A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was frozen inside and out, as though a bucket of icy water had been poured right over her head and chilled her to the bone.

Cloris's cutting words were like daggers to her heart, the pain spreading all through her body.

Rufus had been standing aside trying not to interfere in the sisterly fight. But as he saw Cloris get more and more defensive, he decided to step in.

"What do you mean, Cloris? What did Cassandra do to make you hate her so badly?" he asked, astonished at how quickly their argument had escalated.

Rufus had sensed that Cloris had been skirting around the real issue and he was curious to know what she was hiding.

But this was neither the time nor the place for Cloris to dive into it. After all, she wasn't about to destroy her reputation in front of so many strangers.

"You have no right to know!"

Cloris rolled her eyes, dismissing Rufus's incredulous questions.

"Then, who does have the right to know?"

Rufus persisted, his eyes fixed upon Cloris's stone-cold face.

"It doesn't matter. Not you, anyways," Cloris retorted.

She pushed him aside, dashing towards the door to the restaurant. Arthur hurried to pay the bill and rushed out after her.

the same spot. Her hands were clenched into tight balls, her lips trembling slightly as she tried to hold back the tears.

wake of her sister's

Joel tried to slowly remove himself from the situation but Rufus

who got you out of

guy always seemed to

to the door. Tiny beads of sweat were forming on his forehead and his shirt

question before

he stepped in front of Joel, blocking his way yet again.

stole her design and sold it to someone else later. Thus, he needed to get things straightened before Joel would

offend you but would you please let me go. I have to be somewhere," Joel asked

from the Tang Group, Joel thought he would never see him again. And yet, by some horrible

you sure that you've never done anything

face otherwise expressionless. It amused him that this man stood before him pretending to be innocent,

exactly what Rufus was talking about. While he didn't offend Rufus directly,

forehead. His chest was constricted as he held his breath in

girl with whom he'd come to the restaurant had already left. She didn't want any part of whatever situation that was unfolding. Joel was

watch where you're going. If I see you out in public ever again, I'll send you right back to prison

well that Joel was Ivy's younger brother and with Ivy seeing Clark recently, these siblings

of his breath and, seeing his opening, shot past Rufus with a speed as quick as lightening and disappeared out