Chapter 16 Now That's a Power Move Chapter 16 Now That's a Power Move Now it was the Tate family's turn to be stunned . +10 Free Coins Who would've thought Austin would personally arrange for a car to take Mandy home ? Even they had never received such treatment . Given how things had already been said , insisting Mandy leave with them would only come off as too desperate . So , unwilling as they were , John and the others could only leave the Yale estate for now . In the car , Yvonne spoke uneasily . " Dad , Mr. Austin kept Mandy there ... do you think maybe he doesn't believe she's crazy ? " Jade chimed in , " The way she acted just now , all wild and erratic - how is that any different from a madwoman ? Maybe Mr. Austin kept her just to break off the engagement ." John agreed . " Simon would never allow a lunatic into the family . Don't worry , Yvonne ." Hearing that , Yvonne finally relaxed - and smiled smugly . Once the Yale family rejected Mandy , she'd make sure to punish her properly . She'd humiliate her , torment her , and finally have her locked up in an asylum for life . Steal her place ? Mandy would pay for it . Back at the Yale estate- After the Tates left , Simon suddenly laughed . " Heh ... Such boldness at her age - very impressive ." His praise made Mandy feel a bit awkward . A family argument that ended in flying tea wasn't exactly something to be proud of . -There are some small disagreements between me and my parents . I'm sorry you had to witness that , Grandpa Yale . " " I've seen the way your parents favor their adoptive daughter . If you didn't have some backbone left , I'd say you had no spine at all . You did well . The Yale family needs a daughter - in - law with real strength . Someone who can help Austin run the company one day . " Huh ? " Mandy was a little caught off guard . What the Tate family saw as defiance and disrespect - Simon considered strength and capability ? " Mr. Simon , you flatter me . Really ... " She actually felt a little embarrassed . Simon continued , " I like your temperament . With more experience , you'll be able to help Austin lead the company . That would give me peace of mind ." " You two go on and finish discussing your project . I'm going to rest ." After Simon left , Mandy was invited to a quiet , elegant room . The short table was set with delicate refreshments . A single tulip in a vase gave the air a gentle floral fragrance , For some reason , whenever Mandy was near Austin , she felt a strange heat - an urge to put distance between them . 1/2 P P Chapter 16 Now That's a Power Move She started , " About the design ... have you thought it over ? " Austin took his time , sipping tea with graceful ease . " Eat something first . There's no rush ." Mandy had a feeling he was stalling . Then again , she had insisted on including the old district out of personal interest . It was a lot to ask . Austin picked up a dessert himself and placed it before her . " I'm guessing you're hungry . " He was right . She'd rushed out after the phone call without even grabbing a bite . Wait a second- Why were the refreshments already prepared ? Had he anticipated she'd be hungry ... from the moment he called her ? +10 Free Coins Mandy remembered how in her past life , no matter how much the Tate family slandered her , Austin never agreed to break off the engagement . Even when her adoptive parents were kidnapped and she threatened suicide - costing him serious public embarrassment- he never gave in . Looking back , why had he insisted so much ? Mandy didn't dare overthink it . If she guessed wrong , she'd just make a fool of herself . Suddenly , Austin said , " Your relationship with your biological parents seems strained . If you don't want to go back , you can stay here at the Yale estate . " He was offering to let her live there ? Just like that ? It was generous - but Mandy politely declined . " We may be engaged , but we're not married yet . Moving into the Yale house now wouldn't be appropriate . I'll wait until after " We may be engaged , but the wedding ." Mainly , if she moved in now , she'd be too far from the Tate family - making it harder to deal with them . Austin hadn't expected to be rejected by a girl not even twenty . It seemed she still didn't fully understand what the Yale family represented . She was still young . Still rash . Interesting . Austin's lips curved into a warm , breezy smile . Mandy said , " About the design - if you go with it , I won't charge you anything . If it's too much trouble , don't feel pressured ." She stood , ready to leave . But Austin said , " Your design is excellent . I've decided to restructure the project to include the old district . " " Really ?! " 2/