A Graduation Gift

Charlie almost dropped the phone on his hand when he heard what Clark said. For a second, he was almost sure he heard him
wrong.
What the hell was going on? Clark was going to propose to Amanda?
How the hell did this happen?
"Clark, you do know that Amanda is already engaged, right?"
Charlie asked as if testing the man's sanity. It took him a few seconds before he could say anything after his initial shock.
His head suddenly started to feel very light, as if he were going to faint. Suspicion filled him. He wondered what Clark's motive
was. The man had never showed interest for his daughter before.
"Married couples get divorced all the time and Amanda isn't even married to Rufus yet. They're only engaged. This still gives me
a chance to woo her,"
Clark replied nonchalantly and calmly. He did not seem to see Amanda's engagement as a hindrance to his plans.
"What?! What do you think of my daughter? She's not like everyone else. She's the pride and joy of the Ke family! Do you
seriously think she will break off her engagement so easily?"
Charlie said, outraged. Clark's words were starting to offend him and his displeasure showed clearly on his face.
"Mr. Ke, it is common knowledge that Amanda's engagement is simply an arrangement to pacify her. Rufus doesn't love her. He
doesn't want to be with her at all,"
Clark replied. He was not one to sugarcoat. His words were as raw and honest as they had to be. Besides, he was not dense.
He was fully aware that Charlie was only using the engagement to block his wish. Of course, this was not about to happen that
easily. 'Does this old man seriously think he can get in the way of my plans?' Clark thought humorously.
"Clark, let me be clear. Real engagement or not and whether Rufus wants to be with her or not, Amanda does not want to be
with you!"
Charlie shouted, red with rage and infuriated.

His voice was so loud that Clark had to take the phone away from his ear. A few moments later, Clark spoke with a calm and
casual voice, "Oh, Mr. Ke. I would calm down if I were you. It's not good for you to be angry especially since you're not exactly at
your prime years anymore. The thing is, people from your generation barely have a say on the lives of the kids in our generation.
The reason I called wasn't really to ask for your permission. It was simply to inform you that I will marry Amanda."
Unfazed by Charlie's anger, Clark was sure that nothing could foil his plans. This made Charlie even angrier. Also, a part of him
worried. Why was he so sure that he would be able to marry Amanda?
"She's my daughter! Why don't I have a say in this? Clark, I am warning you, if you hurt my daughter, I will make you regret the
day you were born!" he exploded.
Charlie worried greatly about what Clark was planning. He wished that he were beside his daughter right now to protect her.
"I don't understand what you mean. How can I hurt Amanda? We grew up together and we know each other very well. Don't
worry, I will surely 'take care' of her for you!"
Clark said, then hung up even before Charlie could respond. If he guessed right, Charlie should be here in the next 24 hours.
Amanda was his only daughter, after all. He cared about her deeply.
An evil smirk appeared on his face. 'Ha, Rufus, your fiancee belongs to me now!' he thought triumphantly.
"Are you out of your mind? I can't marry you! I am already engaged!"
Amanda's face turned as pale as a sheet of paper when she heard Clark's proposal. He violently broke into her house so early in
the morning to deliver the news. She could not help but shake with fear.
"Oh, come on. Who are you kidding? You know that Rufus won't marry you. He doesn't love you! Do you still seriously believe
that you will be married to him? Hun, you're more stupid than I thought!"
Clark said in a mocking tone as he approached her slowly with a malicious grin spread across his face. He enjoyed the fear in
Amanda's eyes. She was intimidated by him and this was working to his advantage.
"Why not consider marrying me instead? I can protect you. I also won't be unfaithful, at the very least. Won't that be great?"
Clark said as he stopped in front of Amanda. With his index finger, he gently stroked her cheek. Amanda abruptly turned her
head to dodge his touch as she looked at him with eyes wide with fear.

"Don't look so scared, Amanda. What will your father think if he sees us like this?"
Clark said gently. He was smiling at Amanda but his eyes were cold and manipulative.
"No! I won't marry you! I don't want to! And my father will never agree to this! Clark, you can have any woman you want. I can
even help you! Just tell me who! Just...please don't marry me. I can never be a good wife for you!"
Of course, this was the truth. She could barely stand being in the same room with him, let alone marry him. Being his wife meant
that she had to face him every day. Her life would become a living hell.
To her, Clark was like a demon. Just the thought of him made her shake with fear. She couldn't imagine how her life would
become if she said yes to this man.
"That's so unfortunate. Are you sure you don't want to marry me? Do you really want your naked photos to appear on all the big
websites tomorrow, Amanda, my dear famous pianist?"
Clark said as he lowered his head and whispered in Amanda's ear. His tone was gentle, as if he were saying the sweetest words
to his beloved woman. In truth, he merely enjoyed his advantage over the fearful woman in front of him.
Amanda's eyes immediately widened in shock. She could already imagine the consequences if her naked photos were leaked.
Everyone who would see would judge her. Rumors and gossips would follow her whenever she went out. Despite her fame as a
respected pianist, the photos would ruin her reputation and turn her into a joke.