Chapter 87

Amanda got back to the city after dropping off Francisca at kindergarten. She hadn't reached home yet when her phone started ringing. Seeing Patrick's name on the screen, she hesitated. Given the altercation with Stella the day before, she assumed her assumed brother was calling to scold her. Despite her reluctance, she answered, "Hello,Patrick." Patrick, sounding sombre, got straight to the point, asking about the unpleasant incident with Stella. Amanda, with a slightly impolite tone, responded, "Are you calling to reprimand me?"

"Ugh, your demeanour is starting to resemble your mother's more and more—increasingly curt and unreasonable! If only you would heed advice, things wouldn't have reached this point..."

Amanda cut Patrick off before he could continue, "Patrick, is there anything else? If not, I'll hang up. I still have work to attend to!" After a brief pause, Patrick brought up, "Mr. Dickson and Amelia are getting engaged on the sixth next month. Will you be there?" Amanda hes