Chapter 71: Chapter 71
“Oh, look who's here…” her former stepmother clucked her tongue, with a venomous smile, “If it isn't little Mrs. Sullivan... Did you come here to ask your husband to buy you a new crib...? Or maybe another nasty little animal for you to play with...?
“What are you doing here, Samantha? Charlie jumped to his feet immediately, feeling anger burn in his throat.
“Oh, you don't know…” Samantha laughed mockingly, placing the bag she was carrying on the extremely comfortable coffee table. “I tend to visit Morgan often. We are so close...
“ If you think I believe your lies? “Possessed, Charlie approached her, finger in the air“ So, she's sorely mistaken. You better tell me what you're doing in my husband's office right now if you don't want me to call security to kick you out!
“And you really think you have the authority to do it? “ Samantha sneered, through clenched teeth.
“Of course I have! I'm Mrs. Sullivan, in case you forgot. “ Charlie smiled, full of confidence, being more than pleased to see her growl “ Oh, let me guess what you came here for: you came to try one more time to convince my husband to give up questioning my father's heritage, it is not? “ she laughed, seeing the other woman's face get even darker “ Don't you know when to give up, Samantha?
“The only one who doesn't know her place here is you, you stupid little thing! “ her former stepmother approached her, with a murderous expression that made it look like she was ready to hit her at any moment, but even so, Charlie refused to be intimidated “ Was I not clear enough last time when we saw each other face to face? You shouldn't have dared try to get your hands on my money! " Samantha raised her finger, with the sharp nail almost touching Charlie's cheek " Do you really think that any judge in the world will think that a spoiled brat like you has more right to that fortune than I, who had to put up with that old idiot for ten endless years? she spat angrily.
“ If you're so sure you're going to win this lawsuit, then why are you so desperate for this hearing not to happen? “ Charlie smiled, giving her a victorious grin as she saw her stepmother's expression pale, if only just a little “Are you really so sure you're going? Or is it that you are afraid that the judge will think that the will really wasn't divided fairly?
" Fear? Oh, honey, believe me, you're the one who should be scared... " It was Samantha's turn to narrow her eyes, with a sharp gleam in that ice blue color " You're being so brave and being so insistent on getting some money that it's not yours, that you haven't even stopped to think about what might happen to those precious flea bags and other little friends you have in that shack where you work for free, right?
" What are you talking about? “ Charlie boiled “ Don't you dare open your mouth to say anything about the shelter! You don't have the right to...
“Oh, but of course I have every right. “ Samantha interrupted her, imposing “ After all, soon he will belong to me.
" What...? “She gasped, freezing in place, barely able to believe what she had just heard “Are you… Are you the person who is looking to buy our land?
“First of all, none of that over there is “yours”, but the bank's. “ her ex-stepmother pointed out, spitefully “ And, well, now that I own most of your father's possessions, I thought it would be a good idea to start diversifying my investments. So, as your actions over the last few months have made me pay more and more attention to that little place you love so much, I started thinking about what it was that made it so special... " Samantha said, making Charlie stay longer and longer. horrified every second “ So when I found out it was for sale because you weren't even competent enough to pay your debts, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me.
“You…” Charlie gasped, smothered by her own rage “You… how dare you…
“ If I were you, I would be careful how you talk to the future owner of that land. “ Samantha winked, her tone falsely sweet “ You don't want me to end up feeling offended and end up filing a lawsuit for moral damages against you and your other bankrupt colleagues, for disrespecting me just because I bought land that now belongs only to the bank , it is not?
“ You're the most depressing being I've ever met…” she snarled, angrily “But know that your plan won't work! Morgan has already assured me that he will outbid you and save the shelter...
To Charlie's utter shock, however, Samantha just threw back her head and began to laugh loudly and heartily, as if she had never had more fun in her entire life.
“Oh, and you think I'm not counting on that? “ Samantha grinned, looking at Charlie as if he were nothing more than a vermin she could easily crush under her shoes. “Isn't that what he always does, Charlotte, honey? Solve your problems and clean up your mess for you? Instead of Mrs. Sullivan, you should refer to yourself as Stra. Sullivan... " she measured her up and down, making Charlie have to fight that feeling of being inferior " After all, you are much more his spoiled and troublesome little daughter than anything else, aren't you? When you didn't want me and your father not to punish you, you would run to him, for Morgan to protect you. When you couldn't accept losing that inheritance, you married him, so he could sort everything out for you. And now you're going to waste him a sea of money buying this land, paying for this useless will process, and even paying for his college..." Samantha went on and on and Charlie couldn't even find her own voice to ask how the hell she knew about her veterinary course “ Do you understand, Charlotte? You may have left that mansion, but you're still the same irresponsible little girl who lives causing problems for everyone wherever you go. And I think it's so adorable how you seem to genuinely believe you can live your whole life with Morgan, enjoying everything he gives you, never having to really try, sure he'll never mind how late you are. his life and it only brings him a headache... But, be honest, Charlotte... " Narrowing her eyes, Samantha tilted her head towards Charlie, leaving their faces inches apart " Do you really think he'll put up with it? all this forever? Never stopped to think that his patience is not infinite? Never stopped to ask yourself how long will he keep putting up with you?
Frozen where she was, Charlie tried to open her mouth to answer those questions, but she couldn't. After almost 2 months away from Samantha, she had almost forgotten how good that woman was at discovering and reaching people's weaknesses, especially hers, who didn't know how to disguise her feelings. Distressed, she began to struggle to try to respond or at the very least run away, but Samantha's words, sharp as razors, were opening up old wounds in her mind and bringing back old insecurities that made it impossible for her to do anything but would suffer.
" Samantha! “ the scream, mixed with snarl, of Morgan filled the waiting room suddenly, causing both of them to turn to see him walking out the door of his office, with Hiroshi on his heels, and looking possessed by the sight of Samantha “Stay away from my wife!
Walking faster than either of them could move, Morgan placed himself between them, shielding Charlie with his broad body, while his assistant walked over to Samantha, talking to her in a cold voice, a far cry from the friendly tone. that he had used with Charlie not long ago.
“ Mrs. Manson, the law firm representing us has made it very clear that any contact she wishes to make with Mr. Sullivan was to be done wholly and exclusively through his and his attorneys. “ Hiroshi complained, with total contempt for Samantha “ That's why I suggest you leave willingly, if you don't want me to call security!
" Well ... " Samantha leaned her body to the side, until she managed to meet Charlie's gaze behind Morgan's body " Can't I talk a little more with my dear little daughter ...
“ If you come near me one more time, Samantha, I swear I will...! " Morgan seemed to be ready to attack Samantha, completely enraged, but Charlie stopped him, putting his arms around her waist, not because he wanted to prevent something from happening to that woman, but because he didn't want him to walk away from her " What happened ? “ he asked, his formerly furious expression becoming deeply concerned, as he turned to hug her “Why are you like that…? Did she say anything to you...?
“Well, I had some business with Mr. Sullivan, but I see he's busy with his dear little wife... " Samantha mocked, seeming to be talking to Hiroshi " I'll be back another time then. Have a good day.
“You better never appear in front of me again, Samantha, or I promise you'll be sorry! " Morgan promised throwing knives at her with his eyes, even though Samantha had already turned her back on them and was walking calmly to the elevator " And you, Hiroshi, go talk to the receptionist who let you in right now and reinforce the security that she is not authorized to enter this building under any circumstances. “ he ordered, starting to guide Charlie to the office “ In addition, also cancel all the appointments I would have for this afternoon and don't allow anyone else to come near my office until I say otherwise.
“Understood, Mr. Sullivan! “ Hiroshi nodded solemnly and the last thing Charlie saw was his figure taking the elevator that was next to the one Samantha had used, before Morgan walked with her into his office.
“It's okay now, darling…” he promised, going to sit with her on the nearby couch and wrapping his arms protectively around her once he'd snuggled her into his lap, “I'm here… I'm not. I know what happened, but she won't harm you, I swear... I would never allow...