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

believe that things will get better

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

own prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found herself accustomed

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

disk that contained the document he stole

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

really it? Are you serious?" Ivy asked in

her eyebrows, she looked at Adrian with suspicion. It seemed impossible for her that

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

He could still recall his own reaction when he found out about this. He

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 realize what had happened, he had them duplicated

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

tale. She knew

account now,"

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

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 his lips

together. I just completed

murmured as he kissed her, his breath

struggled to escape his embrace. His

Adrian! I've paid you! And we are

her new target now. Adrian was

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

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

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

off! Adrian, don't force me to be

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

no, darling, be rude to me. Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like that. Show me what you've got,"

bitch! Adrian, please, show some respect! I'm your friend's sister!"

he managed to dodge them swiftly. He then

will worship you as a man does to a woman. I will give you my all and you can count on

he let out a loud,

a figure appeared and froze at the sight of them.

the hell are you doing, Adrian?" the

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

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

your mind? She's my sister! How dare

his wit's end and he gnashed

got to his feet and replied with indifference, "Your sister asked me to come over. That's

did not care much for his friend now. With the money he just received, he did not need him anymore. He was not worth more than a piece of shit