A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 156

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?"

Horace was still blaming Rufus while Lionel jibed with his father's words.

"Father's right, Rufus. Miss 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. You'd better not offend her."

Lionel certainly didn't pass up on the rare opportunity to teach Rufus a lesson. He kept the ball rolling while Horace was reprimanding him.

However, Rufus just sneered then turned to face Lionel.

"Has the construction of her piano school been reported to the government? Is the government even aware of it? Do you know?"

Rufus asked aggressively with an icy tone.

"Well… Now that she announced it so openly, she must have informed the government first!"

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

"As far as I know, Amanda came to G City before the Spring Festival. She stayed here 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 permit?"

Rufus expressed his sentiments strongly.

Horace who was listening, stopped talking and started to consider his words carefully.

Getting permission from the government to establish a school was a critically important thing. It took a really long 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.

"You're guessing! The government probably gave her the green light in advance!"

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

If Amanda did not apply 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 at all! People would take him for a fool!

"Lionel, stop it!"

Horace had experienced a lot of things in the field of business. He delved 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, the Tang Group would not have known from nothing.

Two presidents and the chairman of Tang Group were present in the concert!

All of them had no idea, let alone their employees.

But why did Amanda propose the contract be signed on the spot? The answer remained clouded.

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

Rufus glanced at Lionel and added insult to injury, "Think carefully before you act next time. If you stayed still for a few seconds more, I would have said something to solve this predicament. You were too impatient."

Rufus's eyes were like daggers laden with poison. It hurt and caused pain without mercy.

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

"Always think twice before you act! Don't do anything reckless without your brother's approval!"

Horace cast a fierce glance at Lionel. The latter wanted to say more in his defense, but he knew it would be wasted. He instead swallowed his words.

He had to pick his battles. Sure it wasn't his lucky day.

A while later, Rufus arrived at the gate of the venue. Victor had driven his land rover over, waiting for him. He also brought Rufus his phone.

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

"I'm starving…When will you return…"

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

It was almost midnight. He wondered whether he could make it or not.

"Is it prepared?"

Rufus asked Victor anxiously.

"Yes, Sir. It's in the trunk,"

Victor nodded with eager eyes.

Rufus got into the car and sped away. The car was a dot on the horizon in just a few seconds.

That was what Horace and Lionel saw when they got out of the theatre; Rufus's Land Rover speeding away right in front of their eyes.

"Victor, where is he going?"

Horace felt strange. It was quite late. Why didn't Rufus head straight home? Where was he heading?

"I'm sorry, Mr. Luo didn't inform me of any details. He just told me to bring his car to the theatre and wait for him,"

Victor answered passively without a speck of emotion. Horace couldn't glean any other information.

However, Lionel felt differently. He had a bad feeling. 'There's no way he's going to the office to work, it's way too late. He's in such a hurry too…' thought Lionel.

"Forget about him. Lionel, let's head home!"

Horace trusted Rufus had a good reason for speeding away like that. So he took Lionel and asked the driver to head home directly.

Lionel went straight to his room the moment they arrived. He removed his clothes to run a bath. After washing, he lay on his bed, ready to sleep.

He was still angry about what happened today. Somehow he felt that Rufus set this trap for him.

After Amanda made her proposal known, Rufus remained passive and glued to his seat for at least a minute or two. He didn't do anything even when everyone had all eyes on him.

If he really knew that Amanda's school wasn't permitted yet by the government, he would have stood up immediately for a reply. He was that capable.

But then, he merely stayed silent. The only explanation he could find was that Rufus was waiting for him to stand up and say something.

Lionel had always longed for his father's approval and praise. Before Rufus took over Tang Group, Lionel was the president of the company. He managed everything! But now, he was replaced so easily by Rufus. He just couldn't reconcile with this fact.

Now there came a chance to turn the tables. He broke the ice with the act of saving Amanda. And at the same time, people would realize who was actually in charge. He could also show off his good manners. He was killing three birds with one stone!

What a perfect opportunity! How could Lionel pass up?

Thinking more on this, Lionel grew more upset. He twisted and turned in bed, just was unable to fall asleep.

A pair of soft hands, with stark white skin and shiny red nails hugged Lionel from behind.

Lionel felt that Ivy's burning body pressed onto him. However, he was too bothered by his thoughts to do something. He took her hands and pushed them off his body.

"What do you think you're doing? Leave me alone. It's late. I'm tired and I had a bad day. Just go to sleep!" Lionel said in an annoyed tone.