkly. 'To think that you would stoop this low to take revenge on Rufus. How pathetic.'

"Whatever you want. I will send the invitation to Rufus myself. He will see with his own eyes how happy you are on our wedding day,"

he promised readily in front of Charlie even as his heart was filled with contempt for Amanda.

When Clark left, Charlie turned to Amanda and urged her to return to her bedroom.

"It's late. You should go and rest. You should take care of yourself, especially now that you're pregnant." Standing up, he continued, "I'm going back to the headquarters to prepare for your wedding. Clark's hands are too full to attend to the matters of the group. I have to do whatever I can to help him."

Now that Clark was going to be his son-in-law, Charlie had begun to look out for him more. After all, he would be part of the family in just a short time now.

It was something that went exactly as Clark had planned. Charlie would be a useful piece in this little game he was playing. If he won him over to his side, Rufus would be left with no allies. And when the perfect timing came, he would strike, and Rufus would be left helpless. He was brimming with excitement at the thought of Rufus's downfall, but for now, he had to be patient.

Charlie hurriedly left after only a short stay. Amanda silently followed her father's receding figure with her eyes, biting her tongue against the words that wanted to come out.

Charlie arrived in anger, but now watching his light steps, Amanda knew that he was feeling none of his earlier animosity, all due to her decision.

A tugging feeling crept through Amanda's chest. Was it the right decision?

She began to shiver despite the heat in the room.

The coldness seeped to her bones, racking her frame with shivers. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. She felt more isolated than ever. No one knew that she was forcing herself to do something she didn't want to. She was all alone.

"The walls should be painted with vibrant colors. Green and yellow would work the best."

"I want a relaxing feel to the room, and the furnishings should be both modern and practical."

...

Cassandra described her design concept in detail to Rufus, taking down notes and sketching initial plans from time to time. Rufus listened to her attentively, delighting in the way her eyes gleamed as she spoke animatedly and explained her ideas. Like this, he could watch her all day.

Cassandra's hands were steady as she drew her vision for the new studio. She wanted everything to be perfect.

Just then, the doorbell rang, halting Cassandra's words. Rufus smiled at her and said, "We have a guest. I'll go see who it is."

He stood up and went out of the study to check the monitor.

His mood instantly soured at the face on the screen. Clark was standing outside the door, waiting for his hosts.

After a short moment, the man seemed to have sensed Rufus's gaze from the other side. He smiled at the monitor, but his eyes darkened with coldness.

Rufus watched him with an equally cold stare and pressed a button to let him in.

"Rufus, who's that?"

called out from the study, thawing the atmosphere

"Clark."

but at the mention of Clark's name, her feet had involuntarily stopped.

Why was

have an appointment with him?" Cassandra asked, keeping her voice steady.

could think of for Clark's

I'll go see what he wants," Rufus

still smiling. For a moment, neither of them

was a windy, snowy night, and the chill only seemed to be magnified by the two men's silent encounter. Cassandra shivered as the door opened, but it was not entirely

door halfway, so as to prevent the chill

chuckle broke the silence between them. "I can't believe you've forgotten common courtesy, Rufus.

left his face as his eyes gleamed with

What do you

responded icily. He was in no mood for

taking a step back, Clark made a show of being hurt. "How you wound me. We have known each

he might have believed his show of sincerity. But knowing what he had done, his little performance

are you

to get

a red envelope from his jacket and handed it to

an invitation to my wedding with Amanda," he said slowly, drawing out the words and watching Rufus's face closely. "I hope you and Cassandra will be

to Rufus, who subconsciously took it. Rufus was taken off guard by his words, but he kept his

be there,"

to see how he would react, and there was no way he

eyes watch him, undoubtedly looking for any semblance of change in his expression. Then, after a moment, Clark withdrew with a quick goodbye and left.

as he turned round, Clark's face seethed in anger.

a bitch. Let's see how calm you would be at the wedding, ' he

him with cold eyes as he walked away, and then closed the

Rufus entered, Cassandra was quick to notice the red

"What is it?"

setting the tray down.

and Amanda's wedding invitation,"

said indifferently as he threw the envelope on the table.

went to the invitation on the table, to Rufus, and then back

and

more from her shock.

to marry," he shrugged. "Although, I don't know why she chose Clark. Maybe she really likes

Cassandra felt strange. She bit her lip thoughtfully as

the sofa. Rufus turned on the TV and watched the news. Cassandra

was with Clark for some time, and even then, I hadn't been able to completely understand him. He says one thing, but does something else

under her breath, her voice laced