Chapter 14

Ever since then, under Samantha's instructions, the staff at home gradually stopped caring about the two children. Not only did no one take them to school anymore, but even their daily meals were no longer specially prepared for them. They could only eat whatever was left after Samantha finished her meal. As the scorching summer sun baked the city, the air conditioners in the Faron family villa buzzed continuously. Yannick and Yvonne lay on the carpet in the game room, building blocks as they stole glances at Samantha, who was testing lipsticks in front of her vanity mirror. Yvonne asked timidly, "Aunt Sam, could we go get some ice cream? You promised…" Last week, Leonard had bought Samantha some new jewelry. In a flash of good mood, she kicked at the two children who were on the floor and said that she would take them out for ice cream later. But now, without even turning her head around, Samantha snapped, "Can't you see I'm busy?" Yannick mustered up his courage and said sof