A Graduation Gift

By the time Cassandra first left the room, Cloris's growing annoyance had escalated into a burning rage that was threatening to explode. She wanted to go straight to Arthur to ask him to clarify himself, but Edith stopped her.

Now the fact that her mother had consented to Cassandra and Rufus's marriage frustrated her to no end. Resentment gnawed her insides as she thought of how differently her mother treated them.

"We'll explain everything when we're ready. Please trust us, Cloris,"

Cassandra said, reaching out a hand to her younger sister. Cloris almost flinched at the thought of her sister's hand touching her. Before Cassandra could reach her, she stood up, shooting a venomous glare at Cassandra and darted upstairs without a word.

Cassandra stayed helplessly seated, following her sister with her eyes as she ran to her room. She was internally debating whether to follow her or not. Just as she was about to go after Cloris, her mother spoke, "Cassandra, it's getting late. It would be better for you to go back to your place. I know Cloris. We'll be able to persuade her later. Don't worry too much about it."

Sensing her elder daughter's worry, Edith assured her. Then, she turned to Rufus.

"Please take care of my daughter," she uttered each word clearly, looking straight into his eyes.

Rufus returned Edith's gaze. He needed no other words to understand. A myriad of expressions crossed over the older woman's face, but her eyes remained clear and undisturbed as she looked at him.

When she left her family home, Cassandra was still unable to believe what had happened. Her mother finally gave them her blessing. It was an immense relief, but all the same, it was also a source of great confusion. 'Why has she agreed so suddenly? What has changed her mind?' she wondered.

It was Rufus's voice that broke through her musings. "Cassandra, don't think too much. I'll take care of Arthur. Trust me, everything will be all right soon," he said.

thought of everything

and Rufus never forgot an offense. He would make sure to pay him

deep thought once

been far out of reach and longed-for, for a moment, reality and dreams would overlap. Cassandra succumbed to

few days later, the local prosecutor's office received an anonymous

a certain businessman's collusion with government officials to make profit from government projects. As investigations proceeded, Arthur's name was discovered among those

to prison,"

he was sure of it. But no matter how much he racked

some sort of history and dirt on them. It was a prerequisite for survival. Morals had no place in a game as ruthless as business, and with the right affiliations, anyone could get off the hook for anything. In this case however, the evidences

He no longer had time to cover up his tracks.

Clark replied coldly. "You

face was showing up one moment

cursed, walking back and forth as he grabbed at his hair. "This can't be happening to me. I'm at the prime of my life. I can't end up in prison like Vernon

voice bouncing off from

"Vernon Qin..."

as a thought came into his head.

who brought

the whole matter. It had caused a ruckus and had been on the news for a time. Now, it seemed as if Ivy was back with her little games