A Graduation Gift

While Amanda was engrossed in the task of changing water for the flowers, Horace suddenly entered the house.

"It's been a while since I saw you, Amanda. Why don't you come around often?" Horace questioned with a smile. "I heard Lionel mention that the construction of your school is under way. I am guessing you must be tied up at the moment, am I right?"

Horace added. He seemed to be in a very good mood. Amanda looked at him with some embarrassment.

"I'm sorry for not being able to come around often. You are right, Uncle Horace, I've been extremely busy lately. Until today, I wasn't able to manage a day off from work. As soon as I got an opportunity, I intended to meet you. Anyway, here I have wrapped some gifts for you,"

Amanda replied, smiling sweetly. She went ahead and pointed her fingers to the gift boxes lying on the table.

Ever since she got engaged to Rufus, she hadn't paid a visit to the Tang family. In truth, she wanted to meet them, but Charlie always stopped her from doing so.

"You should at least ask Rufus to accompany you. It will seem a bit inappropriate if you visit them alone," Charlie argued.

He had said it deliberately that way, knowing with certainty that Rufus would never agree to it.

Furthermore, the whole engagement story itself was merely a sham. Charlie had asked Rufus for a favor. Together, they had put on a show. Yet they didn't expect it would become such a huge local news. What bothered Charlie the most was the predicament in which the Tang family put them into. Every time Charlie thought about Horace's eagerness to build connections through marriage, a frown appeared on his face.

Horace had planted the seeds of hatred in Rufus's heart a long time ago. Charlie hadn't figured out what was going on in Rufus's mind. Hence he had no idea how the young man would take actions to revenge on his father. In any case, Charlie's biggest concern was Amanda. As a father, he wanted to safeguard her from all the dangers.

they were just sorting out the gifts to store away when Horace came to visit today. Indeed, it could

happy just to see you and Rufus," Horace smiled kindly. "By the way, Amanda, have you seen Rufus lately?" he

to see Rufus in the past few days. However, Rufus had always managed to dodge his requests. Hence he

but I haven't heard from him since then.

annoyed Amanda. She was unnerved by the fact she didn't know

Rufus's fiancee only for namesake. She wasn't allowed to have any rights over him. What was worse was that he didn't show any interest in this relationship. Last time when they met, she had specially arranged a reporter to take an interview with

You know, the Tang family really can't exist without him," Horace said in a soft voice. Taking several seconds to catch his breath, he continued, "So I was wondering if

of Amanda. And this time,

will persuade him to go home. Don't worry, after all he's a member of the Tang family. Eventually,

smile. Deep down, she wasn't even sure that Rufus would listen to her. Yet she promised readily,

deal of greeting before Horace finally left. And once he was out

here? Why did he come to

became laden with anxiety. The war between Rufus and Horace might break out at

Charlie felt compelled to ensure that his dear daughter would be at a safe distance away from

seemed tensed, Father. But he didn't go into detail about what

answered while picking up the phone and dialing Rufus's number. As usual, no