A Graduation Gift

Rufus quietly opened the bedroom door to allow Cassandra to enter. Courtney had fallen asleep. Rufus knitted his eyebrows and
gazed at her, thoughtfully.
"Did you find out something?"
Cassandra looked at him hopefully.
"I'm guessing her boyfriend said something before he left her which turned her into what she's like now,"
Rufus replied, looking a little worn out. Because making one confess something that was bothering her very deeply was a
challenging task, both mentally and physically, for a hypnotist.
"What on earth did he say to her?"
Cassandra asked, partly thinking aloud.
"She hasn't mentioned it. It must be something that hurt her so deeply that she refuses to recall what it was. Again, hypnosis is
not a cure to everything. I have no way to dig into the thoughts that she subconsciously rejects,"
Rufus shook his head helplessly.
Cassandra let out a sigh. It looked like it would take much time before they get Courtney to allow her trauma to surface.
As Rufus looked at her disappointed face, an idea came to him.
"If it's okay with you, I will ask Victor to bring Joel here. We haven't turned him in yet. He might be of help,"
Rufus said, taking a look at Joel's photo in his hand. It was what he used to hypnotize Courtney just a few moments ago.
Cassandra remembered freezing when she saw Joel's photo in Courtney's locket. She guessed that something terrible must
have happened between them.
While her experience of Joel was rather disruptive—the man drugged her and plagiarized her work—Cassandra still could not
believe that he had anything to do with Courtney's illness.
"I'm scared that seeing Joel would make it worse. It's the reason why her mom kept her away from people," Cassandra replied.
"What if... We ask Joel what he has done to Courtney, instead?" Cassandra said thoughtfully.

She thought this might be the best solution after racking her brains
Rufus mused, nodding in agreement.
He thought of Joel's file. Joel worked as a Manager Assistant for two years in the Tang Group. Given the timeline, he must have
entered the Tang Group right after he broke up with Courtney.
The family columns in his file were left blank. None of his parents' names or his siblings' name were filled. It appeared that he
has deliberately been hiding his affiliation to Ivy the moment he entered the company.
Unfortunately, he was too bold and arrogant. It did not take long for him
and his relation to Ivy to be exposed. A hint of a scornful smile flashed through his lips. Ivy thought she was smart, but she did
not know she had become only a pawn in a premeditated game.
In the Tangs' home, Ivy's face was ashen as she held the phone in her hand.
Thanks to one of Joel's friends, Ivy found out that he had been missing for a week. The friend asked Ivy whether he should call
the police.
'What do I do? Did anything happen to him?'
Ivy thought. Her mind was in turmoil. She was at a loss for her next move.
'If something happened to Joel or if he got arrested, would he confess that we were siblings?'
she thought. Suddenly, she felt the fetus inside her, kicking.
Ivy hastened to press a hand on her belly. For some reason, her child's movement seemed to jolt her awake.
No! She decided she must keep her relationship with Joel a secret. Cassandra was still part of the Tang family. If anyone found
out that she had set her up, it would be impossible for her to inject herself into the Tangs.
What she should focus on for now was how to get rid of Cassandra before giving birth to the baby. Otherwise, she would be left
with no baby and no family as she would have to leave the moment her child was born.
"Miss Luo, Mrs. Tang is requesting your presence for lunch,"

a server announced gently outside the door.
"Okay, I am coming!"
Ivy answered. Setting her thoughts aside for now, she stood up and walked to the mirror to check on her appearance.
Finally, she decided that it was a waste of time to think of Joe. Getting rid of Cassandra was a more pressing issue.
While Ivy was walking downstairs, Jill looked at her grown belly, grinning ear to ear.
As they ate, she asked Ivy to eat more, every now and then.
"No one is more important than you right now. I am looking forward to seeing my grandson. I want you to know that what you are
doing is such a huge blessing to our family," she expressed.
Jill also fussed over her for fear that Ivy might lack nutrition, which in turn, would do harm to her grandchild.
'Huh! A huge blessing...' Ivy smiled back despite the thoughts in her head.
She knew in her heart that the Tang family only valued her because of the baby in her belly. Should something happen to it...
She suddenly realized something. What would happen if something did happen to the baby?
What would the Tangs do if someone hurt it?
This crazy and malicious thought possessed her. Ivy came up with a plan.
Her ultimate goal was to become Lionel's wife. 'Doesn't my pregnancy help me with that too?' she reminded herself.
Still, she was determined to win at any cost.
"Ivy, shop with me after lunch. The wife of the Chairman of Dawn Star Group invited me to attend her birthday party. I need to get
something to wear!"
Jill said, subconsciously raising her voice when she mentioned Mrs. Zhuang.
Though Horace and the Chairman of Dawn Star Group had been business partners for years, Jill and Mrs. Zhuang never
seemed to get along. In their youth, they vied for their looks. After becoming mothers, they compared their sons. Now, the
competition was about who would have a grandson first.

At the thought of her future grandson, a smug smile flashed her face. In this round of the competition, she surely got the upper
hand. 'Well, her Arthur still hasn't married yet, ' she thought in delight.
After lunch, the driver drove Jill and Ivy to the largest shopping mall in G City. From clothes, to handbags, to shoes, Ivy helped
Jill choose the most flattering and stylish pieces. Jill grinned when she saw herself in the mirror. It was exactly what she was
going for.
"You are the best, Ivy! Cassandra never accompanied me on any shopping trips. And she never helped me with my fashion
choices," Jill commented.
Remembering the gift that Cassandra sent her for her birthday made her feel very angry. It was a table centerpiece
made by a renowned sculptor in Rome. It was quite pricey, but because it was not something that could be worn or showed off,
what was the point of having it?
Ivy seemed to have better taste. During that same year, she sent her an accessory made of Jade as a gift. Everyone who saw it
would admire her taste and Jill liked that!
"Auntie, Cassandra is busy with work. I'm sure she doesn't have time to shop with you. Don't take it against her,"
Ivy replied. Deep inside, she felt delighted that Jill was starting to show a preference for her.
"No matter how busy she is, as a woman, it is her duty to take care of her husband and her children. Still, up to now, she can
seem to neither satisfy Lionel nor have a child. I really don't like her.
It's such a pity I didn't meet you earlier. If I did, I would not have consented to their marriage. Such a shame!" she retorted.
Jill always said what she thought. Ivy looked at Jill affectionately.
"Auntie, please don't dwell on it, I don't plan on marrying Lionel. It is already an honor for me to bear a child for the Tangs!" she
said.
Ivy smiled. Her remarks and humility made Jill sympathize with her even more.
The two women were about to go home when Ivy spotted a rather familiar couple.
The woman, petite, wore a sweet smile as she held the man's hand and looked up at him with unmistakable adoration.

The man, on the other hand, looked polished and handsome. It was difficult for anyone not to notice them.
'Arthur and Cloris? Why were they here? Are they in a relationship?'
Ivy's mind began to revive. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her.
"Auntie, look! Isn't that Arthur and Cloris?" she said pointing at the charming couple.
Following the direction that Ivy pointed at, Jill's face darkened.