A Graduation Gift

Ivy was frantic and scared out of her mind on the police car going to the local station. Once they arrived, they went straight towards a bare-bones room with a huge one-way mirror. She sat on the nearby chair right across a police detective. Her mind went blank whenever a question was thrown at her. The cops were about to give up since they couldn't get any decent information out of her because she always answered by asking to contact Clark.

"I am his girlfriend. Clark Ji, I want to see him! Please, I need to see him."

Ivy's face was ghastly pale with fear. She kept repeating Clark's name.

"Cut the bullshit. Just answer the questions, and maybe we'll let you get in touch with your boyfriend!"

One detective impatiently tapped the table with his pen.

At that moment, the door swung wide open. A man in uniform promptly came in and whispered something to the detective.

Ivy was observing the situation and saw the detective's eyes widen as he looked at Ivy and then the uniformed officer. With a snort of contempt, he stood up and immediately went out the door. In a few moments, a familiar man came in the room.

"Thank God, Clark! You're finally here!"

Ivy practically jumped from her seat and threw herself into Clark's arms.

"Clark, I don't know what to do. Someone sued me. What do I do?"

Ivy felt hot tears stream down her face. She looked up expectantly at Clark, eyes wide open despite the tears.

"Don't worry. Just sit down."

Clark was surprisingly calm, given the current situation. Ivy detached herself from the embrace and slowly sat down.

"Clark, I don't know what to do. Adrian leaked the information and fingered me. He claimed that I hated Lionel for driving me out of his mansion, so I deliberately stole his group's business secrets for revenge."

Ivy didn't see all of this coming. She didn't expect that her carefully laid out conspiracy would be brought to light so quickly. To her great disappointment, Adrian had apparently betrayed her after he got the money.

"Ivy, the city...the city has taken a hardline stance against highly illegal criminal activities recently. I'm sure you know that Arthur's case is also under investigation. Things are pretty tense right now."

Clark's eyebrows furrowed with stress. Dejection was clearly written in his eyes.

He sighed deeply and continued, "The police have people who will testify against you in court, and even as far as physical evidence. I've already talked to my connections, but the authorities have already made their stance clear in cracking down on unfair competition, and insiders' influence in public bids. I really...I really can't do anything right now. Take one for the team. I promise I'll save you after I find a way out of this mess."

Clark fixed his eyes on Ivy with steely determination, anxiously waiting for her response.

What Clark had said left Ivy utterly speechless. Her mouth was agape in her incredible shock.

It was as clear as day. Clark saw her as a scapegoat, a patsy. He didn't come here to get her out.

"Clark, I've already given the hard drive to you. You can't just throw me under the bus like this."

Ivy unconsciously clenched her fists, her long nails biting into the soft skin of her palms, drawing a bit of blood.

I'll do everything in my power to find a solution later. Lionel got your brother out of prison. Are you

his eyebrows

in her expression. Clark saw that his words had

out. You, on the other hand, need

last syllable, Clark swiftly got up and left without so much as

shambles right now. What did she

everything she possibly could to attain a good life and a perfect marriage, but in the end, jail was waiting

like getting submersed in a tub full of ice

she realized that she had been duped and fallen into a trap she had little hope of escaping.

and the Dawn Star Group, the two most prominent real estate firms in the city,

Star Group was reported for illegal dealings, which led to the thorough investigation of its CEO.

the afternoon sunlight, Cassandra, who was making the final preparations for her

the plan. Check it

her iPad and pushed it towards Rufus with a smile, which

picked up the iPad and examined the plan meticulously. He then smiled and nodded in

good. I'll give

in the afternoon sunlight, which kind of formed

I've prepared all the materials. This time, he's going away for a really long

warm smile. His fingers were still caressing her soft face.

"Thank you, Rufus."

know what else she could say.

to resort to more harsh methods, such

to ensure your family's protection. If you confront him head-on, it will only intensify things and

to stay calm even in the most critical moments. He collected hard evidence and then accused Arthur. He showed him his smoking gun. Arthur had no way out

fact, he had no direct qualms about Arthur. He only did this for Cassandra's

know that you did all of this for me. I shouldn't have been so impulsive. I owe

He then frowned

of gratitude,

offered marriage again, which put Cassandra on guard.

my studio runs smoothly. It hasn't even opened

turned scarlet. She was unprepared

for you, Cassandra. No matter how long it

not to force Cassandra. He was willing to patiently wait before she said the much yearned for

were bathed in the warm afternoon shine. It all felt so natural and harmonious.

wait," Cassandra said like she suddenly remembered something, "Amanda and Clark's wedding is tomorrow. Have

that she almost forgot about

eyebrows and said in an indifferent tone, "A red

think anything else than a red packet was necessary. Amanda's wedding had nothing to do with him anyway.

appropriate for us to be

over her face. She just wanted to peacefully

out our red packet. We don't need to