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.

any consideration for other people. Still, the desolation on

understand. I firmly believe that things will get

to herself than to Rufus. She tried hard to understand her sister, but deep down, she could not keep herself from being hurt by her

her at all times, and Cassandra was no exception. The only thing she kept repeating to herself was that Cloris was still very young and that she would soon outgrow her

prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found

she was determined to stay patient and persist. In time, she believed that Cloris would eventually

her a flash disk that contained the document

were counting cash. Making money was

Are you serious?"

impossible for her that

be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't that lucky? The knife was right inside

own reaction when he found

his ex-girlfriend out for a cup of coffee, and there, managed to steal her keys from her purse when she excused herself to go to the lavatory. Before she could realize what had happened,

system and snuck into Lionel's office without anyone noticing. Just as quickly

as he told his tale. She knew that Adrian was many things but not

me your bank account now,"

promised. Adrian looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get work done. Then,

an itch on his heart that he could not somehow manage to

just completed a

murmured as he kissed her, his breath getting

escape his embrace. His

I've paid you! And we are

was focused on her new target now. Adrian was a

did not know each other. It would be safer too, in case anyone went snooping. When push came to shove, she

on, baby. Don't be shy. I know you want it. Don't you remember how you threw yourself at me last time?" he

was so fast that it felt as if it were going

force me to be rude!" Ivy

but to no avail. Adrian was just

Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like

show some respect! I'm your friend's sister!"

kick him but he managed to dodge them swiftly. He then pushed

as a man does to a woman. I will give you my all and you can count

he let out a loud, savage laugh.

opened and a figure appeared and froze at

the hell are you doing, Adrian?" the

towards them and pushed Adrian aside. Ivy hurriedly got up,

ground. Joel's arrival was something he did not expect. The interruption annoyed him.

She's my sister! How dare you!" Joel shouted in turmoil.

was at his wit's end and

on the other hand, barely looked at him. He calmly got to his feet and

reality was that Adrian did not care much for his friend now. With the money he just received, he did