Chapter 7

"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.