Chapter 44: Goodbye, Foul-Mouthed Auntie

"Achoo." Felix Ford sneezed twice more in a row. He rubbed his nose, his little face scrunched up as he tilted his head in confusion. ’Is someone badmouthing me again?’

Amanda Vance reached out and touched his forehead. "Is your cold still not better?"

Without waiting for a reply, she took a jacket and put it on him. The restaurant’s air conditioning was cranked up, making it a bit chilly.

"What do you want to eat?" she asked, handing him the menu.

Felix couldn’t read, but the menu had pictures, so he could still order by pointing.

He pointed at an item and was about to speak when a sharp voice cut in from the side. "Well, well, if it isn’t Amanda Vance."

’Such a familiar opening.’

Amanda glanced up before immediately looking away.

Felix also caught the malice in the woman’s tone. He turned to look and saw it was the same villain who had bullied his mom at school. She was arm-in-arm with a man in a suit whose eyes were filled with the same arrogance and disdain, making him just as detestable as her.

He frowned, pinching his nose as he spoke. "Lady, did you forget to brush your teeth again before coming out? Your stinky breath is wafting all the way over here."

His voice was quite loud, and the people at nearby tables heard him and glanced over, giving the woman strange looks.

Penny Palmer’s face darkened. "You little brat, still have no manners. *You’re* the one who didn’t brush their teeth." She then glared at Amanda. "Amanda Vance, don’t you ever teach your son anything? He’s so rude. What’s he going to be like when he grows up?"

As if struck by a thought, she covered her mouth with a theatrical laugh. "Then again, you’re so busy all day and night. Where would you find the time to look after your son?"

As she spoke, she gave Amanda a meaningful look, her eyes scanning her up and down. The insinuation was obvious.

Amanda rested her chin on her hand and watched her. ’Truly worthy of being Shirley Vance’s best friend. They even say the same things.’

She said coolly, "Is your face all better?"

Those few words made Penny Palmer’s expression change again. Her face twisted as the memory of her pathetic state last time made her grit her teeth in hatred. She had only just dared to go out after her face finally healed, only to run into Amanda. She had only approached because she saw Hayden Grant wasn’t with her.

She snorted. "Why isn’t Mr. Grant with you? Did he dump you? It’s no wonder. Someone like you is only fit to be played with for a while. Who would ever marry you and take you home? It takes someone like me to get a husband."

As she spoke, she flaunted the diamond ring on her hand, then turned to her companion and cooed, "Isn’t that right, darling?"

Bob Rhodes naturally wouldn’t undermine her, playing along. "Of course."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over Amanda, a flash of admiration mixed with scorn. "Amanda Vance, remember me? Don’t you even invite old classmates to sit down when you see them?"

’They were indeed high school classmates. She remembered Bob Rhodes had even written her a love letter back then, but she had rejected him. After that, he got together with Penny Palmer and publicly declared that he had just been toying with her. How could he possibly be interested in such a promiscuous woman?’

The waiter arrived with their food. Amanda pushed Felix’s plate in front of him, and the mother and son began to eat slowly, not sparing the pair beside them a single glance. This made both of their faces darken.

"Amanda Vance, have you lost even your basic manners?"

Without looking up, Amanda put some vegetables on Felix’s plate. Only then did she slowly ask, "You came over here clearly looking for a fight. Do *you* have any manners?"

Her appetite finally ruined by them, she asked with a cold expression, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. If not, get lost."

"You!" Penny Palmer was furious and about to retort when Bob Rhodes pulled her back, barely managing to restrain her.

Bob Rhodes huffed. "Amanda Vance, don’t be ungrateful. We came to give you an invitation. The fifth is our high school’s anniversary celebration. We were afraid you wouldn’t know, so we brought this to you personally."

Penny Palmer laughed. "Darling, you’ve got that wrong. The school sent invitations to all the outstanding alumni. Amanda was the top scorer in our year’s college entrance exam. How could she not have received one?"

As if remembering something, she suddenly covered her mouth. "Oh, dear, how could I forget? Amanda’s name was removed. She’s the only top scorer in the history of our school to be put on the honor roll and then taken off. It’s unlikely she would receive an invitation."

’How could she possibly forget? She probably remembers it all the time, laughing at me inwardly.’

Felix’s face fell. He threw his chopsticks at them. "If you’re crazy, go to a hospital! Why are you yelling in here? Everyone else is eating quietly, but the two of you are just standing here yakking away, ruining everyone’s appetite. Have you no class at all?"

As he finished speaking, someone at a nearby table chimed in, "Exactly."

Who couldn’t hear the taunts and sarcasm dripping from their every word?

The other diners weren’t interested in their drama. They just wanted to eat a peaceful meal, and that couple was the loudest in the restaurant.

The other customers also shot them accusatory looks, making it hard for the pair to keep a straight face. Annoyed, Bob Rhodes threw the invitation onto the table. "If you don’t come, Amanda, you’re a coward."

Seeing that Amanda was ignoring him, the two were about to explode with rage. Unable to bear the stares any longer, they huffed and tried to maintain their arrogant posture as they walked out.

Only then did Amanda glance at their departing backs and scoff. ’They’re nuts.’

Felix muttered a curse under his breath, too.

He glanced at the invitation on the table. It looked familiar. ’I think I saw one in Dad’s study.’

He couldn’t help but ask, "Mom, are you going to that... school anniversary thingy?"

"I haven’t decided. Do you think I should go?"

Felix looked conflicted. He glanced at her before saying, "I think you should go, Mom. Let them see how well you’re doing now, so they’ll never dare to be so arrogant in front of you again."

He clenched his little fists, indignant. His mom was so wonderful; how dare they slander her like that?

Amanda glanced at him and chuckled softly. She casually tucked the invitation into her purse. "Then I’ll go."

Hearing her agree, Felix became hesitant again. "But Mom, if you go, won’t they bully you?"

’He’d heard them say something about her name being removed, and it sounded pretty serious.’

"They won’t." Amanda picked up the chopsticks he’d thrown and asked the waiter for a new pair. Seeing his worried expression, she added, "They can’t bully me."

Her tone was extremely light, tinged with her usual nonchalance, but to Felix, it sounded incredibly powerful. He cupped his cheeks and looked at her. "My mom is the best."

’Why the sudden compliment?’

Amanda found the adoration in his eyes amusing. She handed him the new chopsticks. "Hurry up and eat."

"Okay!" Felix nodded. He would take a few bites, look up at her, and then eat with even more gusto. It made Amanda wonder if she was some kind of appetizer.

But for Felix, she really was. Just looking at his mom put him in a good mood, which improved his appetite and made him eat more.

’He remembered that stinky-mouthed lady saying all the outstanding alumni would be invited. That means his dad and second uncle would probably be going too.’

’He considered both of them in his mind and immediately ruled out Samuel Ford, a look of disdain on his face. ’Forget it. Dad’s hopeless.’’

’I’ll just ask Second Uncle. He can protect Mom.’

’Yep, I’ll call him as soon as we get back.’