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?"

while Lionel jibed with his father's

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. You'd better not

to teach Rufus a lesson. He

sneered then turned to face Lionel.

construction of her piano school been reported to the government?

aggressively with

so openly, she must

to feel like he made a bad decision because of Rufus's questions. His eyes kept on shifting, looking

for three days before leaving. After the festival, she came here a week in advance to prepare for the concert. She must have been quite busy with the rehearsals and all that. Do you possibly think that she had time to spare to apply for a

expressed his sentiments

was listening, stopped talking and started

time to conduct feasibility tests. Amanda and the government were connected for 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 by the government, waiting for discussion and review.

The government probably gave her the green

raised valid points. Regardless, he would never admit he was wrong.

for a permit, the contract would be a joke. Lionel had signed his name on a sheet of paper for something that might not exist

"Lionel, stop it!"

deeper and figured out that Amanda might only sign the contract for the hype. She definitely thought of this in the heat of the moment. Otherwise,

and the chairman of Tang Group were present in the

them had no idea, let alone

be signed

shut his mouth immediately after his father's command. His heart was in

next time. If you stayed still for a few seconds more, I

eyes were like daggers laden with poison. It hurt

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 the contract. That way, Amanda would have saved face and Tang Group would have had enough time to review the school project and

think twice before you act! Don't do anything reckless

The latter wanted to say more in his defense, but he knew

Sure it wasn't his lucky

while later, Rufus arrived at the gate of the venue. Victor had driven his land rover over,

and swiped his finger to unlock the screen. There were several missed calls, and a text message from the little woman, complaining.

will

pictured the poor Cassandrals sending him that

whether he

"Is it prepared?"

asked Victor