Elias’ Crimes and Punishments of Romance
Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Chapter 29 An Awkward Dinner

Later, Amanda returned warily to Lotus Waterfront and found Colette making dinner while Aiden’schirps came from inside the bedroom.

He seemed to be on the phone with Simon again.

Why does this little brat call Simon whenever he gets the chance?

At that, she tip-toed to the doorway and quietly pushed the door open, only to replace the little one gigglingover the phone.

She leaned closer, wanting to hear what the two were talking about.

“Will you really be coming back the day after tomorrow, Mr. Simon? You’re not lying to me, are you?Why didn’t Mommy tell me anything about it?”

“Really. Maybe she wants to give you a surprise.”

“Wow! What a surprise! Will you treat me to yummy food when you come back, Mr. Simon? Mommywon’t let me eat any of them. Hmph!”

“Sure thing. Your mommy and I will take you out for yummy food. You can eat whatever you like; I’llback you up.”

“Yay! Thank you, Mr. Simon!”

After hearing their conversation, Amanda had to admit that Simon had a way of coaxing a child despitenever having been a dad himself. How does he have so much experience? Is he gifted at it?

With that, she entered the bedroom and deliberately cleared her throat.

Instantly, Aiden jumped out of bed like a startled bunny and said to Simon, “Mommy’s home! Shedoesn’t like it when I interrupt your work. I’ll see you in two days, Mr. Simon. Bye!”

At that, the boy speedily hung up and chucked the phone to the armchair aside.

“Mommy, I’ve only talked to Mr. Simon for a few minutes. I definitely didn’t interrupt his work. I calledduring his break,” Aiden explained solemnly with eyes filled with innocence.

“Really? How do you know that he’s on a break?” Amanda feigned sternness.

“I calculated it. The time difference between here and Esmos is such that it’s Mr. Simon’s break timenow,” said the little one as he calculated with his tiny hands. It seemed that he had indeed taken a lot oftime to get to the result.

Tsk… This little devil is quite smart.

At that, she ruffled his hair and sighed. “Do you like Simon that much?”

“Of course!” Aiden looked up at his mother with twinkling eyes, thinking she was finally struck with anepiphany. “I’ve done the calculations, Mommy. Mr. Simon suits you very well. He’s the epitome of aperfect man!”

Amanda was rendered speechless. Perfect man? Where did this child learn all of that from?

“Alright, enough playing. Just look at the time. Go wash up and go to bed now!” She turned the boy’stiny body around and led him to the bathroom.

However, Aiden was still going at it. “Mommy, you really have to think about it! A fine man like Mr.Simon is very popular with the ladies. You’ll be doomed if someone else gets to him first!” he said overhis shoulder.

“And how will I be doomed? There are plenty of men in this world.”

“But none of them are Mr. Simon! They’re different. Different, I tell you!”

Amanda had no comeback to that. Suddenly, it hit her that her little boy had grown up and wasbeginning to develop his own ideas. He could no longer be deceived so easily.

Very quickly, it came the day Simon returned to the country. After work, Amanda went to the airport topick him up before heading to Winters Manor for dinner.

She needed to quickly stop Howard from arranging further blind dates for her.

Amanda waited at the airport exit for a long time until she finally saw Simon approaching her with aluggage cart. He had a handsome face with a gentle smile. He wore a beige windbreaker. standing talland elegant like a noble gentleman. As Aiden put it, he was the epitome of a perfect

man.

“Have you been waiting for long. Amanda?” he asked gently, to which Amanda shook her head. “I justgot here too.”

“Why didn’t you bring Aiden along? I thought you two were supposed to welcome me together,

no?”

She felt a little embarrassed and didn’t know how to put it to him.

Simon, too, noticed her discomfort and couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong? Has somethinghappened?”

“Can you do me a favor tonight? It’s really urgent and I can’t replace anyone suitable, so…”

“What is it?” Simon turned solemn at once, thinking Amanda had encountered great difficulty.

At that, she smiled awkwardly and rubbed her wristwatch while stuttering. “Well, can you… maybe…pretend to be my boyfriend for the night? To get through this situation I’m in.”

Pretend to be your boyfriend? Surprise overcame Simon before a chuckle escaped him. “Sure thing.It’s not a problem.”

“Don’t you want to know why I need you to be my boyfriend?” She looked up in astonishment.

“You must have your reasons. I’d like to hear it out if you’re willing to share, but it’s fine if you

don’t.”

Amanda was touched. Simon really was gentle and considerate. He would certainly be a perfecthusband who doted on his wife and children.

But the next second, insecurity washed over her again. I guess I don’t deserve him. Whatever. Enoughoverthinking, Bailey.

“Thank you so much, Boss! I shall work hard to repay you.” Amanda would take up more cases forSimon while she was still in the country and make some achievements to repay him.

“Sure.” Simon chuckled. “You’re the kind of employee I need.”

At that, the two exchanged a smile.

With that, Amanda drove them to the Winters Manor, where Howard was pacing around anxiously likean ant on a hot griddle.

Inside the Winters Manor, Howard paced back and forth anxiously, still having trouble coming to termswith the fact that Amanda already had a boyfriend.

Has Amanda really gotten a boyfriend? He wished she didn’t and that she wouldn’t come over. Thatway, Elias would still have a chance.

But what would he do if Amanda came over with her boyfriend? That would mean the chances of Eliasand Amanda ever remarrying would be completely gone.

Just then, the butler approached Howard. “Old Mr. Winters, Miss Bailey has arrived. She has brought aman over, and the way I see it…”

“What did you see? Tell me!” Howard felt nervous and uncomfortable. It was like a massive boulderwas weighing down on him.

“They look like a pretty good match and very much in love too…” the butler revealed, dishearteningHoward as the latter slumped onto the couch like a deflated balloon.

“Grandpa. I’m here!” Amanda and Simon arrived in the living room to replace a devastated Howard, wholooked toward them in response, only to resign completely after seeing Simon for himself.

“Oh, Amanda…. Is this… your boyfriend?” Howard asked as he slowly got up. The longer he sized theyoung man up, the more heartbroken he was, for Simon didn’t appear any lesser than Elias in terms ofappearance.

It was completely reasonable that Amanda would fall for a man like him.

“Hello, sir. I’m Simon Nicholson of Justice & Associates. I work alongside Amanda.” Simon introducedhimself politely, briefly, and modestly, and Amanda couldn’t help but add, “He’s one of the founders ofour law firm too, Grandpa. I guess you can say he’s my boss.”

Howard chuckled wryly in response and felt a heart attack coming on, for the two genuinely lookedperfect together.

“Come, let’s go to the dining room. I’ve got dinner ready for you guys.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!” Amanda even took the initiative to wrap her arms around Simon’s while hesmiled gently at her.

Naturally, Howard’s blood pressure skyrocketed when he saw their interaction.

After everyone had taken their seats at the dining table, the servants brought out the food.

Just then, the butler approached Howard again. “Old Mr. Winters, Mr. Elias and Miss Murphy havearrived.”

As if showing up now can salvage anything! Howard sighed glumly. That b*stard rascal ultimatelypushed Amanda to another man!

“Sure. Whatever.” The elder wasn’t even in the mood to talk anymore. He just wanted to finish thisdinner quickly so that everyone would go home. Just looking at Simon made him uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Amanda frowned. Elias has come too? What is he doing here?

Just then, footsteps were heard approaching, and Elias and Grace showed up in the dining room toinstantly replace Simon, who sat next to Amanda.

For a moment, an inexplicable aura filled the space.

“So, this is your boyfriend?” Elias asked as he sized Simon up with squinted eyes that exudedintimidation.

“Yeah. This is Simon Nicholson.”

“Hello. Simon dipped his head calmly at Elias, who eventually sat across from Amanda. Grace, too,followed Elias, and the servants added another set of cutleries.

“I wonder what your job is, Mr. Nicholson?” Elias asked with his gaze boring into Simon.

Simon’s gaze bore into Elias as well, and the intense stare-off was like a silent competition.

“Justice & Associates.” Simon smiled. “I’m a lawyer too.”

“Oh…” Elias sneered, seemingly disdainful, and it pissed Amanda off. “He’s my boss, one of thefounders of Justice & Associates,” she retorted.

Justice & Associates was one of the top law firms in the country, and Simon had won many awardsfrom the Monterrey Lawyer Association, far surpassing Elias, a libertine scion.

“So what?” Elias asked with a slightly quirked brow, unimpressed.