Amanda Jenkins had slept a long time.
In her slumber, she had many dreams. Every time she felt pain in a dream, a pair of warm, large hands would tightly grasp hers.
They seemed like her brother's hands, as if her brother was right there by her side, so warm, so secure.
She wanted to open her eyes and see clearly.
"Brother!"
Amanda struggled a bit and finally managed to lift her heavy eyelids.
As her vision cleared from the blur, a handsome face came into focus.
"You're awake," Lucas Griffin's deep eyes twinkled with tender light; he raised a hand and gently touched Amanda's forehead, "The fever has finally broken."
His gaze was too tender, leaving Amanda somewhat at a loss.
She didn't have the courage to meet his eyes, and her gaze flitted about in panic before she realized that her clothes had been changed.
Noticing her nervousness, Lucas smiled, "Don't worry, a nurse changed your clothes."
Amanda didn't speak. She tried to get out of bed but found her left hand was held in his.
She pulled her hand free and hurriedly threw off the blankets, turning to get out of bed.
"Where are you going?" Lucas held her back.
Amanda jerked her hand away from Lucas as if shocked, her voice somewhat hoarse, "I'm going... going home."
"Rest well, and I'll take you home once you've recovered," he said, his gentle voice carrying an undeniable firmness.
"Young Master Griffin need not trouble himself," Amanda responded coldly, putting on her shoes and walking out.
Lucas watched her slender figure, his brows furrowing slightly, "That year, I went back to look for you."
Amanda stiffened, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
Images from the previous night flashed through her mind.
It wasn't a dream, he really had appeared.
"Forgive me."
The words were spoken softly but they clearly reached Amanda's ears.
A throb ran through Amanda's heart. She took another deep breath, finally mustering the courage to turn and face him.
Her lips weakly curled into a pale smile, "Sorry, I don't understand what Young Master Griffin is talking about. It seems we don't know each other."
"If we don't know each other, why did you slap me last night?"
Amanda paused for a moment then coldly said, "I mistook you for someone else."
"Heh." His lips curved into a wry smile. Lucas was not angry but slightly raised his eyebrows, "Just mistook me for someone else?"
"Yes," Amanda replied flatly, "I just mistook you for someone else."
"You really can't forgive me?" the deep voice suppressed emotions.
Who was Lucas Griffin? When had he ever spoken in such a manner to anyone?
Amanda chuckled, "I think Young Master Griffin is mistaken, it should be I who am asking for your forgiveness. I am truly sorry about last night and hope Young Master Griffin can overlook the offense of one beneath him. Also, I'm truly grateful that Young Master Griffin purchased my design for fifty million last night."
Amanda said all this fluently, without a trace of emotion.
But Lucas felt somewhat defeated. His brows knit tightly, his deep gaze seeking her eyes.
Amanda tilted her face up slightly, meeting his gaze with indifference.
She appeared utterly composed, as if they truly didn't know each other, her eyes seemingly only seeing a stranger.
And indeed, they were "strangers" to one another.
After a brief exchange of looks, Lucas was about to speak when Amanda cut in, "If Young Master Griffin has nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
Amanda Jenkins turned to leave, but Lucas Griffin extended his hand in front of her, nodding slightly with gentlemanly grace, "Hello, my name is Lucas Griffin, pleased to meet you."
Amanda Jenkins was taken aback, looking puzzled at the gentle and elegant smile in his eyes.
"Since we didn't know each other before, let's shake hands now, and we can consider it a proper introduction."
He looked very handsome when he smiled, with a captivating charm.
Amanda Jenkins hesitated for a while before quickly turning her head away, scoffing coldly, "Young Master Griffin, I'm afraid I'm not in your league."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Lucas Griffin's hand remained in the air, feeling only the cold breeze penetrating his fingertips, as gloom overshadowed the gentle smile on his face.
Not until Amanda's figure disappeared from his sight did Lucas turn around, looking despondently at the room.
He had Jonas Jox inquire about her preferences; this room was decorated according to her likes, yet she hadn't even glanced at it.
Was he perhaps too anxious?
...
In the study.
Benjamin Griffin stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Amanda Jenkins's hasty retreat below.
He closed the file in his hand that contained Amanda Jenkins's information, "Judging by her performance yesterday, she is quite different from the rumors. Although her grades are poor, she has never done anything out of line."
The Old Housekeeper nodded, "After all, Yvonne Gough is Amanda Jenkins's stepmother, and she favors her own biological daughter more. The more useless Amanda Jenkins seems, the better it fits her intentions."
"Such are the typical affairs of high society. Regardless, Amanda Jenkins indeed surprised everyone last night. She is a smart kid, with some courage and determination, it's just that..." Benjamin Griffin frowned with annoyance, remembering how Amanda dared to hit the Griffin's Family Successor in front of so many people, "She is just a bit too stubborn!"
"Master needn't be angry. I don't believe there's a woman in the world that Young Master Griffin cannot win over."
"Hmph," Benjamin Griffin snorted coldly, "I haven't agreed to their matter!"
"Then what does the Master mean…"
"Recently, Fernando Bollock called me, intending an alliance through marriage with our Griffin Family. Emma has always been fond of Lucas; although she is hot-tempered, she follows Lucas's words closely. She could be nurtured."
"Has the Master already agreed?"
"Yes." Benjamin Griffin looked out the window again, as Amanda Jenkins's figure was fading into the distance, "Therefore, I will not allow this girl named Amanda Jenkins to disrupt my plans."
...
It was as if she had drained all her strength just to walk out of the royal-palace-like Griffin Family estate.
Her emotions were on the verge of collapse, but the unresolved wishes in her heart kept her going, enabling her to bravely face everything.
She turned to look at the Griffin Family's golden carved floral gate.
Just dealing with Yvonne Gough and Anastasia Jenkins was exhausting enough, and now there was Lucas Griffin to contend with.
It seemed her life wouldn't be peaceful in the future.
And the incident from last night must have made Yvonne and Anastasia very angry.
She dared not imagine what she would face upon her return.
If it were normal times, she would face them bravely.
But now, the sudden appearance of Lucas Griffin caught her off guard, and she was completely drained, lacking the energy to deal with them, wishing only to hide away for a while.
Amanda Jenkins hailed a taxi, not going home but to a convalescent hospital on the outskirts of the city.
The nurses at the hospital were very familiar with her, as Amanda greeted them with a smile as she passed.
In front of others, her smile was so bright. She had long learned to mask everything with a smile.
Entering the elevator, she arrived at a hospital room on the sixth floor.
Amanda Jenkins pushed open the door…