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.

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

to understand. I firmly believe that

tried hard to understand her sister, but deep

could breathe easily with a sibling who openly hated 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

set aside her own prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found herself accustomed to

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

at Ivy's house, Adrian passed her a flash disk that contained the document he stole for

cash. Making money was

this really it? Are you serious?" Ivy asked in

she looked at Adrian with suspicion. It seemed impossible for her that he would manage

or not, my ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right

explained with a smug expression on his face. He could still recall his own reaction when he found out

asked 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

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

She knew that Adrian was many things but

bank account now,"

looked at his bank statement with satisfaction.

a thin robe over her nightgown as her long, curly hair rested softly on her shoulders. Adrian felt an itch on his heart that he could not somehow manage to scratch. Suddenly,

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

kissed her, his

his embrace. His

paid you! And we are

new target

fact, she would have preferred to never see him again, as if they did not know each other. It would be safer too, in case anyone went snooping. When push came to shove, she definitely would not let Adrian ruin her plan.

remember how you threw yourself at me

felt as if it were going to jump out of his chest. Overwhelmed with desire, he could barely control

don't force me to be rude!" Ivy shouted.

at full strength but to

Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like that. Show me what you've got," he answered.

respect!

he managed to dodge them swiftly. He

you. I will worship you as a man does to a woman. I will give you my all

let out a

appeared and froze

hell are you doing, Adrian?" the man

immediately rushed towards them and pushed Adrian aside. Ivy hurriedly got up, wrapped her robe

Joel's arrival was something he did not

my sister! How dare

wit's end and he

to his feet and replied with indifference, "Your sister asked me to

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