A Graduation Gift

Remorse and guilt filled Cassandra. Seeing Edith worry made her even more concerned.

"Mom, it has nothing to do with Cloris. As for what she said, I will find a way to investigate it!" she promised.

By this time, what she initially came for was no longer significant. Besides, there was nothing they could do about it anymore. What happened had happened. She was the one who gave the flash drive to Lionel but she was certain that she was not the one who caused the mess.

The real culprit was Arthur. He was the one she needed to confront, not Cloris.

"Cassandra, what's wrong?"

Edith asked, wondering why her daughter looked so puzzled. She studied her expression in hopes of making something out of it.

"Mom, believe me. This has nothing to do with Cloris. I'm sure of it. I'll do what I can to fix it. As for Arthur..."

she reassured her mother. Then, she glanced at Cloris, worried.

"Please be careful around him. He is not a man that can be trusted,"

she said with conviction. The fact that he made Cloris do something so harmful to someone else spoke volumes of what kind of person he really was.

Moreover, she also remembered a time when she was still working with the Tang Group and Arthur stole a project that had already been awarded to them. Since then, she had known that he was not a man of ethics.

Cloris glared at Cassandra, irritated.

"What do you think you are saying, Cassandra? Arthur has always treated me with respect. Don't you dare stir things up between us!" she remarked.

Cloris loved Arthur and she trusted him with her whole heart. Hearing Cassandra talk about him the way she did, offended her.

Unwilling to argue, Cassandra merely stood up and looked at her sister.

"Mom, I'll go now. Please keep an eye on Cloris. I don't know what will happen to her otherwise,"

she said softly as she made her exit. Arthur had always played dirty tricks. She could not imagine what worse things he could come up with. Cloris was so naive. At least Edith had a suspicion that something was wrong. As for Cassandra, her primary concern was to make sure that her family was safe.

"Ok, I know what to do,"

Edith replied. Knowing what happened to Cloris was enough to shock her. Realizing what her daughter had been through made her more vigilant in safeguarding her family. Despite Arthur's gentleman facade, she learned to anticipate something else that he could be hiding.

Cassandra walked out in haste. Rufus, who had been waiting at the courtyard, grew concerned when he saw Cassandra's urgent demeanor.

"Cassandra, what happened?" he inquired.

guesses on what had happened, but since he did not see it firsthand,

Cassandra's anxiety confirmed his suspicion that there really was something problematic that occurred.

need to talk to Arthur,"

Still, there was conviction

her by the arm, and looked at her

What are you planning to do with

something was about to go terribly

something I want to tell you,"

deep breath and looked at

"What is it?"

she was

reason why I wasn't able to help you in the studio and the reason why I wasn't able to

the truth relieved her. It felt as if a huge weight were taken off her

to react, Rufus was calm. He merely looked at her with a knowing gaze

woman you are, Cassandra, ' he thought to himself. 'How could you have thought

the documents right when it was already time to present it in the bidding. The Tang Group failed to get the project. And

Arthur as a hideous snake, sneaking around and twisting his cold and slender body. Venom shot from his mouth as he came up behind Cloris. The image sent shivers down her spine.

him now

asked, challenging Cassandra's

then? He used Cloris as a tool to harm us. I can't just let him get away with this. He can't keep doing

defensively. Her heart clenched thinking about how manipulative and diabolical Arthur was, and the harm that he was

I won't let you go alone. Arthur is not easy

message was clear: he did not agree with Cassandra's impulsive

and I have to solve it myself. You don't understand, Rufus. This is personal. My family

now, she wanted to fight Arthur. The last thing

my girlfriend. Your business is

replied. He was more determined to defend his position than Cassandra was.

stunned Cassandra. Looking at his eyes, she saw a glimmer of strength that

me as an outsider, then I believe that there is one thing I need to do to convince you how serious

hand and led her back

door open.

am hoping that you

announced, stunning

but he held her hand so tightly that no matter

What are you

Rufus. She could not believe what he just said. He did not even discuss it