A Graduation Gift

Clark remained soundless throughout the whole ordeal between the daughter and her father. It was only then when Amanda burst out that he went up to Charlie and asked calmly, "Mr. Ke, why do I get the feeling that you don't like me very much? Rufus doesn't want to be with Amanda, while I am the person who really wants to marry her. Why can't you sympathize with Amanda?"

Clark was visibly unsatisfied with how Charlie had treated him. He walked to Amanda and held her close by her waist.

Amanda was shocked at the maneuver. Her body shivered yet again.

Charlie was oblivious to the subtle change. He thought that the small change was due to Clark's sudden alignment with her.

He didn't have the slightest clue that Amanda had already been in bed with Clark before. He could never have imagined that Clark held compromising photos of her and used them to blackmail her. All he could do now was glare at the couple, mentally searching for the right words to say.

Up until now, Charlie had never fully understood Clark's intentions nor his dark secrets. Out of nowhere came Amanda having apparently decided to marry Clark. How could he not feel agitated?

"Clark, you go ahead. I have to talk to Amanda. Privately!"

Charlie planned to send Clark away and try to persuade Amanda in private, but how could Clark agree to such a thing?

With cold, calculated determination, he defiantly declared, "Mr. Ke, I won't go unless you give us your blessing!"

Anyone else who witnessed this display would probably believe that Clark was madly in love with Amanda. His eyes were even welling up.

Meanwhile, Amanda felt a sharp pain on her waist. Clark had pinched her. This was a non-verbal threat, and the message was received.

As Charlie was about to reply, his face fuming, Amanda suddenly kneeled down.

"Dad! Just give us your blessing! I can only be with Clark! I... I'm with child!"

All she could think about were the possible punishments that awaited her if Clark didn't get his way. Her intense fear compelled her to utter such falsehood.

For a split-second, a satisfied smile appeared on Clark's face. It was gone as soon as it appeared.

'Amanda, good that you know what to do!' he thought.

He then squatted down to help Amanda up.

to be more careful with the baby!

face was etched with sorry. Eyes widened, mouth agape, Charlie was surprised at the scene and started to believe her story.

at the couple in front of him,

hide his astonishment and

him, it was a such a blessing to witness the making of the next

child. After years of searching for Rufus, her marriage was finally at hand.

his son-in-law to be. What exactly was Clark planning in the shadows?

Charlie shot Clark

"Is this true, Clark?"

disbelief. He wanted with all of his heart to confirm what he had just heard from his daughter's mouth. Amanda

married if it weren't true. This is Amanda's first child, as well as mine. We

when it came to deception. Charlie couldn't find anything wrong with what he said. Clark's stubborn

his one and only daughter. He would never force her into abortion. But, giving

the lines of his face. Clark noticed, so he tried to reassure him, "Mr. Ke, please, don't worry. If the baby is born, it will always bear the surname of Ke, even if it is a boy. I'm really no particular with the details. All I want is to be one with Amanda in matrimony. I sincerely hope you support us with

play. The effect was

Clark to promise such a thing, since there really was no baby. It was an empty promise, as empty as his love for Amanda. But to Charlie, it

all in convincing Charlie. He would even resort to extreme deception just to fulfil

look, Charlie glanced

enough to allow his very own flesh and blood to inherit the mother's surname! Is breaking them apart really the right thing to do?' he thought, lost in his own doubts.

leave the organization to run by itself anymore. You have reached the age where you can fully enjoy the fruits of your

from agreeing, Clark pressed on. He promised him that he would take on the responsibilities.

took this as her reaction towards his objections. But Clark knew the true reason

would be leaked out to the public. On the other hand, she didn't want to lie to her own father, and was even more reluctant to marry

still tie

kept goading Charlie, who then closed his eyes, clearly helpless.

say anything

the spot like this. Between Amanda's tears and Clark's promises, he was pushed to the point that he

eyes slowly, and instructed Clark, "If this will be the case, then I want a perfect wedding! You have to showcase the Ke

a ruse to pacify Amanda, who turned out to be actually only faking her

With joy clear in his voice, he exclaimed, "Amanda! Did you hear that?! Your father has given us his