Chapter 79

Chapter 79

"Amanda! What are you doing here?"

Seeing Amanda standing behind the door, I frowned slightly.

After what Amanda pulled at the banquet hall, which completely ruined Michael's career, he just brought her back home like that? Does this mean he's forgiven her?

The shock in my eyes seemed to please her. Amanda's face lit up with a bright smile, her seductive eyes seemingly hiding hooks as she said smugly, "Take a guess? Do you think I could get into this house without Michael's permission?"

Hearing this, a wave of disgust rose in my chest, and surging anger nearly burst out from my heart.

Michael was truly shameless. He kept saying he wouldn't divorce, yet he brought Amanda back home. Where was his attitude of admitting his mistakes?

If he didn't want to admit his mistakes, then why was he dragging his feet and refusing to divorce?

"Where's Michael?" I asked directly.

I needed to ask him what exactly he was trying to do.

Amanda blocked the doorway, not letting me in. "He's not seeing anyone today."

If he didn't want to see me, why did he deliberately call my home?

I asked angrily with a stern face, "Then let whoever made that call come out. What exactly did he say to my mom? It made her so angry she rushed right over."

Amanda pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth, then blinked innocently. "Oh, you mean that phone call? I made it. I just wanted to tell you some good news, but who knew your mom would answer?"

I frowned. Amanda was truly shameless enough, calling to show off as soon as she moved back in.

But I was obviously thinking too simply.

Amanda moved her hand from her mouth down to her belly, with a hint of smugness in her eyes. "Do you know why Michael was willing to take me back? Because I'm pregnant."

"Shameless!"

Those words weren't from me. I heard an angry and furious voice behind me, and when I turned around, I saw Melissa.

She had rushed over in such a hurry that her chest was still heaving, her face full of anger.

Afraid she might act impulsively, I quickly stepped forward to stop her. "Mom, please calm down."

Melissa pushed me aside with a stern face, her eyes coldly fixed on Amanda. "Your whole family is truly shameless! Pregnant and deliberately calling home to announce it—are you afraid people won't know about the disgraceful things you've done?"

Amanda's expression changed slightly, then she smugly stuck out her belly. "Still better than Claire not being able to have children."

While holding Melissa back, I tried hard to contain my anger and looked Amanda up and down with disdain. "Did Michael tell you about him refusing to divorce?"

Amanda was stunned for a moment. Clearly she didn't know about this, but it didn't stop her from continuing to be annoying.

She laughed coldly. "So what? He won't divorce you just because he doesn't want to split the assets with you. Do you think he loves you? After all these years, haven't you figured it out yet?"

Someone like Michael, capable of love?

What he loved most was himself.

After everything Amanda had been through, she was still willing to have his child?

Once this child was born, I'd be impressed if she didn't get kicked out.

I asked in a low voice, "You're back, and his parents can accept this too?"

Amanda was now involved with Michael and pregnant. Were Austin and Heather's standards really this low?

Clearly I had overestimated this family's bottom line.

Just as I was questioning her, Heather's voice came from behind. "Amanda, what are you doing? You just got pregnant, you need to be careful and not hurt yourself. Who are you talking to?"

When she came out, she happened to see Melissa and me, and her expression immediately changed.

Then she pulled Amanda behind her with a stern face and demanded, "What are you doing here?"

If Amanda hadn't called to upset people, who would come to the Sinclair family?

Before I could speak, Amanda's eyes reddened as she choked up, "Mom, I called Claire to try to persuade her to talk things through with Michael, but who knew that when she heard I was pregnant, she rushed over angrily and scolded me."

Upon hearing this, Heather immediately glared at me with displeasure. "Don't make such a fuss here, as if we owe you something. You've been married for so long and haven't had a single child. Just because you can't have children, doesn't mean others can't?"

I was almost amused by their shamelessness.

"Fine, since you're all not afraid of being shameful, why should I worry about you? When we go to court, you'd better be able to explain Amanda's pregnancy clearly too."

"Mom, what are you all doing!"

Michael, who had been hiding in his room, saw things getting worse and worse. Afraid I might lose my composure from their provocation, he quickly ran out.

He urged, "Stop making trouble for me!"

Facing Michael's angry shout, Heather's arrogance subsided somewhat, but she still muttered with dissatisfaction, "I'm doing this all for you."

I looked at Michael coldly. He seemed embarrassed under my stare and looked away, saying quietly, "This was an accident, but she's already two months pregnant. I can't just ignore it."

Facing this family, I only felt their shamelessness.

"Since you want to protect Amanda, I have nothing more to say. I hope you'll be this straightforward in court too."

With that, I pulled Melissa to leave.

Michael frowned and immediately stepped forward to stop me. "Don't go, we haven't talked this through yet! I can agree to the divorce, but it's impossible for me to leave with nothing. At most, I'll accept splitting the assets fifty-fifty."

"The house we bought at Evergreen Manor can't go to you, the one we're living in now can't go to you either, the car is in my name so it can't go to you, and then there's the company—"

Hearing him ramble on like this, I finally understood.

He didn't want to give me anything, yet he was still talking about splitting assets fifty-fifty.

I scolded, "Have you no shame? Weren't these things earned by both of us together?"

Michael's tone was self-righteous. "You were sick at home for a whole year before. Wasn't I the one holding everything together that entire year? I contributed more than you to begin with."

I narrowed my eyes and laughed mockingly. "Michael, do you really think I don't know how I got my heart palpitations? Do I have to expose everything?"

Michael's expression suddenly changed, and there was a hint of panic in his eyes as he looked at me.

"What are you saying?"

I stared at him coldly. "You know exactly what I'm saying. Why I got sick—don't think I don't know—"

"Shut up!" Before I could finish, Michael suddenly raised his hand and slapped me, making me see stars and my cheek burn with pain.

Seeing him strike, Heather was first stunned in surprise, then quickly stepped forward to pull Michael back. "Why are you hitting her?"

Of course she wasn't feeling sorry for me, but was afraid Michael would get in trouble. After all, I had made scenes several times before, which had left a deep impression on her.

We were already in the divorce process, and this slap from Michael could very likely cause big trouble.