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.

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

believe that things will get better as she grows

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

she kept repeating to herself was that

aside her own prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra

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

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

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

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

with suspicion. It seemed impossible for her that he would manage to acquire

ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't that lucky? The

his own reaction when

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, he had them duplicated and

whole building's security system and snuck into Lionel's office without anyone noticing. Just as quickly as he got the keys, he copied the documents and slipped out

listened incredulously as he told his tale. She knew that Adrian was many things but not a liar.

me your bank account now," she

400, 000 she had promised. Adrian looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get work done. Then, he turned his gaze

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, he stepped forward, pulled Ivy towards him and put

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

kissed her, his breath getting heavier and

embrace. His

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

target now. Adrian was

never see him again, as if they did not know each other. It would be safer too, in case anyone went snooping. When push

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 desire,

force me to be

strength but to no

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

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

managed to dodge them swiftly. He then pushed

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

as he let out a loud,

and a figure appeared and froze at the

Adrian?" the man shouted with

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

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

lost your mind? She's my sister! How dare you!" Joel shouted in turmoil.

was at his wit's end and

barely looked at him. He calmly got to his feet and replied with indifference, "Your sister asked me to

now. With the money he just received, he did not need him anymore. He was not worth more than a