Joshua scoffed, “What a fool to think that he could gain her forgiveness by doing this!” Joshua had nothing but disgust for Stanford.
“He capitalized on my sister’s feelings for him in the past and now he used these unscrupulous means again. What a deviant person!”
Joan looked towards Amanda but she was calm and her expression did not betray her feelings. She noticed that someone was looking at her and looked up. Her eyes locked with Joan and she tenderly smiled at him. She was no longer affected by any mention of Stanford.
Joan knew about her past and she did not want to explain those anymore.
Joan was an adult and since he could accept her past, there was no use in her mentioning it. The past was the past.
Joshua continued to speak without any regard for Joan and Amanda, “I had also checked up on Hilary’s background. Apart from some wealth, her family does not have any other influence. We need not go easy on such people. I want her to regret what she had done.” Joshua already had in mind what he wanted to do to her.
“As for Atwood, Stanford should be the mastermind instead of him. However, I could not locate him. Perhaps he had disappeared due to the failure of this task.” Joshua deduced.
Amanda did not want to be involved with Stanford’s affairs and left the city with Joan and Maxina. She also did not want to pursue the incident as she was from out of state. Now that she had left this place, she was unsure if she would ever go back there again.
However, to Joshua, he did not care if this plan was a ruse or actually wanted to harm Amanda. He felt that the perpetrators must be dealt with or they might attempt something again in the future. They must be taught a lesson. That was why he remained in the city even after Amanda and Joan’s departure.
He could not find Stanford but was able to capture Atwood. He gave Atwood a severe beating which caused Atwood to be bedridden for a week.
As for Hilary, Joshua used his network to steal all their businesses. All the companies who had business with them started to end their dealings abruptly with her family’s company. They claimed that all their products were inferior and rejected the goods. All sorts of excuses were given to make things difficult for them.
The company soon fell into financial difficulties as they could not sell the products which had been manufactured.
That was not the end of it. Joshua had something else in store for Hilary.
Hilary was upset as her plan to harm Amanda did not work out. So she went to the pub to drown her sorrows. Little did she expect her drink to be spiked and photos were taken of her in the nude.
In the Lucien family’s moment of crisis, Hilary’s nude photos were made public. This threw the Lucien family into huge turmoil.
In City C…
Maxina was old and now her head was injured. Upon examination by the doctor, the doctor advised them to just let her recuperate and let her live out her remaining days in peace. One must be prepared for death at a certain age because the end may come unexpectedly.
Amanda asked everyone to gather at the living hall.
Armand curiously asked, “What important matter do you want to announce to us? The only thing that matters most is your marriage.” He was worried that she would develop an animosity for men and reject marriage and love for the rest of her life.
Amanda did not know how to begin. She was not as spontaneous as she had been in the past. Then, she brought Stanford to Cormac and Loredana and was upfront about her decision. She simply said, “I wanted to marry Stanford and no one else.”
Joan was familiar with the family and did not feel uncomfortable being with them. Now he knew that Amanda needed some support and walked to Amanda’s side and held her hand.
His palm was very warm and grasped her hand tightly.
Amanda turned to look at him but he remained focused on the rest of the family. Though he did not say anything, it was clear to them what was happening.
“Joan!” Armand looked at Joan and then at Amanda, “You guys!”
“Yes, we’ve decided to be together.” Joan announced and then looked at Cormac and declared, “I would like to take your daughter’s hand in marriage. I wish that you’d give us your blessings.”
Cormac lived not far from Joan and understood his character. When he tried to arrange for Amanda to work at Joan’s company, he also hoped that they could become friends. He was confident of Joan’s character and knew that he was a decent man. However, he had to be extra careful since Amanda had been hurt.
Cormac leaned back onto the sofa and then said sternly, “Have you considered carefully?”
“Yes,” Joan answered without hesitation.
Loredana did not understand what Cormac was doing. He was clearly impressed and had a good opinion of Joan so why was he making things difficult for him? She did not interrupt but grabbed Cormac’s hand and gave him a puzzled look.
Cormac did not explain but gently patted her hand as if signalling to her that he would explain to her later. Loredana relaxed and allowed Cormac to continue, “I have three children but I have only one daughter. She had always been the apple of my eye and I had pampered her since she was young. She had never been bullied in this household. However, a person must go through some experiences to grow up. This can only happen once.” Cormac said solemnly.
“I know.” Joan understood that Cormac was referring to Amanda’s previous marriage.
He was unfazed and looked back at Cormac, “My parent’s marriage was blissful and that is what I want. However, they died when I was young and I always had this feeling of emptiness. Amanda makes me feel complete and ready to start a family of our own, just like yours.”
“Hey, isn’t this a happy moment? Why does it look like an interrogation?” Armand glared at Cormac. Joan was a good catch and he was worried that Cormac might scare him away.
“Come, come, take a seat.” Armand tried to break the tense moment.
Joan nodded politely and said, “Thanks.”
“No need, we will soon become a family and there is no need for formalities.” Armand nudged Theresa and whispered, “Serve some drinks.”
“Do it yourself.” Theresa sat firm and glared at him.
Armand chuckled and said, “Okay, okay, I’ll get the drinks.” Theresa never treated him tenderly.
He went to get the drinks and was surprised that Joan and Amanda were still standing. He quickly asked, “Why are you still standing?” After saying this, he seemed to realize what was happening and looked towards Cormac and laughed, “Just agree, won’t you? You are neighbours with Joan. Isn’t it great that you can still see your daughter every day in the future?”
Cormac glared at Armand coldly. Armand kept quiet and went to sit on the sofa as he mumbled, “Ingrate.” He did these out of concern for Amanda’s future.
Cormac then felt that what he wanted to say was now unnecessary. He then waved to them, “Take a seat, you two.”
“Dad.” Amanda sat beside Cormac and held his arm and asked, “Have you agreed?”
Loredana also looked at Cormac, eagerly anticipating his decision.
Cormac patted her hand and was unwilling but she was already an adult and should be married. She could not stay by his side forever and remain under his protection.
“Your silence means that you had agreed?” Loredana finally spoke. Cormac softly acknowledged.
“That’s great!” Armand said excitedly as if it was his son who was getting married.
At night, Andrew went out with Joan after coming out of Maxina’s room. Andrew did not know Joan well due to his work. They had only met twice. He did not voice his thoughts even after he knew about Amanda and Joan’s situation.
“Do you have anything that you want to ask me?” Joan asked.
Andrew suggested that they went to a place where they could have a chat. They went to the lakeside.
There was a slight evening breeze and the lake reflected the surrounding lights. The night scenery was beautiful.
Andrew leaned over the railings and rested his arms as he looked across the lake and reminisced, “I had a good relationship with her when we were young. When I grew up, I joined the military and she had fallen in love. We drifted apart and were no longer as close as before.”
“I was seldom home these years and many things had happened,” Andrew said.
“Yes.” Joan stood upright beside him. Both of them were in the military and they were similarly tall and exuded authority even when they were not wearing their uniforms.
“What do you see in my sister?” Andrew turned and asked Joan.
Joan had a darker complexion but was closer to the locals. His eyebrows were thick, his eyes were attractive, and had sharp features. His manly expression softened when he thought about Amanda.
“I don’t know.” He could not pick a certain attribute of Amanda which caused him to fall in love with her.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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