Chapter 9: The Most Embarrassing Gift

Thirty minutes were left before the welcoming ceremony began, yet the venue was packed inside and out. As the music played, staff members took the stage and began receiving gifts from various parties, announcing them publicly as they recorded them on the gift registry. "From the Lopez family: One Snow Ginseng!" "From the Looske family: An authentic painting!" "From the Quipp family: A pair of jade lions!" … Standing below the stage, Alvin listened to the extravagant gifts being presented...