Billy could not believe his eyes. His adorable, funny and sweet Kim was actually the battle ax representing the mysterious scoundrel who was attempting to take Devon's fortune away. For a minute he wondered if there were in fact three women who looked exactly alike-Hilary, Kim and this Amanda Sinclair who seemed to have no similarities with the incredible woman he spent the night with other than her appearance.
Amanda looked at the photograph of Hilary that Devon handed her and her eyes flicked over at Billy probably recalling what he'd told her last night about their resemblance. "I see a slight likeness," she shrugged. Once the dust settled from Amanda's dramatic arrival they-Devon, Jill and Amanda-sat down in the living room and Devon explained in detail why her appearance had caused such a stir.
"Still, my face has no bearing on this case," Amanda gave the photo back to Devon.
"You look exactly like her.."
"You could be her."
Jill and Devon spoke at once.
"I think it's a matter of your fears playing tricks on you," Amanda straightened her suit jacket and opened her briefcase to remove her tablet and several documents.
"I have absolutely nothing to fear," Devon said. He had recovered somewhat from the shock of seeing who he thought was his dead wife at the front door while Jill still vibrated with anger. Meanwhile Amanda was as cool as a cucumber. Billy stood by the fireplace, making it clear to everyone he was taking a neutral stance and not getting involved. Other than when she first entered the room, Amanda did not address him or even acknowledge his presence, only every so often she'd glance his way.
"You should have nothing to fear Devon because Katherine and I were like this," Jill crossed her index and middle finger. "And I can say definitively that Katherine Chancellor wanted Devon to have her fortune when she passed away."
"That's interesting because according to the research that I have here,' Amanda scrolled through her tablet. "You frequently referred to your so-called friend as a, and I quote, 'old bag' and didn't you try to steal her husband back in the day? "
Wow that was a really low blow. Billy shifted his gaze to his mother knowing she wouldn't take it lightly. Jill treasured the time she spent with Katherine and she dared anyone to disparage their friendship just because of the frequent arguments, not to mention the name calling. Despite it all, the love they had for one another was real. Antagonist BFFs was how Chloe described it.
"Now I know that this is all a load of crap," Jill shot back. "If your research was any good, you would know that during the last decade of Katherine's life we were extremely close."
"Really?" Amanda smirked. "So are you ready to testify under oath that Katherine told you that she wanted to leave her money to Devon. And would you be able to provide approximate date, time, circumstances, etcetera.?"
"She didn't tell me in so many words," Jill said. "But when the will was read, I just knew those were the old ba…" she cleared her throat. "Those were Katherine's wishes."
"She didn't tell you in so many words or she didn't tell you at all? And you were as surprised as anyone else when the will was read." Now Amanda sounded like she was badgering someone on the witness stand.
"Yes, I was surprised but…." Jill sputtered.
"I have heard enough," Devon said standing. "You know you're really good," he said to Amanda. "Are you an actress or do you just have the looks for the part?"
Amanda sighed loudly. "Are we back to that again? How I look, my resemblance to your dead wife-again my condolences-have nothing to do with the fact that you Mr. Hamilton have been living off of what rightfully belongs to someone else for years."
"Resemblance," Jill slapped her thigh. "Are you kidding me? You are her spitting image. We showed you pictures and video footage of Hilary. If you don't believe us, then I have trouble believing you graduated at the top of your class or graduated at all for that matter."
"Unfortunately what you believe is irrelevant. This face I happen to have is also irrelevant. The fact is that Tucker McCall, who I see didn't bother to show up and make a statement had his mother's will changed so that his illegitimate son would prosper. The motivation is probably guilt because of the hardship you faced as a child growing up in foster care."
And for a split second Billy saw something flash in Amanda's eyes. He detected a chink in her armor at the mention of Devon being in foster care. Jill and Devon didn't seem to notice a thing as they were on the attack or defense, depending on how you were looking at it. Billy did not want Devon to lose his money. At the same time he couldn't help but be impressed by Amanda Sinclair. His sweet charming Kim's alter ego.
"I wasn't exactly broke at the time of Katherine's death. I am Neil and Drucilla Winter's son, and I was building a promising career in the music business. Tucker didn't pity me."
"That you know of," Amanda cut in. "And why would Mr. McCall not show today? He is well aware of the accusations against him. The paperwork was sent to his office multiple times even before I became involved with the case. There was never any response."
Jill and Devon exchanged a glance. Amanda nodded shrewdly. "I thought so," she said. "Maybe Mr. McCall's intentions were good in that he wanted to right a wrong, but he should have made it up to you with his own money. Not his mother's."
"I still can't believe you think you can just waltz in here looking like you do and we're not supposed to think this is all some scam," Devon said. "You need to ask yourself why did your mystery client and Chance Chancellor, who also can't be located, choose you of all people to represent him in a case against me."
Amanda plastered a fake smile on her face. Billy knew it was fake because he'd seen her genuine smile. "Mr. Hamilton if I were you. I'd stop focusing on my looks and instead start thinking about how you're going to cope with a sudden and drastic change in lifestyle. I've never lost a case, which is why my client hired me. How I look has nothing to do with it." She opened her briefcase and began to put papers back inside.
"And I've never seen anyone who looks exactly like my wife," Devon returned. "So there's always a first time for everything."
Amanda was about to say something when William who had not said one word spoke.
"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt, but I have an important errand I need to run," he said "So mother, Devon, Ms Sinclair," he nodded to her and she was grateful again that nothing in his voice or demeanor revealed that they'd spent the night together or were even acquainted.
"Thanks for coming by." Devon stood to shake William's hand.
"I'll call you," Jill said not taking her eyes off the photocopied documents Amanda had given her.
"I'll see my way out," William said, and after one long look in her direction, he left the room.
"I'm going to give you a chance to process all of this." Amanda said. She pulled out a business card and gave it to Devon. "Here's my number. I'm staying at the Grand Phoenix. Call me when you feel you can have a rational discussion about this matter." A few minutes later her bag was packed and she was on the elevator frantically pushing the button to the ground floor. If William had to wait for an elevator there was a chance that he was still somewhere in the vicinity and she could catch him.
