"I'm just giving you a heads-up-Henrietta's almost here," Alexander said, expression tightening, voice flat.

Samantha didn't even pause, cool as ever. "Great. My job's done then. Maybe worry about yourself first." She tossed that back smoothly while arranging her mixed salad on a plate. Waving at Lucas, she added, "Hey, um... you, help take this out, would ya?"

Over the past five days, Ethan had stuffed her brain with all the 'key players' in Alexander's life-including his shadow, Lucas-but honestly, Samantha hadn't bothered memorizing any of them.

"Uh, Mrs. Perkins? It's Lucas," he replied, looking a bit stunned, like he wasn't sure if she was joking or legit forgot him.

"Of course I know you're Lucas," Samantha shrugged, totally unfazed. "But your name's kinda twisty. Can't expect me to remember it every single time, right?" She smiled, casual enough to squash any suspicion he had.

Lucas looked like he'd just eaten a lemon. Back when she first married Alexander, she used to speak to him all polite, always calling him Mr. Bennett. Now? She didn't even bother with names.

Women... seriously unpredictable. Best not mess with her.

Honestly though, he kinda respected the new her. Way tougher than before. At least she wasn't the same woman who used to cry behind closed doors when things got rough.

Outside, a sleek Bentley pulled up.

"Mom," Alexander said gently, lifting a faint smile as he helped Henrietta-a regal woman, decked out in designer wear and no-nonsense authority-out of the car.

Henrietta gave a curt nod, her sharp eyes locking on Samantha with a frown. "Samantha, are you pregnant or something? Why didn't you come help me out?"

Samantha gave a slight inner eye-roll. What is this-Game of Thrones? Somebody gunning for a throne here?

Still, she walked over with a fake smile and lightly took Henrietta's arm, guiding her inside with textbook manners.

"When I did the count, today, tomorrow, and the day after should be your optimal days. I had Mr. Carson hand you the test strips. Did you use them?"

Mr. Carson was Perkins family's butler.

Henrietta gave zero care to the table full of dishes. Her voice was ice, straight to the point.

"Test strips?" Samantha frowned, wondering what this new level boss was on about. Ethan never mentioned anything about having to pee on things for the job. What the heck?

"Ovulation tests, girl!" Henrietta snapped, raising her voice. The anger in her tone was uncannily similar to Alexander. "I've had someone track your cycle. This is the key window!"

Wait, what?

Samantha blinked, stunned. Was this real? People actually talked about periods and ovulation at the dinner table in this house?

The corners of her brows twitched. She hadn't even had a boyfriend before this-now she was getting grilled over fertility schedules? Wild.

"Caitlin, don't tell me you've been slacking and didn't test at all?" Henrietta's stare sharpened like a blade, tone loaded with judgment.

When Samantha didn't rush to explain, Henrietta slammed the hot towel she'd been holding onto the table. Her voice came down hard.

"Don't forget why you're in this house, Caitlin! If the Perkins family hadn't invested, your stepfather's company would've died a long time ago! You won't give us an heir, but your family keeps coming with their hands out? Unbelievable!"

Samantha let out a soft breath.

Oh wow. The audacity.That old hag really had the nerve to say that in front of everyone-like she never saw my sister as family, more like some baby-making machine!

Samantha let out a soft chuckle, voice turning cool. "You said it yourself-he's my stepfather, not even blood-related. So why should I be the one popping out babies for the Perkins family just because he needs money?"

"You..." Henrietta clearly wasn't expecting the usually docile Caitlin to fight back. Her face turned shades of red and purple as she snapped, "Caitlin, are you and your father scheming together to milk us dry?"

Unbothered, Samantha calmly sliced a bit of lamb and popped it into her mouth, chewing slowly as she said, "Come on, with how sharp you are, you think I could fool you, really? And even if you're mad at me, what's the point? I can't get pregnant by myself, can I?"

Henrietta's eyes widened, her face twisting with rage. "What-what are you implying?"

Samantha raised her brows, playing up the surprise. "No way, you didn't hear about that? Everyone knows Alexander isn't into women. He won't touch me. What am I supposed to do?"

"Caitlin!" Henrietta nearly choked in her fury. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up angrily. "Watch your mouth! If word gets out, how's the family supposed to hold its head up? Alexander! Alexander! Is this how you let her act at home?"

Henrietta was fuming because Samantha had hit a nerve.

All those rumors about Alexander not being into girls? Yeah, they'd been going around forever. She knew the talk, but she just didn't want to believe it.

It was the unspoken thing in the Perkins family-never touched. Alexander had never had a girlfriend. Everyone kinda knew what was up.

Henrietta had been bitter about it for ages. She couldn't do a thing about her son, so she took it all out on Caitlin.

And now, with Samantha throwing it out so casually in front of everyone, it felt like confirmation. Henrietta's face flushed then went pale. "Say one more word and I'll make sure someone shuts that mouth of yours for good!"

But Samantha wasn't backing down. She gave a smirk that dripped with sarcasm. "Me, lying? No way. You track my cycle every month-you even know my ovulation days better than I do. Everything's in place, except the final step won't show up. Can't blame me for that, right?"

Henrietta looked like she'd been struck by lightning. She collapsed onto her chair, slapping the table and screaming.

"Alexander! Are you trying to kill me? If you don't like this woman, then divorce her and find someone new. There are plenty of women out there, and I'll help you marry whichever one you want. But you can't do this to your mother! Look at your brother now, and then you-how's a mother supposed to live like this?!"

Boom. Direct hit.

Samantha's lips curled just slightly, her smile so faint it almost wasn't there. Getting under their skin was an art-and she nailed it.

Push me, and I'll drag you down for sure.

The air was thick with tension-nobody dared breathe too loud.

It was like Mrs. Perkins had just thrown a grenade at the dinner table. Chaos was guaranteed.

Alexander watched his mother lose it, his arms crossed, brows slightly knit.

Was she seriously trying to bring him into this now? Bold move.

Lucas glanced at his boss's stony face, heart sinking a little as he looked toward Samantha, already worried for her.

To his surprise, she was still casually nibbling on her lamb chop, like nothing had happened-mouth curved into the faintest smile. Lucas felt chills creep down his spine.

She must've just come back from vacation-only someone fueled by beachside margaritas and main-character energy could be this fearless today.

"Mom, I'm moving back to the villa starting tonight."

Alexander didn't say a word until Henrietta had finished venting. Then he stood and gently helped her to the couch. "Your health matters most. If you're not feeling well, head home and rest."

"Back to the villa? Are you serious, Alexander? That woman is manipulative and dangerous! She plotted with the Jordans to scam us, and you still want to stay with her?" Henrietta had just calmed down when her son's indifferent attitude lit the fire again-her lips trembled in fury.

Samantha, sitting at the dining table, just kept eating, like their shouting match had nothing to do with her. She was in this house under her sister's name for one reason-to make sure those who'd hurt Caitlin paid the price. Even if she ended up divorcing Alexander, she'd make sure the Perkins family was flipped upside down before walking away.

Alexander looked at Samantha, who remained totally unfazed, and a subtle smirk tugged at his lips. "I'll handle her."

Henrietta's eyes widened. She was caught off guard by her son's tone. "You're defending her now? Since when? I thought you couldn't stand her!"

"Lucas, take Mom home. And let my brother know-I'm not dropping by tonight," Alexander ordered calmly, ignoring his mother's accusations.

Mixed with frustration and confusion, Henrietta was escorted out, and the silence that followed in the villa felt suffocating.

Samantha finished off her red wine and stood to leave.

"Stop right there." Alexander's voice came from the couch-cold and low.

She paused, turned to look at him with unbothered eyes, but her posture subtly shifted, on alert.

His gaze darkened, every bit of him radiating the kind of intensity that made it feel like he could crush her with it.

"I've never kept you here against your will. If you hated being in this house so much, why come back?"

She shot him a sarcastic smile. "Guess I was worried your lives were getting too peaceful. Figured I should stick around and let you all keep belittling and tormenting me."

That just fueled his rage more. He reached out, grabbed her chin, locking eyes with her like he was peering into her soul. "Tell me the truth."

"The truth? Funny," Samantha said flatly, her tone sharp. "None of you ever treated me honestly. Now you want truth?"

She shoved his hand away and raised her chin, eyes clear and defiant.

"Caitlin, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Watching her stand there like that, so stubborn and proud-it hit Alexander, and he didn't know why it got to him like that.

She scoffed, voice dripping with mockery. "You all pushed me to the edge, then have the nerve to ask why I snapped?"

He stared at her as she continued with a steady voice, "Didn't you want the truth? Fine. The old Caitlin? You all drove her to her death. The person in front of you now-you can't handle her."

His gaze flickered.

There was something wild and fearless in her eyes-bright, beautiful, and totally untamed. For the first time in years, Alexander felt like something had slipped out of his control.

He-the almighty CEO of the Perkins Group in Lichester, with companies across the globe, an empire at his feet. Everyone obeyed him. Always.

No one dared step out of line. No one except her.

And this woman-Samantha-was the only person who'd ever made him feel powerless.

That feeling? It drove him insane.

His jaw clenched as anger flickered across his face. In a flash, he grabbed her by the arm and flung her onto the couch. His voice, cold as ice, cut through the air. "All of you-out."

Not even ten seconds later, every servant had vanished, leaving just the two of them staring each other down.Alexander leaned down, towering over Samantha. His sharp features were set in an icy chill, eyes dark and unreadable.

"Let go," Samantha said coldly.

As she reached out to push him away, he grabbed her arm tightly.

She glared at him, stunning face full of defiance. "What are you trying to pull, Alexander?"

His voice was cold and low, dripping with sarcasm. "Telling my mother I'm not interested in women? Really played it clean. Pissed her off completely. Pretty clever of you."

"If I wasn't clever, I'd have been crushed by you people long ago," Samantha scoffed, her tone full of disdain.

Her scorn made him frown hard. Alexander wasn't used to being looked down on-he was the one who did the dismissing, not the other way around.

"Alright then. Since you're so eager to tell everyone I won't touch you, I might as well prove you wrong. Can't have you going around saying I'm not interested in women."

His gaze turned sharp and in the next second, he pushed closer, pinning her arms and crushing his lips onto hers. There was no room for resistance.

But then-he met those eyes.

"You bastard, Alexander!"

Her eyes, flushed red with rage, were full of pure hate.

His body froze for a split second, then he forced himself to steady his breathing.

"Let go of me." The command was ice-cold as it came from her lips, her face twisted in disgust.

He had stepped in thinking he was taking control, that he was turning things around.

For him, women were never a problem to conquer.

But the way she looked at him, like she couldn't stand to be near him-somehow, that cut deeper than expected.

Caught off guard, he let go, and Samantha shot straight up the stairs.

Only when the door slammed shut with a bang did she finally exhale, practically cursing Alexander a thousand times in her head. That disgusting jerk. Total psycho.

She angrily stripped off her clothes, heading for the shower. Her phone lit up-a WhatsApp message from Ethan.

"Are you free? I'm outside."

Her eyes narrowed. Her fingers flew across the screen. "Sure. Coming."

It was her first day back at the Perkins' place and Ethan already messaged her-was there something he forgot to tell her?

Still puzzling it over, she opened the wardrobe and randomly pulled out one of Caitlin's outfits.

Caitlin always leaned toward muted tones-especially teal. Aside from the basic black and white, almost all her clothes were loose-fitting cotton-linen, hardly anything that hugged the waist.

Both sisters had studied fashion design, but Caitlin's aesthetic leaned soft, pastoral, almost dreamy. Samantha, on the other hand, preferred bold, curve-hugging styles that made a statement.

Their personalities were just as different.

By the time she headed downstairs, Alexander had left. She walked straight out of the house toward a Rolls-Royce parked a little ways off. The second she got in, Ethan looked stunned.

"Uncle Ethan, what's up?" she asked.

He didn't speak at first, just stared at her, gaze softening. Then he reached out, almost brushing her cheek.

Samantha instantly leaned back, raising a hand to block his. Her brows furrowed. "You're thinking about Caitlin, huh?"

Ethan flinched and quickly retracted his hand, clearly uncomfortable with his moment of weakness. "Sorry. That teal dress... it was Caitlin's favorite. She said wearing clothes she designed made her feel at ease. No matter how upset she was, they always made her feel better."

"Got it. I won't wear it again," Samantha said coolly.

Ethan felt a sudden, inexplicable ache in his chest.

"Think you can handle it over at the Perkins place?" Ethan asked while driving, clearly trying to break the awkward silence.

"It's not exactly hard. I deal with whatever comes my way," Samantha replied flatly, eyes calm and unreadable. "People take advantage when you seem easy to push around. Once they realize you're not that type, they'll back off."

Ethan's hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel. He inhaled deeply before saying, "You really aren't like Caitlin. From the moment you stepped into that house today... I've been wondering whether bringing you back, telling you everything, even letting you take Caitlin's place-was it a mistake?"

"It wasn't your decision alone. I made that choice, too," Samantha turned to look out the window. The streetlights flickered past her blank, distant face.

Ethan looked pale, his voice low and filled with pain. "If Caitlin's watching from above, she's probably blaming me for sending you into the same hell she suffered in."

Sharp determination flashed in Samantha's eyes. "For Caitlin, that house was a cage. For me... it's just enemy territory. If using the Perkins family gives me an edge to destroy those jerks who hurt her, and to take down Thomas and the Jordans who sold her out, then so be it."

Then she suddenly turned, a cold sneer on her lips. "Ethan, is that what really bothers you? That going after Thomas means going after the Jordan Empire, and now you're worried it'll cost you something?"

"SCREEEEE-"

The Rolls-Royce skidded to a stop by the curb. Ethan gripped the wheel tightly, veins bulging, jaw clenched like he was holding something back.

His voice came out low and bitter a few seconds later. "Thomas grabbed all the power for himself, kicking the rest of the family out of the company. I could've let that go. But he... sold Caitlin to a man who didn't even care for women. From the moment she married into that house, I swore I'd never forgive him."

Samantha looked at him coldly. "So why'd you even ask me to meet you today?"

"Well... here's the thing. That design collection Caitlin did-the one they stole-it just won an award overseas. I heard one of the top four companies in Lichester, the Rivers Corporation, is considering investing in her old company," Ethan explained, frustration mixed with regret in his eyes.

"The Rivers Corporation?" Samantha repeated quietly. "They want in on Caitlin's company?"

"Yeah. They started in fashion. Clothes still make up almost 40% of their business. A business associate told me the one managing their fashion line is Sophia Rivers, the only daughter of the Rivers family. After Caitlin's stolen designs won that award, she took notice and now wants to invest."

"That company's already in the hands of those backstabbing creeps," Ethan said with fury, slamming the steering wheel with his fist. "Caitlin worked her ass off to get it off the ground, only to be tricked and robbed."

He only found out much later, after starting his own trade company abroad, buried in non-stop work. It wasn't until he got Samantha's call-sobbing and barely holding it together-that he realized how badly Caitlin had been betrayed.

By the time Thomas had "sold" Caitlin off to the Perkins family... it was already too late.

When Ethan rushed back to stop everything, nothing could be done.

Caitlin was already a ghost of her former self-withdrawn, gloomy, and completely checked out, living in the Perkins household like she no longer cared if she was even alive.Ethan used to think she'd eventually get through those darkest days. He was even ready to give up his overseas job just to stay by her side. But then... the accident happened.

Caitlin was gone. That scumbag who played her? He stole her designs, won a huge award, took over her company, and now he's even about to land a giant investment deal. Ethan was losing his mind over it, but there was nothing he could do to stop any of it.

"Send me their names and photos. I want all of it." Samantha's voice was cold as ice, her stunning face cast in flickering shadows, making her look dangerously unreadable.

"Samantha, I'm really torn. I don't know if bringing you back was the right call or a huge mistake. But... I just can't help but want you to take her place and make them all pay for what they did to Caitlin!" Ethan's brows were tightly furrowed, his face clouded with guilt and pain.

Samantha glanced at him, her profile under the dim lights looking ethereal.

Her eyes were sharp and chilling. She didn't pull her punches. "Ethan, do you even realize? Your cowardice played a part in my sister's death too. You loved her, didn't you? But you stayed silent-that's your first mistake. Then you ran off to another country so you wouldn't have to face her pain-that's two. And the last straw? When she was hurting the most, you couldn't even take her away-that's your biggest failure!"

"She gave you so many chances, and every time, you blew it because you were scared. The only thing you did right was bringing me back and telling me the truth, so I can do what you never could-get revenge for her."

Her words cut Ethan like knives. He looked like he'd been punched in the gut, his whole body twisted in pain. He couldn't even defend himself. He muttered numbly, "Caitlin didn't love me..."

Samantha didn't care how much this hurt him. Her next words were straight salt in his wounds.

"She didn't love you, but called you every time she broke down? Didn't love you, but after you left, dated some loser just to fill that gap? Didn't love you, but told you all about the cold treatment and discrimination from the Perkins family? She was screaming for help, begging you to notice her pain and take her away-and you ignored it all.

"You could've saved her. Given her something good. But instead, you let her down again and again. Honestly, how are you any different from the guy who fooled her?"

Ethan froze. Color drained from his face till it was ghostly pale.

Samantha didn't say another word. She opened the door and stepped out, leaving Ethan drowning in his own misery.

She walked aimlessly through the streets, the pain for her sister weighing heavy on her chest. She didn't stop until she found herself in front of a shopping mall, filled with massive ads for global fashion brands. Only then did her mood ease just a little.

Samantha had ongoing partnerships with many of these brands. Several product lines were her work.

She strolled into a high-end department store, never noticing the word "Perkins" in the store name.

Inside a niche boutique, a "Silent Thread" collection piece caught her eye-she had designed it herself. It was displayed front and center. She picked out a sleek outfit with powerful lines, ready to change out of her sister's clothes and keep them safe.

Caitlin's outfit might've been gorgeous and soft, but it was never Samantha's style. She had never forced herself into anything she didn't like. If it wasn't her thing, she just wouldn't wear it-even if it looked amazing.

When she stepped out of the fitting room, the transformation was nearly shocking. Her tall frame and graceful curves stood out even more in the fresh, tailored outfit.

Earlier, with Caitlin's forest-style linen dress, she looked like a gentle, quiet girl. But now, staging in front of the mirror, her look screamed sharp, modern confidence. She swept up her long hair into a neat bun, and suddenly, a fierce and classy businesswoman stared back at her.

"I'll take this outfit."

Out of nowhere, a cocky voice sounded behind her.