A Graduation Gift

Chapter 439 Loyalty

Ivy held on desperately to Clark. As of that moment, she deemed that playing pitiful was her best option as she stalled for time and frantically thought of a way out and to clear her name.

Her thoughts were halted with what Clark said next. "Ivy, if you really want to prove your loyalty, then there is one thing you can do."

His words were like an oasis. Finally, there was something she could do.

"What is it, Clark? I swear I'll do anything for you," she said, raising her head to him.

There was a hopeful light gleaming in her eyes.

"Tang Group's bid proposal,"

Clark uttered, drawing out the syllables slowly, as if savoring them. Ivy paled at his words.

The bid proposal!

That meant she would have to steal it.

Her heart raced wildly in her chest as her mind swirled in a whirlpool of thoughts.

Her arms hung stiffly around Clark, then as if on instinct, she retreated one step back from him.

Clark was quick to pick up her hesitation. Sighing, he spoke with a self-mocking look on his face, "I'm sorry. You're right. It's stupid. There's no way you would agree to do such a thing. It would be too dangerous."

His eyes never left her as he observed her face for any sign of reaction.

He was right. What he was asking of her was too dangerous. If she made even one single mistake and got caught, she would end up in prison. She looked at Clark, who was looking exhausted. If she didn't do it, he would not be taking her back, and all her hard work from before would have been all for nothing.

Clark raised a hand to his forehead, putting on an air of tiredness, as if he was clearing his thoughts.

"You should go now. I need to think about things. I'm too tired."

After weighing her options, Ivy had come to a conclusion.

"I'll do it," she said.

Resolve was written on her face. 'If it's just stealing the bid proposal, I won't have to do it myself. There are plenty of others who will do the job for the right price, ' she thought, already forming her plans.

'As long as I can get it for him, then everything's going to be alright. I can win him back with this, and he would not doubt me anymore.'

Looking into Clark's eyes, she could almost see the future she wanted. She was so close. If she could marry him, then she wouldn't have to worry about anything in her life ever again.

Clark seemed to be surprised at her answer, but his expression soon turned into doubt.

"Ivy, this is really dangerous, and not to mention…unethical. Should we just give it up?"

Clark sounded guilty, but his hesitation only served to fuel Ivy's determination instead.

"No, I want to do it!" she said, taking his hand in hers. "Clark, I will prove to you that you can trust me."

She looked into his eyes as she made her promise.

With a final squeeze of his hand, she turned and walked out of the room. Once the door closed, Clark's face broke into an unrestrained, menacing smile.

This bid was the only hope left for Tang Group. If they lost it, they would virtually be left with nothing.

On the other hand, it could also be an opportunity for them to get back on their feet. The project alone was big enough for them to start reclaiming their losses. But neither Arthur nor Clark would allow this to happen!

To Clark, crushing the Tang Group and taking away everything Rufus loved or cared about would bring him endless satisfaction. He could almost taste his victory. He reveled as images of hopeless faces of the Tangs—Lionel, Horace, and Rufus, flashed in his mind.

As for Ivy… She was a vain and stupid woman, but she could be useful—a handy tool and a loyal puppet. He was right to keep her at his disposal.

Steps echoed through the halls as Adrian entered Ivy's mansion. He saw her first, absent-mindely standing by the window, her back to him. With a sinister smile on his face, he approached her quickly and quietly, putting his arms around her in an embrace.

"What are you doing?"

Ivy said sharply, shrugging his arms off and moving to the couch to sit down. Crossing her legs, she sank down on the cushions with all the haughtiness of a queen.

"I have a job for you. You'll be graciously compensated. What do you say?"

she asked, looking at the man in front of her with an arrogant face. She knew this gangster well—he was clever and had his own ways of getting the job done. He would be the perfect choice for what she needed.

"Wow! Now we're talking."

Chuckling, he went to the back of the couch and rubbed her shoulders, giving her a massage.

Ivy slapped his hands away and continued in a serious tone, "You'll get a lot of money, but it wouldn't be an easy task. Of course, it goes to say that you do it well, and discreetly. No one can know about this. Do you understand?"

She was in no mood for his flirtation. All she was thinking about was only to get the thing done.

"What is it?"

Adrian asked, surprised but curious. Originally, he had thought that after what had happened between them in the garden last time, Ivy wanted him to please her again. But as it turned out, she needed him for something now.

"The Tang Group has a bid proposal, and I want you to steal it for me," she said directly.

Adrian was visibly shocked at her words.

"Are you crazy? This is against the law!"

He was far from a good person. He did not operate under society's morals, and he had actually done quite a number of unthinkable deeds, but he had always treaded the line of his job carefully. The Tang group was a big company, and it would not be wise to make an enemy of them.

If things went wrong, he would find himself in jail. That was absolutely out of the question.

"Quid pro quo. Money doesn't come round easily, you know," Ivy said simply, reaching for a bag under the table and throwing it to him.

"I'll speak your language. Here's the advance. There's 100, 000 in that bag. After you get the job done, I'll give you another 400, 000. You can make your decision now," she said. Noticing his hesitation, she added, "If you don't want it, I can always find someone else."

She knew he wouldn't be able to resist the offer, but even if he did, she would just have to find another person.

As expected, the moment money was in the picture, Adrian's decision had already been made. His eyes lit up with a wicked glint, and he sprang to the bag and grabbed it tightly, as if unwilling to let go. Unzipping it, he checked its contents.

There were ten stacks of paper bills. The scent rose in the air and he inhaled it like a man deprived of air.

When everything was done, he would get the full 500, 000—the money would last him a long time, even with his lavish lifestyle. There was no question in his mind now anymore.

Ivy watched as his face morphed into a greedy expression. A smug smile curled on her lips. It had been all too easy. The world was full of crooks, and even the well-dressed ones would not be able to resist cold, hard, cash.

Normally, Adrian would be a middleman for banned drugs, or commit other small, unnoticeable crimes that could easily be swept under the rug. But jobs didn't come by as often as these days. This job was a welcome opportunity, with its promise of loads of cash.

He was contemplating excitedly about the money when a thought struck him.

Turning to Ivy, he asked, "Why didn't you just call for Joel to do this? He is more familiar with the Tang Group than I am.

If he were to do this, wouldn't it be easier?

Or maybe I can just ask for his assistance…"

Ivy cut him off quickly, not letting him finish.

"Do not tell Joel!"

she said sharply. The smug look on her face was now replaced with sternness.

"What… Why? He knows the place well. If we work together, it would be so much easier!"

Adrian asked in surprise. Getting Joel's help would speed things up, and this was no small job. They needed all the help they could get.

"Stop asking. I'm warning you. There is no way you can let him know. Otherwise, forget your money. I'll get someone else to do this for me. You're not the only person who can do the job. If you can't follow my orders, someone else will!"

Ivy shot him a cold glance as she threatened him.

The more she had done, the more reason there was to hide her actions. She couldn't afford to involve Joel in this. If he were to be involved, she would have nobody to count on if she lost.

"No, no, no! I won't tell him!"

Adrian said anxiously and held the bag even tighter, as if he was afraid that Ivy would take the money back.

"Where is the bid proposal? Tell me what you know,"

he said, diverting the conversation to the plan.

"It's in the safe in the CEO's office," Ivy replied.

The safe was the only place the proposal could be in. Where else could such an important document be kept? Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Alright. I got it. I'll think of some way to get it,"

Adrian said, satisfied with the information he just received.

"If anything happens, do not reveal my name. Otherwise I'll kill you!"

Ivy threatened. This man was sly. She had to be careful.

"Then if I get caught, are you going to save me?"

he said with a playful smile. Her threats had no effects on him.

"Rest assured. Someone is going to save you. I could even take Joel out of jail. It wouldn't be hard to get you out,"

she assured him. For now, this should be enough to win his trust.

"I knew you wouldn't let me suffer!"

he exclaimed as he reached out to her. His hands started to find their way onto Ivy's body, which she abruptly slapped away. The pain from the impact made him cry out and wince.

"Why do women change so easily? You won't even allow me to touch you now."

There was nothing more tempting than something that was already in front of one's eyes—the woman sitting on the couch with her perfect curves all laid out in front of him. But there was nothing he could do with her continuous rejection.

"Hurry! Think of what you need to do and don't even think about getting your hands on me!"

Ivy answered, getting up to rush him, irritation showing in her face.

"Alright! As you wish. I'll go now."

Clutching the bag, he smiled contentedly and walked out.

After he closed the door, Ivy slumped down onto the couch like a deflated balloon. Relief washed over her as she thought back to what had just happened.

Finally, everything was handled. All that was left to do now was wait.