A Graduation Gift

All eyes turned to the lone figure who spoke. Lionel stood up with a smile and an air of confidence.

He started for the stage as soon as the words left his lips and stopped right beside Amanda.

Amanda was disappointed at Rufus's reaction and expected that he wouldn't do anything more today. She thought she was going to be stuck in this awkward situation. Surprisingly, Lionel was the one who rescued her. She felt grateful.

She didn't let this opportunity pass and immediately took advantage when Lionel made the offer. They signed the contract on the spot. The thunderous applause sounded soon after.

Horace, who was on the edge of his seat, secretly sighed in relief. Fortunately, Lionel came forward with a solution with to tricky problem. Otherwise, he could already see the headlines for tomorrow's paper—Tang Group, too arrogant?

"What's wrong with you, Rufus? It's an honor to be invited by Miss Ke. Why didn't you take the chance?"

He asked Rufus with an unpleasant tone. His eyebrows were furrowed.

This was the perfect chance for Tang Group to make its mark in history. What on earth was Rufus thinking by not making a move?

Rufus just stayed silent and observed the jubilant Amanda and Lionel shaking hands onstage.

He didn't like this form of coercion. Amanda attempted to force him into making some kind of response. He hated being forced most of all.

After signing the contract, Lionel went back to his seat. Amanda bowed deeply and ended the concert right there. She proceeded backstage amidst the deafening applause.

Rufus had planned to leave wordlessly, but Horace stopped him by placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, Rufus?"

Horace asked suspiciously. He was visibly angry at Rufus.

Rufus did not fear him. He merely turned around and asked in return, "Father, don't you think the contract signing was a hasty move?"

He frankly spoke his mind.

Lionel, who was standing beside them, frowned at what he said. Rufus was clearly implying that his decision was too hasty.

"What? I don't see it like that. What I saw is that you refused to make the right decision at such a critical time. You disappoint me!"

Horace was quite livid whenever he remembered the crucial moment. He had always believed Rufus to be a reliable man who would always make the right decision; but today, he decided to close his eyes to the situation when it came to Amanda.

"Even if you didn't want the contract signed, you could have said something. How could you leave her hanging onstage like a fool?"

still blaming Rufus while Lionel jibed with

Ke invited us in her kindness. You could have at least said something. She is the official spokesperson for the Department of Tourism. She is endorsed by the government itself.

teach Rufus a lesson. He kept the ball rolling while Horace was

just sneered then turned

her piano school been reported to the government? Is the government even aware of it? Do

with an icy

announced it so openly, she must have

a bad decision because of Rufus's questions. His eyes kept on shifting, looking

leaving. After the festival, she came here a week in advance

expressed his sentiments

was listening, stopped talking and started

only a month. Even if she had already submitted the application before the concert, one month was too short to get the approval. At best, the application materials were just now being received

government probably gave her

was struggling at this point. Rufus raised valid points. Regardless, he would never admit he was

signed his name on a sheet of paper for something that might not exist at

"Lionel, stop it!"

figured out that Amanda might only sign the contract for the hype. She definitely thought of this in the heat

the chairman of Tang Group were present

of them had no idea, let

why did Amanda propose the contract be signed on the

immediately after his father's command. His

carefully before you act next time. If you stayed

were like daggers laden with poison. It hurt and caused pain

Lionel had stayed in his seat, Rufus would have refused Amanda politely. He would claim that this wasn't the proper environment to discuss business and Tang Group could schedule a more appropriate time to review

twice before you act! Don't do anything reckless without your brother's

glance at Lionel. The latter wanted to say more in his defense, but he knew it would

battles. Sure it wasn't

the gate of the venue. Victor had driven

his finger to unlock the screen. There were several missed calls, and

starving…When will you

heart tightened the moment he pictured the poor Cassandrals sending him that message.

almost midnight. He wondered whether

"Is it prepared?"

asked Victor