Chapter 77: Chapter 77

“If you want advice, you better get off my land right now. “ Samantha said, looking around the office with an expression of pure disdain “I have a lot to do on my newest investment and I don't want any filthy animals getting in the way...

Still with her body totally paralyzed by horror, Charlie could only stare at her former stepmother, unable to even blink, which seemed to be making Samantha immensely satisfied. Behind her, Jack and Vivian remained impassive, regarding the woman before them with pure contempt, but not looking as affected as Charlie felt.

“ Isn't it a little unethical to come up to us and ask us to leave immediately, when you've just given us the news of the purchase? Vivian asked, her voice surprisingly cool and controlled.

“ I think you still don't understand what's going on here, my dear... “ Samantha laughed, approaching the three with an amused smile “ This place doesn't belong to you anymore. And if I want, I can even have my lawyers fine you for trespassing on private property. Which, between us, I don't think would be good for someone who already has so much accumulated debt, would it? " she winked at Vivian, mocking " Or maybe you should ask your dear little friend for help next time... " Samantha waved in Charlie's direction, finally forcing her to react, due to the intense wave of hatred that the ran through “ After all, she needs to do something to help, different from today, right?

“Don't talk to her like that! Jack intervened, just as Charlie was about to draw air to speak.

“Oh, lo and behold! “ Samantha put her finger under her chin, seeming very interested in Jack's reaction “ Does your husband know that you are this close with the men at your work? I wonder what he would say if he could see his dear little wife now…" she laughed, evilly “Looks like our little Charlotte isn't that innocent after all, is it…?

“That's enough, Samantha! “ Charlie exclaimed, going to place himself between her and Vivian, distraught “Leave them and the shelter alone! This is between you and me!

" On the contrary. That's between the bank and an irresponsible mob of debtors, nothing more. “ Samantha shrugged “ I'm just exercising my right to invest my money as I see fit, especially buying land that went up for auction for perfectly legal reasons...

“ And of course, a plot of land poorly located in a humble neighborhood is a great investment option for a millionaire like you, isn't it? “ Vivian questioned her, dismissively.

“I don't have to justify my decisions to people like you who obviously don't understand anything about money. “ Samantha threw him a withering look, but that didn't even make Vivian flinch.

“Enough of the cynicism, Samantha! I know very well why you did it! “ Charlie snapped, anguished “Did you really have to stoop that low to get back at me for filing that lawsuit? Really can't you see how many innocent people and animals you're going to harm by doing this? We are important to this neighborhood and this community! This isn't just about me! You will leave more than 70 animals with nowhere to go...

“ I don't know what you're talking about…” Samantha interrupted her, staring at her own nails, impeccably covered in pink nail polish, calmly “The world doesn't revolve around you, Charlotte. As I said, this is purely a business-based decision. And while we're on the subject, don't be so dramatic. “ she scoffed, rolling her eyes “ Look at this little rotten place. Do you really want me to believe that this shack was of any importance? Oh, please…” Tilting her face towards Charlie, she broke into a wide smile, full of perverse satisfaction, “And don't be so defeatist, honey. I'm sure you'll find another flea-infested little place soon. As for the animals, there will always be streets and sewers for them to roam while they wait for you. Although, with the ability you seem to have with money, perhaps it would be better for them to go live under the bridge at once. " Samantha laughed " But if you want advice, please keep mortgaging properties you can't afford. They are much cheaper when the bank puts them up for auction and that makes the work of people with a good commercial sense, like me, much easier.

“ Samantha…” Charlie swallowed hard, feeling her throat close almost to the point of not breathing “Listen, I don't care about my dad's money! Want to keep it all? You can stay! I'll give up on that lawsuit and everything else you want, I swear… But…” she gasped, not wanting to give Samantha the satisfaction of crying in front of her “Just… Leave the shelter alone ... Please... " Charlie completed, with a fragile and low voice, almost brittle, feeling crushed by that terrible feeling of impotence" I do what you want...

“Oh, my dear…” Samantha consoled her with false sweetness, lifting her hand to caress her cheek with her nail, as if she were a tiger ready to rip apart its prey “Don't you see? “Bending her head towards Charlie's, she murmured into his ear with pure delight, “You're going to do whatever I want, honey, no matter what. You're going to lose this crappy little place you love so much, you're going to lose the money you were trying to steal from me, and you're going to lose the right to be called Mrs. Sullivan... And you're going to lose all of this to me. “ Samantha pulled back a little, to face her with a smile from ear to ear “ But, if you want to keep begging, go ahead, please. I'm loving it.

“Get away from her! “Vivian snarled, going to place herself between the two of them, while Charlie remained where she was, too distraught to be able to move.

“On the contrary, I think the most correct thing would be for you to move away. “ Samantha faced Vivian, full of superiority “ Maybe you thought I was kidding, but I'm not. Either you get off my property immediately or I'll have to call the police to get you out...

“No, Samantha. You won't do any of that.

At the sound of Morgan's voice, everyone turned towards the door, where he was entering, accompanied by Hiroshi and an elderly man, who looked nervous and was holding a pile of papers. And Charlie had to do his best not to give in to the urge to jump into her arms and start crying. Instead, she stayed where she was, watching him approach, alongside the other two men, while Samantha's face paled a little, though she looked like she was trying to hide it.

“I knew I'd find you here, Samantha. “ Morgan glared at the woman, as if she were looking at the plague. “ As I'd guessed, you don't seem to have taken seriously my warning to stay away from Charlie and all that concerns her.

“Oh, you came to play the knight in silver armor and save your sweet little wife? “ Samantha sneered, with a venomous smile “ I'm sorry to disappoint you, Morgan, but everything you do will be useless. This property has since been formally sold and is now all mine! “ she assured, victorious.

“Uh... Actually, Ms. Manson... " the gentleman who was next to Morgan took the floor, clearly nervous " Allow me to clear up this little confusion. I'm Daniel O'Brien, the bank manager who called you earlier, informing you of the completion of this land we're on now...

“ Terrific! “ Samantha interrupted him, celebrating “ Thanks for bringing the bank representative to me in person, Morgan, honey. So my work here will be much easier.

“Well… I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you've been the victim of a misunderstanding…” Mr. O'Brien smiled, more nervous than ever, and shivering when Samantha turned to face him, her eyes murderous. with the news they hung up before I could fully explain the situation. “ discreetly loosening the collar of his shirt, he continued “ As I had told you a few days ago, when you presented us with your purchase proposal, the land would still be for sale for some time, in case other interested parties appear. And, well... What happened is another proposal came along.

" What you mean? Charlie asked, feeling a seed of hope start to blossom inside her, while Samantha was starting to turn red with anger.

“This morning, we received the excellent proposal from Mr. Sullivan. “ the bank manager explained, making Charlie's heart flutter “ I admit it was a little sudden, but I spoke to my superiors and it was unanimously decided that it would be more advantageous for all parties to sell the land to him. But don't worry, Mrs. Manson. We have already summoned a real estate agent who will exclusively take care of finding a new property to be yours, among the many that we have available for auction...

“Are you saying you sold what should be mine to him?! “ Samantha snarled, furious, making the man flinch.

“ W-well... With all due respect, it wasn't a done deal yet and Mr. Sullivan far outperformed you on monetary matters, so... I mean, I think a woman like you can understand why we made that decision, no, Mrs. Manson? “Mr. O'Brien gave a shaky smile, "It's nothing personal, it was just business. I can assure you that our bank never intended to disrespect you...

" You fool! “ Samantha snapped, pointing a finger at the old man, making him shut up immediately “ You better stop this small talk right now, if you don't want me to sue you, what I doubt that was one of the biggest reasons, but I bet you hated seeing me get everything you ever wanted, didn't you? It must have been very frustrating for you to have to see that I, the girl you looked down on and always made a point of saying was ugly and unattractive, achieved your life goal without the slightest effort. Husband, life, money...

“So you admit it? “ Samantha glared at her, satisfied.

“That I wanted the same thing as you? Never. “ she denied, solemn “Don't be fooled into thinking we look alike, Samantha. You could never understand why I married Morgan, because it has nothing to do with greed or status. “ Charlie smiled at her husband, wishing she could say she loved him right then and there, but not because she knew the time wasn't right “ And, if you insist on wanting to covet all that's mine, and your sick mind made you believe that should be yours, so go for it. Because I won't give up easily either. “ She assured, her voice cutting edge “ You may not believe what I say, but I really don't care about the money. But after today, I'm going to continue that process of contesting the division of the inheritance until the last consequences, so that you pay for what you tried to do to one of the places I love most in the world.

“How lovely, Charlotte…” Samantha grunted, bitterly “As if one insignificant little thing could beat me…

“Oh, I just won, have you forgotten? “ Charlie shrugged, taking deep satisfaction as she saw the fury turn her former stepmother's face as red as blood. “I'm sure it won't be that hard to do again.

“ We'll see, my dear… We'll see… “ Samantha snarled, turning her back on her in the next moment, while talking to her lawyers “ Come on, you incompetents! I want to get out of this disgusting place before I get scabies or something!