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.

was used to Cloris acting as she wished without any consideration for other people. Still, the desolation on Cassandra's eyes made him sorry for her. She still could not seem to let go of

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

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

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

didn't set aside her own prejudice. Eventually,

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

contained the

if he were counting cash. Making money was

this really it? Are you

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

my ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now.

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

when she excused herself to go to the lavatory. Before she could realize what had

a way to shut off the whole building's security system and snuck into Lionel's office without anyone noticing. Just as quickly as he got the keys, he

tale. She knew that Adrian was many things

account now," she

bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get work done. Then, he turned his gaze to Ivy.

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

the last time we did it together. I just completed a very difficult

her, his

to escape his embrace. His kisses

alone, Adrian! I've paid you! And we

her new target now. Adrian was a distraction.

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

come on, baby. Don't be shy. I know you want it. Don't you remember how

scent intoxicated him. His heartbeat was so fast that it felt as if it were going to jump out of his chest. Overwhelmed with

me to

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

to me. Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like that. Show me what you've

please, show some respect! I'm

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

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

he let out

door opened and a figure appeared and froze at the sight of them.

Adrian?" the

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

on the ground. Joel's arrival was something he did not expect.

sister! How dare you!" Joel shouted in

end and he

on the other hand, barely looked at him. He calmly got to his feet and replied with indifference, "Your sister

just received, he did