“Twentieth….” Amanda mumbled, with her breath stalled in her chest. Carl's gaze intensified, and she could feel her palms become sweaty as she stared at him, with goosebumps appearing on her skin.

“Yes, Barbie doll. Have you been able to come up with anything?” He inquired with raised eyebrows, and she understood from his look that he was indirectly mocking her because he was fully aware of her predicament.

He heard the news about her being dismissed from her job, and he realized ...