Chapter 46: I’ve Seen Her

That one sentence was like a drop of water in hot oil, instantly making the crowd erupt. The way everyone looked at Amanda Vance changed.

Although many people there weren’t from her year, they knew her story. The provincial valedictorian who had gotten into Auden University, only to be expelled over her "personal conduct" and disavowed by her high school alma mater. It had caused quite a stir back in the day. Reporters had even covered the story, but unfortunately, she wasn’t in the country and couldn’t be interviewed.

’So, she’s back now?’

’How could she have the nerve to come back? If it were them, they’d never return, especially not here. Wasn’t it shameful enough?’

Taking in their expressions, Amanda Vance looked up at Penny Palmer and chuckled. "So fixated on my son, are you? Is it because you agree with him that your mouth is foul?"

"You!" Penny Palmer’s face fell. She hadn’t expected Amanda to humiliate her in public. People in their circle always kept up appearances and avoided offending each other.

’But then again,’ she thought, ’what reputation does Amanda Vance have left to lose? She’s probably just given up completely.’

At this thought, her composure returned. She smiled and said, "Children must be taught properly from a young age. Kids who spout nonsense aren’t very likable."

"I don’t think it’s nonsense," Amanda Vance said, looking Penny up and down. She took a step back, pinched her nose, and added, "It really does stink."

The disgust on her face was blatant. Even the people around them couldn’t help but glance at Penny Palmer, their own noses twitching slightly.

Penny Palmer’s face went completely dark.

’Amanda Vance!’

She screamed the name in her mind, her fists clenching tightly.

Seeing the situation, Shirley Vance said with a hint of reproach, "Sister, how could you talk like that?"

Amanda Vance glanced at her and asked coolly, "Is that also something from a street stall you’re wearing today?"

That one sentence wiped the smile right off Shirley Vance’s face. Her expression darkened as she snapped, "This is a new piece from the House of V!"

’It may not be from the "July" collection, but it’s still good.’

She glanced at Amanda’s outfit, a flicker of disdain in her eyes. "Sister, what brand are you wearing? I don’t seem to recognize it."

"I made it myself," Amanda Vance said matter-of-factly. Her candor was so disarming that it choked the sarcastic retort right back down Shirley Vance’s throat.

’Too easy.’

Amanda Vance shook her head internally, clicked her car key fob, and walked straight inside, ignoring everyone around her.

She didn’t notice an intense gaze from a nearby car that had been fixed on her the entire time.

A head leaned over to look out the window, flashing a wide, toothy grin. "That Amanda Vance has a seriously sharp tongue. And Colt wanted me to look out for her? She doesn’t look like she needs any help from me."

From the looks of it, she could take on five people by herself.

Hearing this, Samuel Ford frowned slightly. "Colt asked you to look after her?"

"Yep. He called me specifically about it."

"Let me see the number."

Shawn Ford, confused, pulled up his recent call history and showed him.

It was indeed Colt’s number.

Staring at the phone, Samuel Ford’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. If he remembered correctly, Colt had also asked Shawn Ford to help look after Amanda Vance during the car race.

’But why?’

’How would he know Amanda Vance?’

’And why would he want to help her?’

Something felt off. His brow furrowed. Seeing this, Shawn Ford thought it was strange and waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, Samuel, what are you thinking about? By the way, why didn’t you bring Colt with you today?"

"He said he didn’t want to come." The mention of his son gave Samuel Ford a headache.

"Didn’t want to come?" Shawn Ford gave him a puzzled look. After a moment’s thought, he figured it was possible. If Colt had planned on coming, he wouldn’t have needed to ask him to help Amanda Vance.

"Well, let’s get out of the car, then. I still have to go help her."

His expression didn’t look like he wanted to help at all; it looked more like he wanted to add fuel to the fire.

Samuel Ford shot him a look but said nothing as they both got out of the car.

The anniversary ceremony was in the main auditorium. On the way, they passed the wall of honor. Samuel Ford glanced over and immediately noticed a blank space.

It was under the section for the top students of the Class of ’XX, and the first spot, where the valedictorian’s name should have been, was empty.

The gossip he’d overheard earlier echoed in his mind.

...the provincial valedictorian who was expelled for having a child out of wedlock.

He knew about the incident. The scandal had been so huge it was hard not to. He just never imagined that person was Amanda Vance.

Shawn Ford followed his gaze and clicked his tongue. "You know, I actually saw her a few times back then."

At this, Samuel Ford turned to him. "You’ve met her before?"

"Yeah. It was years ago, and I’d totally forgotten until I heard all that gossip today. She was two years ahead of me, so I saw her around school a few times. Hey, wait, Samuel, you probably saw her too, right? You were a senior when she was a freshman."

"I don’t remember her."

Shawn Ford wasn’t surprised by his answer. "Well, you already had early admission to Auden University, so you were hardly ever on campus. It makes sense you don’t remember her. But I have to say, Amanda Vance in person doesn’t really match the rumors."

"Oh?"

Seeing his brother’s flicker of interest, Shawn became more animated. "Back then, I didn’t know who she was. If you hadn’t told me that was *the* Amanda Vance, I’d have just thought she was some goody-two-shoes. Her reputation at school was, uh... not great."

He was putting it mildly, and Samuel Ford could guess what the reality had been.

Shawn Ford thought for a moment, as if recalling her from back then. "She was already really pretty in high school. Always walking by herself, always wearing the school uniform."

At this, he clicked his tongue again. A total bookworm getup.

The school did require uniforms, but besides the timid kids who were afraid of the teachers, many students didn’t wear them—including some of the top students the teachers favored. Of course, being a good student wasn’t determined by whether you wore a uniform or not.

Shawn Ford wasn’t particularly interested in women, so he hadn’t given it much thought. But any fleeting idea he’d had about her and his older brother being a good match was now completely gone.

"There’s no smoke without fire. She must have had her issues, I guess."

Samuel Ford remained silent, his expression impassive. He shot his brother a glance and said simply, "Let’s go."

With that, he strode off. Shawn was lost in thought for a second, and by the time he looked up, his brother was several paces ahead. He hurried to catch up. "Hey, Samuel, wait for me!"

’What’s the rush?’

’But his brother’s expression seems a little dark. Is he in a bad mood?’

He eyed him suspiciously but couldn’t figure anything out. ’I’m probably just overthinking it,’ he concluded. ’Isn’t he always like this?’

In Colt’s words, he always looks like the whole world owes him money.

Thinking of this, he chuckled to himself.

Samuel Ford shot him a sidelong glance and, as if by accident, created a little more distance between them.

’Fool, believing all those rumors.’

Shawn Ford, completely oblivious, looked around curiously. You had to admit, the school had gone all out this time. The decorations were magnificent.

The two of them reached the check-in table, only to find another tense situation. A small group had surrounded someone. Their expressions were hostile, and the atmosphere was clearly not good.

Shawn Ford craned his neck to see what was happening. "Huh," he said, "Is Amanda Vance arguing with someone again?"