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 her. She still could not seem to

still too young to understand. I firmly believe that things will

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

times, and Cassandra was no exception. The only thing she kept repeating to herself was that Cloris was still very young and that she

prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found herself accustomed to her

In time, she believed that Cloris would eventually

flash disk that contained the document he stole for

if he were counting cash. Making money was one of Adrian's biggest pleasures.

you serious?" Ivy

at Adrian with suspicion. It seemed impossible

secretary right now. Isn't that lucky? The knife was right

his face. He could still recall his own reaction when he found

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

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

his tale. She knew

bank account now," she

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

on his heart that

since the last time we did it together. I just completed a very difficult task for you.

his

embrace. His kisses

paid you! And

on her new target now. Adrian was a

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

Don't you remember how you threw yourself at me last time?" he said in between

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

force me to be rude!" Ivy shouted.

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

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

please, show some respect! I'm your friend's sister!" she exclaimed

her legs to kick him but he managed to dodge them swiftly.

a man does to a

said as he let out a loud, savage

and a figure appeared and

Adrian?" the man shouted with rage.

aside. Ivy hurriedly got

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

lost your mind? She's my sister!

and he gnashed his teeth with

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

just received, he did not need him anymore. He was not worth more than a piece of shit to him now.