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 on Cassandra's

too young to understand. I firmly believe that things will get better as she grows older,"

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

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

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

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

passed her a flash disk that contained the document he stole for her. Beaming widely, he remarked, "Here you go.

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

Are you serious?"

her eyebrows, she looked at Adrian with suspicion. It seemed impossible for her that he would manage to acquire it so

not, my ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't that lucky? The knife was right inside the butcher's

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

steal her keys from her purse when she excused

then found 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 copied the

listened incredulously as he told his tale. She knew that Adrian was

me your bank account now," she

transferred the 400, 000 she had promised. Adrian looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get work done.

itch on his heart that he could not somehow manage to scratch. Suddenly, he stepped forward, pulled Ivy towards him and put his lips on

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

kissed her, his breath getting heavier and heavier.

struggled to escape his embrace. His kisses disgusted her.

paid you! And

focused on her new target now. Adrian

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

you want it. Don't you remember how

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

Adrian, don't force me to be rude!"

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

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

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

kick him but he managed to dodge them swiftly. He then pushed her to

I'm not just going to respect you. I will worship you as a man does to a woman. I will give you my all and you

let out a

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

hell are you doing, Adrian?" the

hurriedly got up, wrapped her robe

arrival was something he did not expect. The interruption annoyed him.

my sister! How dare you!" Joel shouted in turmoil.

at his wit's end and he gnashed

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

was that Adrian 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