While patting Emilia on her head, Amanda is secretly glaring at the child who is also a huge thorn in her life. The moment she saw that child's face, Amanda quickly had the urge to dispose of her as soon as possible. Fortunately, Amanda finally finds the right time to do it.
Amanda suddenly remembered how Clementine readily gave a lot of money to Lisa just to buy a lot of things for Penelope earlier. She suddenly feels a burst of anger in her heart because of it. They were married for two years now but Amanda still cannot grasp her husband's heart and attention. Clementine is always treating her well, but Amanda feels like he is just treating her like a close acquaintance instead of a wife.
All of his attention is still focused on his biological daughter. Every time he comes back to their mansion after his work, the first thing that Clementine will ask is about the things that Penelope did for the whole day. There are numerous times that he will go straight to his daughter's room just to see what she is doing. Being in this situation always makes Amanda feel so neglected and unloved.
Her marriage with Clementine is purely contractual and both of them are benefitting from it, especially her. After Count Reallo died in an accident, Amanda actually had a hard time managing the lands he left on her. She may look calm and collected at that time, but that was only a facade. In truth, Amanda wanted nothing but to rip her head and scream so loud.
Count Reallo kept his huge debt a secret from her. It turns out he was secretly addicted to gambling and had a huge debt. He already sold half of their properties in secret just to pay his debt. After knowing her husband's secret, Amanda wanted to celebrate that he died instead of surviving that accident. It is because she discovered that her husband wanted to sell their remaining property just to go back to the casino in hopes of doubling his money.
Since Amanda is still the countess, all the debts of her husband were left for her to deal with. Steeling herself, she worked a lot just to pay the debt that is not even hers. Amanda managed all the money that she can gather for months just to pay that huge debt but it was not enough. When she was about to surrender, Clementine entered her life like a miracle.
Amanda had already seen the young duke at the previous parties she attended before. But at that time, both of them were already married. But still, many ladies including her admires Clementine for his handsome face and gentle personality. He possesses a face that can make a lady yearn for his presence more.
Amanda was attending a party at that time when the young duke accidentally spilled a glass of wine on her dress. Everyone knows that he was already a widowed man. Amanda did not waste more time and used that accident to her advantage. When the party was over, Amand managed to have another meeting with the young duke so he can replace the dress he ruined with a wine that night.
Before their second meeting, Amanda conducted an investigation about Young Duchess Melissa Drevil, the young duke's wife who died right after she gave birth to their child. After two days, Amanda received a full report about the late duchess. The investigator included even the young duchess's personality and habits. When Amanda met with the young duke, she copied his wife's habits and personality to get his attention.
And her plan became successful because Clementine asked for another meeting with her although he already replaced her dress. He was entranced with the performance that Amanda showed him. She can see that Clementine is thinking of another woman while looking at her. But she didn't show it and continued doing the things that the young duchess used to do when she was still alive.
After their third meeting, the two of them continued their meetings until they became comfortable with each other's company. Soon, Clementine discovered the problem with her family and estate. She revealed that if they cannot pay her late husband's debt, Amanda and her young daughter will be forced to sell everything they have and go back to her father's province.
After a few weeks of consideration, Clementine asked her for a contractual marriage. In exchange for paying all of their debts, all he wants to ask from her is to be a good mother to his daughter. Clementine expressed how much she loves and cares for his daughter. Seeing that Amanda has a lot of similarities to his wife, he is thinking that she can also be a good mother to his daughter.
At that time, Amanda thinks nothing of it. For her, it is only natural for parents to care for their children. Since the young duke's daughter has no mother, it will be easy to befriend her after a few coaxing. Without any delay, Amanda agreed to marry Clementine.
Marrying the young duke has a lot of benefits for her. Her status will rise in their society since she is going to be the new duchess. The debts that keep haunting her will be paid. Most importantly, Young Duke Clementine is going to be her husband who is famous in their kingdom for his intelligence, good looks, gentle personality, and wealth.
Not to mention, Amanda is slowly falling in love with the young duke. Clementine is such a gentleman who knows how to treat a woman right. He is also a good speaker and very knowledgeable about the topics that Amanda throws at him. And most importantly, Clementine possesses a handsome face that every lady in their kingdom admires a lot.
And so, Young Duke Clementine and Countess Amanda had a simple wedding a month after their conversation. Their close relatives and friends were invited to that wedding. But still, it was quickly known to their whole kingdom that Young Duke Dresvil married another woman because of his influence. And Amanda is satisfied with it.
Although their wedding is just contractual, Amanda believed that she can capture Clementine's heart and make him love her for real. But that idea was shattered after she finally met his treasured daughter. Aside from the sapphire eyes that she got from her father, the little girl that Clementine introduced to Amanda is the spitting image of his wife. Amanda also witnessed the way he looks at that child.
It was full of love and care. He also dotes on that child so much. And Amanda quickly feels the crisis rising in her heart. Clementine's heart is closed to loving another woman, but it is already set to raising his only daughter in a most comfortable and loving environment. As long as she exists in his life, Amanda will not easily achieve making him love her.
At first, Amanda tried her best to like that child. Penelope is a bright and bubbly child and everyone in the duke's mansion loves her. When Clementine introduced Amanda to her, Penelope quickly accepted her and instantly called her mama. The little girl genuinely likes her probably because she grew up without a mother on her side.
But every time Amanda sees her face, the more she feels hatred for that child's existence. It is also not helping her to witness the differences in Clementine's treatment between them. Even after being married for two years now, Penelope still weighs a lot more than her.
And so, Amanda finally decided to make a plan. Her solution? She has to dispose of that child as soon as possible. As long as Penelope is still in their lives, Clementine will never notice Amanda and her daughter's existence. Penelope has to disappear if she wants to be happy for real.
That's why today is a special day. Everything is now prepared. Amanda also paid a few people in advance to get rid of the only thorn in her throat. In just a few minutes, Penelope will finally disappear from their lives forever.