The car sped off leaving a trail of pungent exhaust fumes.
Joan looked at Amanda’s expression. She was very calm and did not seem to be bothered to see
Stanford with another woman.
“Are you looking to see if I would cry?” She joked and continued, “All the tears had been previously
shed.”
Joan pursed his lips and did not attempt to console her. He felt that the best that he could do was to
walk quietly with her. Both of them walked casually without speaking a word.
A gust of wind blew Amanda’s hair around and she tucked some strains of hair behind her ear and
said, “Let’s go shopping.”
“Okay.” Joan agreed to whatever Amanda wanted to do.
Amanda was very familiar with this city. She brought Joan to a shopping centre and went directly to the
men’s section.
“My mother was a fashion designer but gave up her career after marrying my father,” Amanda said as
they walked into a men’s store.
Joan nodded.
“Do you know my family background?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Not in detail. Just superficially.” Joan said and continued, “Your mother must have been very attractive
when she was young.”
Amanda confirmed, “Yes.”
In the period she knew Joan, she noticed that the style and colour of the clothes he wore revealed that
he was more conservative and reserved. Dark colours seemed to suit him.
“Do you have any official business to attend to over here?” She asked.
“No.” Joan did not have any business dealings in that city.
“Shall we buy something casual?” Most of the time, Joan would wear business suits, uniforms, or
traditional Thai garments. She could not remember seeing him wearing something casual.
Joan nodded.
In that case, this store was unsuitable. She decided to bring Joan to another shop.
Perhaps she inherited some of her mother’s fashion sense and coupled with Joan’s build, she quickly
picked out two outfits that were suitable for Joan.
“You can have the hotel staff dry clean what you are wearing now,” Amanda said.
Joan looked at her and asked, “Are you taking care of me now?”
Amanda kept her head down and replied, “If you think so.”
They paid for the clothes and went back to the hotel.
On the other end, Hilary called Atwood and asked, “What’s going on? He came and left without saying
a word to me.”
“That’s Mr. James. If you really like him, then you need to be patient. I will also help you.” Atwood
assured her.
Hilary indeed liked Stanford and asked, “What should I do?”
“Let’s meet.” Atwood had been with Stanford for a long time and understood his character. They fixed a
place to meet up.
“You should know that I have many suitors but I really like Stanford. That’s why I’m so persistent and I
hope that you can give me some suggestions and help me.” Hilary had a privileged upbringing and
naturally had her pride and dignity. But she also genuinely liked Stanford.
That was also why Atwood was helping her.
The reason why Atwood chose her for Stanford was her family background was decent and rather like
Amanda's. Although her family could not be compared to Amanda’s in terms of wealth, it was
respectable enough. She was also very attractive and resembled Amanda slightly.
He felt that Stanford would like her after spending some time with her. Then Amanda would become a
distant memory. Even if one day he were to recall Amanda, he would not be so sad. Atwood hoped that
with a new love, he would be rid of all the past.
“Here you go.” Atwood gave Hilary a piece of paper. These were all the things that Amanda liked.
Restaurants, colours, food, etc…
“What’re these?” Hilary asked.
“Just do as instructed on this list and Mr. James would begin to see you differently. Now both our
companies have some cooperation and you can use this excuse to socialize with him.” Atwood assured
and continued, “Mr. James will fall for you if you are willing to do as stated.”
“Really?” Hilary asked doubtfully.
“Definitely.” Atwood handed her a box and said, “There are some clothes inside. Pick one to wear
during the contract signing day after tomorrow.”
Hilary did not take over the box immediately as she was in disbelief. She then looked at Atwood
doubtfully and asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“What do you mean?” Atwood asked.
“You understand Stanford so well and even picked out the clothes for me. Why do I have the
impression that your understanding of Stanford exceeded that of an assistant or a friend?”
She suspected that Atwood was homosexual, otherwise, how would he know Stanford so well?
Atwood was speechless.
“I’m straight and I like women, alright?” Atwood emphasized again, “Do as I say.”
Hilary agreed as she wanted to win the love of the man whom she liked.
She brought the box home with her and opened it. The clothes were the style that Amanda wore when
she was with Stanford. Atwood intended to look for a lady who looked like Amanda to take her place
beside Stanford.
Hilary did not take over the box immediately as she was in disbelief. She then looked at Atwood
doubtfully and asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“What do you mean?” Atwood asked.
“You understand Stanford so well and even picked out the clothes for me. Why do | have the
impression that your understanding of Stanford exceeded that of an assistant or a friend?”
She suspected that Atwood was homosexual, otherwise, how would he know Stanford so well?
Atwood was speechless.
“I’m straight and | like women, alright?” Atwood emphasized again, “Do as | say.”
Hilary agreed as she wanted to win the love of the man whom she liked.
She brought the box home with her and opened it. The clothes were the style that Amanda wore when
she was with Stanford. Atwood intended to look for a lady who looked like Amanda to take her place
beside Stanford.
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