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.

now, he was used to Cloris acting as she wished without any consideration for other people. Still, the desolation on

to understand. I firmly believe that things will get better as

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

exception. The only thing she kept repeating to

prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found herself

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

that contained the document he stole for her. Beaming widely, he remarked,

as if he were counting cash. Making money

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

impossible for her that he would manage

it or not, my ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't that lucky?

his face. He could still recall his own reaction when he found out about this. He could not

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.

to shut off the whole building's security system and snuck into Lionel's office without anyone noticing.

incredulously as he told his tale. She knew that Adrian was

me your bank account now," she

transferred the 400, 000 she had promised. Adrian looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get

softly on her shoulders. Adrian felt an itch on his heart that he could not somehow manage to scratch.

it together. I just completed a very difficult task for you. How about a

murmured as he kissed her, his breath getting heavier and

struggled to escape his embrace. His kisses disgusted

paid you! And we are even

target now. Adrian

would be safer too, in case

remember how you threw yourself at me last time?" he said in between gasps.

that it felt as if it were going to jump out of his chest. Overwhelmed with

Adrian, don't force me to

to push him away at full strength but to no avail. Adrian was just too

me. Do whatever you want. I like that. Show

bitch! Adrian, please, show some respect!

legs to kick him but he managed to dodge them swiftly. He then pushed her to the ground and went on

as a man does to a woman. I will give

he let out a loud, savage laugh.

appeared and froze at the sight

Adrian?" the man shouted

and pushed Adrian aside. Ivy hurriedly got up, wrapped her robe around her and ran to

seated on the ground. Joel's arrival was something

sister! How dare you!" Joel

end and he

calmly got to his feet and

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