A Graduation Gift

There was once an Emperor from the Tang Dynasty who asked his men to spur the flying horse at high speed to bring him lychees from miles and miles away all because his favorite concubine was very fond of them. Now, in a similar fashion, Rufus was willing to give Cassandra anything to make her happy.

"You bought this for me?"

Cassandra asked, bright-eyed and pleasantly surprised.

"Yes, and I have something very important to tell you. Actually, I bought this studio for you because I know that you don't want to stay home as a housewife. Let's face it, you love working! That said, I think it would be better for you to start your own business. That's better than working for other people. I got this for you to help you start,"

he replied as he looked at her with loving eyes.

Warmth filled Cassandra. What Rufus did was genuinely sincere and thoughtful.

On the other hand, she could not help but feel that she did not deserve such a wonderful gift.

"Okay, I know you don't want to accept it free, so how about you pay me rent? What do you think?" Rufus immediately suggested.

He definitely knew her very well. The hesitation on her face had betrayed her and Rufus knew exactly how to respond even before she could say anything.

Cassandra beamed with a smile as bright as sunshine.

"You are starting to know me very well," she remarked.

It touched her that Rufus seemed very accommodating to her personal sentiments and was willing to compromise.

"I'm very flattered. Anyway, all you have to do now is think of what you want to do with this place!" he replied with satisfaction.

The smile on her face was enough to put him at ease.

Cassandra's happiness made him feel invincible.

Cassandra cocked her head with thought. There were no ideas at the top of her head at the moment.

"You don't have to answer right now. Take your time! For now, let's find somewhere to eat," Rufus suggested.

Then, he took his coat and led Cassandra out with his arm around her shoulders. Cassandra, in turn, leaned against him as they walked to a restaurant that served Western cuisine.

In its pleasant ambiance, Rufus and Cassandra found a table and took their seats.

Not long after they did, though, Arthur and Cloris walked in.

They immediately spotted Rufus and Cassandra as they entered. Likewise, the couple saw Arthur and Cloris as well.

Cloris rolled her eyes and turned towards the opposite side of the restaurant. She, apparently, had no plans of coming over and saying hello.

With knitted eyebrows, Rufus examined Cassandra's reaction from the corner of his eyes.

"Your younger sister seems to have issues," Rufus whispered.

desolation on Cassandra's eyes made him sorry for

understand. I firmly believe that things

to herself than to Rufus. She tried hard to understand her sister, but deep down, she could

thing she kept repeating to herself was that

own prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found

she believed that

the document he stole for

as if he were counting cash. Making money was one

it? Are you serious?" Ivy asked in disbelief.

eyebrows, she looked at Adrian with suspicion. It seemed impossible for her that he would manage to acquire it so

ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't that lucky?

could still recall his own reaction when he found out about this. He could

of coffee, and there, managed to steal her keys from her purse when she excused herself to go to the lavatory. Before she could

office without anyone noticing. Just as quickly as he got the keys, he copied the documents

as he told his tale. She knew that Adrian

bank account now,"

looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It

his heart that he could not somehow manage to scratch. Suddenly, he stepped forward, pulled Ivy towards him and put his

it together. I just completed a very difficult task for

his breath

to escape his embrace. His

Adrian! I've paid

on her new target now. Adrian was a distraction.

if they did not know each other. It would be safer

shy. I know you want it. Don't you remember how you threw yourself at me last

felt as if it were going to jump

Adrian, don't force me

full strength but to no avail. Adrian was

darling, be rude to me. Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like

of a bitch! Adrian, please, show some respect! I'm your friend's

dodge them swiftly. He then pushed her

man does to a woman. I will give you my

as he let out a loud, savage

opened and a figure appeared and froze at the sight of

are you doing, Adrian?" the man shouted with rage.

Adrian aside. Ivy hurriedly got up, wrapped her robe around her

was left still seated on the ground. Joel's arrival was

She's my sister!

was at his wit's end and he gnashed

looked at him. He calmly got to his feet and replied with indifference, "Your sister asked

for his friend now. With the money he just received, he did not need him