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.

same spot. Her hands were clenched into tight balls, her lips trembling slightly as she tried

her sister's insults.

tried to slowly remove himself from the situation but Rufus reached out his arm to stop

it Lionel who got you out

and the guy always seemed to

around Rufus to get to the door. Tiny beads of sweat were forming on

answer my question

stepped in front of Joel, blocking his way

front of him had planned to rape Cassandra before, and besides, he stole her design and sold it to someone else later. Thus, he needed to get things straightened before Joel would do something to hurt

don't know what I might have done to offend you but would you please let

design. But since he was long gone from the Tang Group, Joel thought he would never see him again. And

sure that you've never done anything to offend

It amused him that this man stood before him pretending to

talking about. While he didn't offend Rufus

drip off from his forehead. His

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 left

again, I'll send you right back to prison without so

was Ivy's younger brother and with Ivy seeing Clark recently, these siblings were

go of his breath and, seeing his opening, shot past Rufus with a speed as quick