The Barrister's Love in Town

Ah! So, they’re both in the legal field. No wonder Simon’s parents look so stern, yet

elegant as well.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson.” Amanda smiled as she greeted them again.

Frederick looked at the time. “It’s getting late, so everyone’s probably hungry. Let’s call

the waiter here to take our orders.”

Just then, the waiter came in with two menus. Unbeknownst to them, Elias’ pranks were

already underway.

Frederick flipped through the menu, then ordered a fish dish for a start. The waiter,

however, replied with a troubled look, I’m sorry, but it’s not available.”

“What?” Frederick was slightly surprised. They frequented this restaurant, and they knew

that any guests. who made reservations could order whatever dishes they wanted.

Amanda felt even more awkward, so she focused on drinking even more tea.

Simon ordered another dish. “We’ll take a steamed grouper, then.”

The waiter said, “I’m sorry, sir, but we’re out of groupers too. We received more

reservations than usual today, so-

“More reservations than usual? Are you kidding me? Red House only accepts reservations

for 15 tables every day, and I reserved the seventh one. What do you mean, you’re out of

ingredients?”

Simon felt that something was off, so he stood up and said to his parents, “Dad, Mom, stay

put. I’ll talk to the manager and see what’s up.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m going too.” Amanda didn’t want to be alone with Simon’s parents, for she didn’t know

what to talk about.

She had just stood up when Simon’s mother, Isabelle Thompson, said, “You should wait

here instead of running around with him; the weather is so hot today. Or are you scared

that we might eat you up?”

Amanda smiled awkwardly. “No, that’s not it.”

“Stay here with my parents. I’ll be right back.” Simon stood up and left the private room.

Amanda was left alone with Simon’s parents in the private room, and the atmosphere

turned extremely awkward.

“Have some tea, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson.” Amanda kept pouring tea for the two.

Meanwhile…

Elias sat in another private room, listening to all the goings on via the listening-in device

attached to the waiter. He couldn’t help but put on a wry smile.

Aiden was enjoying himself, playing games on Elias” phone.

Elias swore that he would ruin Amanda’s relationship with Simon.

He poured out a cup of tea and swirled it in his hand, muttering, “Count yourself unlucky

to have run into

me.”

It was Simon’s fault for picking this restaurant out of all the restaurants in the area.

However, the next conversation Elias heard through the listening-in device made him

clench his fists, for Amanda was being bullied.

In the private room, before the waiter left, he hid the listening-in device behind a vase on

purpose.

Isabelle studied Amanda for a while, then said, “I heard that you got divorced and even

had a child, Miss. Bailey.”

In an instant, the atmosphere in the private room turned cold.

Amanda’s smile froze on her lips. She knew that she would face this situation, but she

didn’t expect Isabelle to be so straightforward about it.

“Yes…”

Frederick asked her in the tone lawyers always used in court, “Can you tell us the reason?

Did he cheat on you, or was your relationship broken?”

Amanda felt as if she were being interrogated.

Still, she would have to face this sooner or later. She could only grit her teeth and reply,

“Our relationship was broken…”

Isabelle queried, “Did the father not fight for the child’s custody? You have to know that if

a lone woman raises a child and a young boy at that, it’ll be very difficult for her to start

another family. She’ll also face a lot of pressure.”

“I… want the child to stay with me.”

Frederick and Isabelle exchanged glances. He chose to drink his tea and stay silent,

leaving the rest to Isabelle.

Isabelle advised Amanda in a very logical tone, “You’re very pretty and outstanding, Miss

Bailey. I heard that your mother passed away early, and your father is a gambler. Our

family has always been in the legal field, and we’re always just and pure. We may not be

able to accept a gambler as our in-law.”

The few simple sentences brought Amanda’s self-esteem to an all-time low. She

subconsciously lowered her head, not willing to say another word.

Tears even started pooling in her eyes. This is the naked truth.

She was far too inferior to Simon, so it was reasonable for the Nicholsons to look down on

her. But did they have to be so blunt about it?

Seeing that Amanda had fallen silent, Isabelle said slowly, “Our son has always been

innocent in love, and he hasn’t been in many relationships. He never got married before,

but now that he has to be someone’s stepfather, it saddens us a little.”

+

By the looks of it, the meal wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Simon’s parents were here to turn her away.

Amanda suddenly raised her head and looked at the man and woman sitting opposite her.

“Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, I’m very sorry. Indeed, I’m not quite on par with Simon, but I

cannot choose my life experiences. Since you cannot accept me, I won’t bother you any

longer. Simon is an outstanding man, and I believe he’ll find someone better. Forgive me,

for I’m not in the best of moods right now. I’ll have to excuse myself from the meal. Please

inform Simon for me. I’ll be leaving now.”

With that, she got up and took her purse, then turned to leave the private room without a

care for the tea stains on her clothes.