Chapter 22: Perfect Timing

The next day, Shirley Vance, wearing a dress and exquisite makeup, saw Amanda Vance emerge from her room bare-faced. Shirley snorted, sizing up Amanda’s simple T-shirt and shorts. But Amanda’s legs were long, slender, and blindingly fair.

A flash of jealousy crossed Shirley Vance’s eyes. "Dressed so skimpily," she said tartly. "Who are you trying to seduce?"

Amanda Vance put the hat she was holding on her head and shot her sister a sidelong glance. Her eyes fell on Shirley’s skirt, which barely covered her behind. "Who’s the one wearing less?"

Noticing her gaze, Shirley Vance glared fiercely at her. But when she saw Holly Vance come out, her expression instantly changed. "Sister," she said with a beaming smile, "you have to make sure you do your best later."

Hearing this, Holly Vance casually asked, "Do her best at what?"

"Racing, of course! Didn’t you know, Dad? Sister is going to race, and Mr. Ford will be there too. I heard her new car is the one Mr. Ford originally intended to buy, but he was a day late, so she got it first."

The mere thought of her buying the car filled Holly Vance with rage. Hearing Shirley’s words, he shot Amanda another fierce glare. "You’re more trouble than you’re worth!"

’How dare she snatch something from Mr. Ford? Does she have any idea who he is? Can our family afford to offend him?’ The thought that Mr. Ford might now hold a grudge against their family made him furious. ’That Amanda... All she ever does is cause trouble for me.’

Seeing his anger, a triumphant glint flashed in Shirley Vance’s eyes. She linked her arm through his and comforted him softly, "Don’t be angry, Dad. Maybe Sister had her own reasons for buying the car. Just think, if she offers it to Mr. Ford, won’t he be indebted to her?"

Holly Vance’s eyes narrowed. ’That does make sense. Even if Mr. Ford already resents us for this, offering him the car now would be a way to make amends. At the very least, it would stop him from holding a grudge.’

His mind worked quickly, sorting through the possibilities. He immediately lifted his chin and ordered Amanda, "Remember to give the car back to Mr. Ford. Say a few nice things so he won’t blame you."

’Blame me for what? For having money?’

Amanda Vance gave him a smirk. ’Interesting how he said "give it back," as if I’d stolen it in the first place.’

Stung by her look, Holly Vance’s face darkened. "I’m talking to you! Did you hear me or not!"

Amanda slowly put on her sunglasses. "Hear what? Sounds like someone’s passing gas." She pinched her nose. "It stinks."

With that, she headed downstairs, leaving Holly Vance stamping his feet and cursing in a thunderous rage. Shirley Vance smiled and quickly went to comfort him. ’She couldn’t be happier to see Amanda act so rebelliously; it only served to highlight her own obedience.’

Sure enough, Holly Vance said, "Shirley, you’re the sensible one."

A flash of triumph went through Shirley Vance’s mind, and she put on an even more obedient act. "Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll apologize to Mr. Ford on Sister’s behalf."

Holly Vance’s expression brightened. "Yes, that’s good."

He looked at her, his face filled with gratification. ’Thank goodness I have at least one good daughter.’

When Shirley Vance went outside, Amanda was nowhere to be seen. She paused, suddenly unsure if her sister would actually go today.

Just then, Simon Sheffield pulled up in his car. Shirley immediately put on a pure and charming smile. "Simon~"

Her coquettish tone clearly had its intended effect on Simon Sheffield. He glanced past her and asked, "Where’s your sister?"

A cold glint flashed in Shirley Vance’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it, saying in a cloyingly sweet voice, "She already left."

"She left? So is she still going to the race? I personally guaranteed Mr. Ford I’d bring her today."

"Yes, yes, of course she’s going! She’ll definitely be there," Shirley Vance said at once. "I’ll call her right now."

At that moment, Amanda Vance was waiting at a red light. She saw Shirley’s name on her phone and ignored it, but the calls were relentless and irritatingly loud.

She finally answered. "What is it?"

Hearing that cool voice, Shirley Vance gritted her teeth. ’What’s with the act? Making me wait so long for her to pick up.’ She glanced at Simon Sheffield, concealed her annoyance, and cooed into the phone, "Sister, where did you go? I thought we agreed to go to the race together!"

"Shirley Vance, your talent for spouting lies is getting more impressive by the day."

Seeing Simon Sheffield glance over, Shirley Vance panicked and quickly covered the phone’s mouthpiece. "What was that, Sister? I didn’t quite catch that."

Not wanting to waste any more time on her, Amanda said bluntly, "Fine. I’ll be there, so you can stop worrying."

Then she hung up.

’Shirley really can’t wait to see me make a fool of myself.’

She stopped by a mall to buy a new toy. ’The little guy had cried so heartbrokenly yesterday, yet he had still tried to be good and not cause her any trouble.’ The memory made Amanda’s heart ache. She hoped a new toy might cheer him up, even just a little.

「Aethelburg Suburbs, Cinder Mountain Racetrack.」

With a clean drift, a car screeched to a halt before the crowd. The shock of red hair was all anyone needed to identify the driver.

Shawn Ford glanced around, but when he didn’t see his "Little Red," his mood instantly soured. "Hasn’t that... what’s-her-name, Amanda Vance, shown up yet?"

Hearing this, Simon Sheffield scurried over, a fawning smile plastered on his face. "She’s almost here, almost here! Don’t you worry, Mr. Ford. She’ll definitely show up today."

As he spoke, he gave Shirley Vance another meaningful look. She nodded and slipped away to make a call.

’He’d never dreamed he’d get a direct line to Mr. Ford. After discovering it was Amanda who had snatched the car, he’d immediately leaked the news to him and arranged for Shirley to bring her over today. Once Mr. Ford let off some steam, he’d surely remember who had made it possible.’

At this thought, Simon Sheffield grinned from ear to ear.

Shawn Ford watched this exchange, and his gaze fell on Simon Sheffield again. The smugness in Simon’s eyes only deepened Shawn’s contempt. ’Idiot. Soon enough, I’ll show him the price for messing with one of the Fords.’

It was approaching ten o’clock, the day was getting hotter, and Amanda still hadn’t arrived. The crowd was growing impatient. Shirley Vance felt a mix of thrill and anxiety. ’If Amanda doesn’t show, she’ll be disrespecting all these young masters, offending every last one of them. Especially Mr. Ford. First she snatches his car, and now she’s standing him up? Amanda is definitely going to pay for this.’

At the same time, she worried their anger might be redirected to her, since she and Simon Sheffield were the ones who had guaranteed Amanda’s attendance.

’Don’t tell me Amanda got scared and decided to run away.’

Just as she was thinking this, a sudden gust of wind whipped past, sending her skirt flying up. She frantically pressed it down. Luckily, she was wearing safety shorts, so nothing was revealed.

She looked at the car that had just arrived, and her face fell.

’Amanda Vance!’

’I knew it was her.’

Shawn Ford also noticed the commotion and turned to look. ’He was about to see just what kind of creature dared to cuckold him.’

"Sister, you’re finally here! We’ve all been waiting for you for ages," Shirley Vance said, her voice artificially high. Her words instantly reminded the crowd of their long wait, and their expressions soured.

’Who does this woman think she is, making all of them wait?’

Amanda took off her sunglasses, hooking them casually onto the collar of her shirt. A stunningly beautiful face was revealed to the crowd. Her red lips curved slightly as she tapped her watch. "Didn’t this start at ten o’clock?"

The crowd glanced down at their watches, their eyes widening. Holy shit. It was exactly ten o’clock.

’Her timing was impeccable.’