Chapter 41

- Shannon

After the conversation, Shannon slumped on her bed.

She can't believe her own mother would betray her.

Simeon wants a son. Not a daughter.

Those words hung on her head.

She hated herself for falling into a trap.

After a few hours of crying.

She made up her mind.

'The nanny used to say, 'You may not have a good past. But you can change.'

'If that witch can manipulate and plot. I can too.'

She brought out the laptop that Simeon gave her.

She began to browse.

Not long after, she finally hit the point.

'My father wants a son as his heir.'

She began to think.

'If I wanted to take Sabrina down, I'll need an ally.'

She paced her room back and forth.

Thinking of who's best.

Nora? No, she already hated her.

Liam? Same.

Maybe Vidia? She's powerful.

But...

Vidia only listens to one person.

And that person is the one she offended the most.

Amanda.

'Wait, wait, wait. That won't do. After what I've done, she must've hold a grudge against me.'

She thought again.

'If not Amanda, then who?'

Besides, Amanda is still mysterious to her.

She still doesn't know what she's capable of.

'If I don't. Then I bet neither Sabrina or Simeon did.'

And that's it.

Amanda is the best ally.

'I think it's not so bad. I'll just have to win her over. Even if it's hard.'

- back to present

'Wow she's so cool.'

Shannon finally began to sense a tingle of admiration towards Amanda.

"So let's go?" Amanda gestured.

Shannon nodded, and happily followed her outside.

While ignoring the whispers as they past by.

Outside, they spotted Nora with Liam and Miles.

Amanda ignored them.

She got nothing to do with them.

But at the corner of Shannon's eye, she can see Miles staring at Amanda.

Shannon jumped in surprise as she went inside the passenger seat.

"You guys..." Shannon stared blankly at Aurora and Heather at the back.

"Hi, remember me?" Heather waved.

"You're Heather. My umm.." Shannon wasn't sure whether to say "Cousin" or not.

"Cousin." Heather said the word.

Shannon's shoulder relaxed.

"Ahem." The girl next to Heather (a.k.a. Aurora) broke the silence.

"Hello there sis." Aurora smiled,

"Hi, umm, you are?" Shannon awkwardly asked.

"Aurora. A pleasure to meet you." Aurora waved her hand and grinned. Not in a very friendly way.

Shannon felt shy.

"I'm... Shannon." She blushed.

"Don't mind them. They're just here for a joyride." Amanda scoffed.

"Okay..." Shannon turned around.

"So, you won't mind if we dropped them first? It's still two in the afternoon." Amanda asked,

"It's okay. I already finished my homework, nothing to worry about." Shannon smiled reassuringly.

- after they dropped Heather and Aurora

Awkward silence.

Shannon's mind was rambling.

Thinking of what she'd say.

"I haven't welcomed you clearly." Amanda broke the silence,

"No, it's okay." Shannon creased,

'She's being nice.' Shannon noticed,

'She must have intentions, good or bad.'

Shannon looked at Amanda.

Suddenly, she slowed down and pushed the brakes.

"So, umm..." Shannon started to say,

"Traffic," Amanda muttered.

Shannon clenched her fist.

'Now's the time.'

Shannon gathered up her courage.

"Amanda, sister... I-I'm sorry." Shannon burst out.

"Sorry for what?" Amanda turned to her suspiciously.

"I-I'm sorry for stealing your fiancé. I know you two have loved each other." Shannon looked down.

'Now she would really hate me.'

Shannon can't bear the guilt of stealing someone's boyfriend.

She'd never done it before.

She prepared herself for the worst.

She deserved it.

"Well, that's okay, I forgive you," Amanda said calmly.

Shannon was shocked at her reaction.

She totally expected Amanda to scream at her, curse her off, or maybe kick her out in the middle of the road.

"You're not... angry?" Shannon blinked.

'She's really angry right?'

"No. In fact, thank you." Amanda replied.

"Thank you?" Shannon was now confused,

"Thank you for getting us separated. I can't stand womanizers after all. I used to love him, but now I don't. Honestly, you're the ninth of his lovers since our engagement." Amanda sighed.

Shannon stared in shock.

'No. And I'm even engaged to him?'

But something came up inside Shannon's head.

"But, what about his parents?" Shannon asked.

She had wanted to ask about the status of Edmund's company.

But, she had to take it slowly.

"His parents don't know of course." Amanda looked up.

"Finally." She rolled her eyes.

The traffic light turned green.

"I wonder what would his company become if he'd inherited it someday." Shannon said, hoping Amanda would get the point.

"Nah. It'd totally drop down before he could even claim it." Amanda chuckled,

"Why?" Shannon asked,