The promoter handed the card back to Joan but it was snatched by Payne. She glanced at the scarf on
Amanda’s shoulder and then looked at Joan, “Did you pay for this?”
Joan frowned as she barged into the store abruptly, “Why are you here?”
“I’m asking you. Why did you buy her something?” Payne’s aggressive manner was like a wife
questioning her husband for having a secret affair with another woman.
Joan took the card from her hand, “Do I have to ask your permission to buy something for anybody?”
Payne was speechless.
Amanda felt that she had made her misunderstand and caused trouble for Joan. She wanted to help
Joan explain, “Oh, Joan and I are just ordinary friends.”
Payne glared at her, “Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying to you. I’m already married.” Amanda tried her best to explain.
Although she was divorced, still she had married before. She did not want to bring trouble to Joan for
accommodating at his home.
Payne was speechless all of a sudden.
“Oh, sorry I…”
Joan carried Nina up and held Amanda’s hand. He gave Payne a cold look, “I hate you to interfere in
my life. Don’t come to my house again in the future.”
He brought them out of the store after saying that.
Payne chased after him, “I didn’t mean to.”
Joan turned around and glared at her, “I hope you behave well like a woman. I won’t like you even if
you keep pestering me like this.”
Payne was dumbfounded.
Joan was initially in a good mood but ended up being infuriated by Payne throughout the outing.
Nina sighed gently.
Amanda patted her head, “Don’t sigh easily at such a young age.”
“Daddy is attracting such an unwanted encounter because he is not married yet,” Nina said.
Amanda was surprised, “You even know the phrase ‘unwanted encounter’?”
This phrase was taught to Nina by Dolores. Since Payne had been pestering Joan, Nina was
complaining her in front of Dolores and Dolores just simply described her with the phrase.
So, Nina remembered it.
Their plan for the trip came to the end at noon after being disturbed by Payne.
Amanda felt that she had caused trouble to Joan, “Today, I have caused trouble to you and let her
misunderstand you.”
“It’s not your problem.” Joan shook his head helplessly.
It was not the first time that Payne had been like this. She would be extremely wary whenever a female
appeared around him.
“It bothers me.” Joan could not get rid of such a pestering woman.
Amanda gave him an idea, “Just hurry up and find the right one to marry. Won’t that solve it?”
“Do you have a happy marriage?” Joan still asked anyway, “I saw you when you came to meet your
parents last time.”
He knew that she was married too.
He knew it from Dolores.
He heard it once Matthew and Dolores were talking about her past. They did not mention anything else
after seeing him.
He expected she had a happy marriage as she was able to smile blissfully at that time. But now, her
smile had changed and was not that blissful anymore.
Amanda lowered her eyes, “Quite good.”
“But I don’t see that you’re happy,” Joan said.
Amanda looked up, “Is it that obvious?”
She thought carefully as she had hidden her emotion quite on purpose. ‘How can he still notice it?’
Joan said, “I feel it.”
“Why don’t you get married?” Amanda switched the topic of discussion deliberately. She did not want to
talk about herself, so she brought the conversation back to him.
“Didn’t meet the right one.” Joan said honestly, “My parents are very affectionate and I wish to be like
them.”
Amanda also talked about her parents, “My parents are very affectionate too.”
Joan smiled, “I know.”
Amanda looked ahead, “Once, I have longed to experience the same relationship as my parents.”
However, she failed to do so.
She got herself upset and was overwhelmed with grief.
Joan looked at her quietly and saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes, “Did he betray you?”
Amanda smiled bitterly, “Not really. I thought it was love but it was just wishful thinking on my part.”
He was just taking revenge.
“What are you planning to do?”
“We got divorced a long time ago.” Amanda pretended to be relaxed and joked, “My eyes weren’t sharp
before.”
Joan was surprised suddenly. ‘Is she divorced?’
“Sir.” At that moment, Sally came over and told him that somebody had called him. He got up, “I go and
answer the call.”
Amanda smiled, “Go ahead.”
Joan got up and went in.
Amanda took a sip of water on the table. This place was surrounded by greenery, especially those
tropical plants that were very pleasing to see.
She strolled along the river nearby where small boats passed by. In the past, these boats used to sell a
lot of vegetables and fruits along the river bank. But now, fewer people were living here, so there were
no more vendors.
Many houses were built on the river since there were many rivers in Thailand.
The scenery is quite impressive.
She was so indulged in the beautiful scenery that she did not notice somebody was following her
behind. The person was about to reach out and push her down the river.
However, that pair of evil hands were grabbed by another person in the nick of time. Payne was
shocked, “Joan…”
Amanda turned around when she heard the noise.
She saw them and seemed to realize what was going on just by looking at their posture. Then, she
stood behind Joan.
Joan’s gaze was serious, “I think it’s time for me to visit your father.”
Payne shook her head, “Don’t.”
Joan removed her, “You can be arrogant and willful. But it’s a matter of your personality when you try to
harm people. Don’t be so rude again if you don’t want me to find your father.”
“I won’t. I was just trying to make fun of her.” Payne was not intending to push her as she was just a bit
playful at that moment. She just wanted to prank Amanda when she saw Amanda alone by the river.
Joan frowned, “Is it alright if I throw you into the river?”
“No way,” Payne said immediately.
“I was just joking, why not?”
“There’re snakes in the river. I’m scared.” Payne pouted while reaching out to grab his arm, “Joan…”
Joan moved her hand away, “If you’re scared, how about the others?”
Payne was speechless.
She kept quiet as she was scolded by him.
“Go back now,” Joan commanded her.
“I don’t.” Payne refused willfully.
“Whatever.” Joan grabbed Amanda’s wrist and pulled her to leave that place after saying that.
Amanda wanted to withdraw her hand instinctively at the moment Joan touched her. However, Joan’s
grip was very tight.
She had no choice but to follow his pace.
When they reached the backyard, Joan instructed his maid and servant at home, “Don’t let Payne in
again.”
He let go of Amanda’s wrist as he spoke.
Amanda put her hands behind her back immediately.
She took a step backwards to keep a distance from him.
Joan only recalled that he had just grabbed her wrist when he saw her movement.
He was perplexed while his fingers curled slowly as if he could still vaguely feel the warmth on her skin.
“I’m sorry. I…”
He tried to explain that he had not done it on purpose.
“It’s alright.” Amanda just did not like to have excessive contact with him. After all, men and women
were still different.
“I have just got an invitation call. Ms. Nelson, can I invite you to attend with
me?”
He was perplexed while his fingers curled slowly as if he could still vaguely feel the warmth on her skin.
“I’m sorry. |...”
He tried to explain that he had not done it on purpose.
“It's alright.” Amanda just did not like to have excessive contact with him. After all, men and women
were still different.
“| have just got an invitation call. Ms. Nelson, can | invite you to attend with
me?”
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