A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 126

Jill heard Horace mention that Arthur was an ungrateful money-grubbing man. Ever since he took over the Dawn Star Group, he had poached the customers from Tang group despite the close relationship between their two families. What was even worse, Arthur had tried to mobilize other members of the Union to vote for his own company to lead the Union as its Director.

When Dawn Star Group was just a small company, Horace had consistently aided Arthur's father, who was the leader of the company then. He had even given away plenty of engineering projects to help Arthur's company grow.

Dawn Star Group should have been thankful for Horace's contributions. However, now that the Dawn Star Group was a bigger company under Arthur's leadership, the Group disrespectfully undermined the Tang Group. Horace attempted to hide his disappointment even when he went to the hospital to visit Arthur's father, since he couldn't blame the father for what happened to their companies. He knew Arthur acted out on his own. That was why, when Jill saw Arthur, her eyes immediately began to burn from anger.

She held her tongue despite wanting to shout at Arthur when she saw Cloris with him.

At present, stating that the Tang Group and the Dawn Star Group were in a tense competitive relationship was an understatement. It seemed that Cassandra's sister Cloris and Arthur were in love seeing that they're together. Jill's shoulders grew tense as she began to doubt Cassandra's loyalty to the Tang Group.

"It seems that Mr. Zhuang has become a prisoner of love. Cloris is as beautiful as her sister, Cassandra. No wonder he's fallen in love with her!"

Ivy said with a smile, deliberately mentioning Cassandra. Jill glared at Ivy as her doubt began to grow.

"There's no point in being beautiful if you don't have the brains to back it up. If Cassandra is loyal to the Tang family, how could she allow her sister to engage in a relationship with Arthur?"Jill chided.

When Jill first met Cloris, she had a good impression of her. But now, she disliked Cloris as much as she did to Cassandra.

"Auntie, don't be mad. People are free to choose who they want to love. This has nothing to do with loyalty. If one loves a person, it's because they saw something in them. Don't you think so?"

Ivy said with a meaningful look.

Looking at Ivy silently, Jill became more suspicious of Cassandra.

'It's because they saw something in them, ' Jill reiterated in her head. 'Maybe Cloris hooked up with Arthur for his money, ' she thought quietly.

'Yes, that's right. Vernon is in prison. They need money to pay the fines. Their mother Edith is a housewife and she has no way of getting her own income. Cassandra couldn't get any help from the Tang family, so Cloris is trying to look for a rich boyfriend to help the Qin family get out of their crisis!'

Jill deduced.

It was obvious that Cloris's relationship with Arthur would do no good to the Tang Group. Dawn Star Group was their sole competitor. If Cloris passed information to Arthur, he could use it to attack the Tang Group.

"Oh! Do you think there's love between them? Please! Don't make me laugh. The Qin family is evil. Cloris is no better,"

Jill insulted, eyes glaring at the couple.

"Auntie, just forget them. Let's go back!"

Ivy remarked, unable to let the smile come off of her face as she took Jill by the arm and walked her out of the mall. She was able to successfully trigger Jill's hatred for Cassandra.

"Ivy, you know there's a reason to look down on gold diggers. They're such shameless people!" Jill asserted as she let Ivy lead her away.

Afraid of being seen by Cloris, Ivy quickened her pace and took a detour to avoid the couple.

"Cloris, tomorrow is my mother's birthday. I want to invite you to come home with me tomorrow night. I think it's a good time to introduce you to her and the rest of the family. Get yourself a beautiful dress. Don't worry, I'll pay for it!"

Arthur said, winking as he gave Cloris's hand a squeeze.

Cloris blushed out of happiness. He had always been generous with his praise and admiration of her. Cloris had long ago fallen in love with him.

Cloris chose a pink, silk dress that was beautiful and expensive. Arthur reached out to the counter and swiped his card without a second thought.

"Honey, I'll have to meet a client later. You should go to the hotel first. I'll go find you when I'm done,"

Arthur whispered against Cloris's ear. She shot him a bashful look, batting her eyes and biting her lip. Cloris blushed once again.

"Hmm. Okay. But you need to come back as soon as you finish, okay?"

Cloris replied in a low voice. She grabbed her purchase and turned to walk away. Arthur looked at her back until she wasn't in sight any longer. A sinister smile spread across his face as he left the store.

Cloris returned to the hotel. After a long, comfortable shower, she changed into her pajamas. She lay in bed and watched TV as she waited for Arthur anxiously, not sure if she should feel nervous or excited.

She waited for a few hours, but Arthur still hadn't come back. Finally she grew tired and fell asleep.

In a little while, she slowly woke to find a man's body lying beside her. Her hand grazed against the man's arm by accident.

The TV and the lamp had been turned off, and it was impossible for her to see him in the darkness.

Cloris quietly whispered Arthur's name, her hand moving from his arm to his chest.

Her voice trembled slightly from feeling a mix of excitement, fear, and anticipation.

She heard the man's breath quicken at her touch and voice.

Before she knew it, he covered her lips with his own. Cloris was shocked and tried to pull away.