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.

careful with the baby!

was etched with sorry. Eyes widened, mouth agape, Charlie was surprised at the

at

hide his astonishment

it was a such a blessing to witness the

his only child. After years of searching for Rufus, her marriage was finally

son-in-law to be.

Charlie shot Clark a suspecting

"Is this true, Clark?"

disbelief. He wanted with all of his heart to confirm what he had

to be parents. We wouldn't be this eager to get married if it weren't true. This

anything wrong

daughter. He would never force her into abortion. But, giving her away to marry Clark, was a decision he did not want to make.

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

Clark could play. The effect was immediate—Charlie's

as his love for Amanda. But to Charlie, it was an entirely different story. It was an

seizing opportunities, Clark had given it his all in convincing Charlie. He would

look, Charlie

the mother's surname! Is breaking

I won't leave the organization to run by itself anymore. You have reached the age where you can fully enjoy the fruits of your labor. After Amanda gives birth to our baby, you can retire and leave the

Clark pressed on. He promised him that he would

sobbing in silence. Charlie took this as her reaction towards his objections. But Clark knew the true reason why she

public. On the other hand, she didn't want to lie to her own father, and was even more reluctant to marry Clark. There

give us your blessing, we will still tie the knot! But we do sincerely hope

then

well... I won't say anything about

Amanda's tears and Clark's promises, he was pushed to the point that he couldn't say no anymore.

case, then I want a

was still fresh in Charlie's mind. Although he agreed with Rufus that the marriage was merely a ruse to pacify Amanda, who turned out to be actually only faking her memory loss, he still stood by

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