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 restaurant, Cassandra was still standing in the same spot. Her hands were clenched into tight balls, her

of her sister's insults. She felt like she might die

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

got you

He'd never trusted Joel, and the guy always seemed to find himself in the middle of trouble

dodge around Rufus to get to the door. Tiny beads of sweat

question

let him go so easily and he stepped in front of Joel, blocking his way yet

besides, he stole her design and sold it to

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

But since he was long gone from the Tang Group, Joel thought

sure that you've never done

face otherwise expressionless. It amused him that this man stood before him pretending to be innocent, one eye constantly darting to the door, trying to

course, Joel knew exactly what Rufus was talking about. While he didn't

off from his forehead. His chest was constricted as he held

to the restaurant had already left. She didn't want any part of whatever situation

you're going. If I see you out in public ever again, I'll send you right back to prison without so much as blinking my eyes. Look into my

younger brother and with Ivy

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