Chapter 013

13.

“Bianca, what have you done?” Mr. Sullivan snapped at her. Bianca had returned home and told him how unsuccessful her getting Mrs. Thompson's support was. He couldn't help the anger he felt at that moment.

“Dad, it wasn't my fault. Samantha already got there before I did. I have no idea what she did, but Mrs. Thompson bluntly told me that she wasn't going to give anybody else a chance.” Bianca explained, the frustration evident on her face.

Mr. Sullivan couldn't believe how incompetent Bianca was. He had sent her on several errands, but she had always returned with one excuse or another. How was he going to put the company in her hands when she couldn't even do anything right?

“What do you want us to do now that you have been unable to get Mrs. Thompson's support? That woman would have been our ticket out of the hands of the Salvadors. If you had brought Mrs. Thompson to partner with us, we would have been able to move away from the Salvadors and they won't have to become our shareholders anymore. Why are you making it look like those people are controlling us, huh?” he complained, his hands running through his hair in sheer annoyance.

“I'm sorry, Dad. I promise I'll fix everything. It's not my fault that Samantha is always ahead of me. She keeps taking everything away from me.”

“Then take it back!” he yelled, and Bianca flinched. “For years, we've been under them. They keep succeeding and moving forward while we remain stagnant here. We are even indebted to them and if care is not taken, they will take over our company, and we will have no say!”

“No!” Bianca suddenly exclaimed. She wasn't going to let something like that happen. How was she going to face her friends and the world when it got out that their company would be given to the Salvadors? She knew Samantha would be glad to do that, but she wasn't going to sit and just watch.

Mr. Sullivan sighed in frustration. “You are our only hope now, Bianca. You are not doing enough. You need to step up your game if you want to take control of this company. Your mother and I didn't work hard to build this empire just to have it handed over to the Salvadors. You need to prove yourself, and fast,” Mr. Sullivan said, his voice stern but laced with a hint of desperation.

Bianca nodded, feeling determined. She knew she had to do something, but what? Samantha seemed to always be one step ahead, and Bianca couldn't help but feel like she was in a constant game of catch-up.

“I'll try, Dad. I promise. But what can I do? Samantha has already won over Mrs. Thompson, and I don't know how to compete with that,” Bianca said, suddenly feeling hopeless.

Mr. Sullivan's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. “You'll figure it out, Bianca. You're a Sullivan, after all. We don't give up easily. And I'll tell you one thing — I'm not going to let Samantha Salvador take control of this company without a fight. We'll find a way to take her down, together.”

Bianca nodded, feeling a surge of determination coursing through her veins. This wasn't a time to be weak or cower in fear. Samantha might be intimidating, but she was going to show Samantha that she wasn't to be underestimated. And she was going to make sure that the Sullivans remained in control of their company, no matter what it took.

*****

THE SALVADOR'S MANSION

Samantha was busy on her laptop, when Linda rushed into the room with a big smile on her face. “Sam, tomorrow night is the handing over of the company to you. Why are you just sitting here and not picking out dresses?”

“You're my assistant, Linda. Shouldn't that be your job?” Samantha questioned lazily.

Linda rolled her eyes and brought out her phone. “Of course, and I did it pretty well. You're going to turn heads tomorrow night, so you need to be corporate but sassy,” she winked at Samantha, who only rolled her eyes. Linda didn't mind and was super excited to show Samantha the dresses she found. “I browsed through several designer collections and found some stunning pieces. Let me show you,” Linda beamed, scrolling through her phone. She showed Samantha a few dresses, and Samantha couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

“Linda, these are beautiful, but I'm not sure if they're corporate enough for the handing over. Everyone will be there, and all eyes will be on me. Do you want them to mock me?” she sighed.

Linda chuckled. “Trust me, Sam. You'll be making a statement. And who says corporate has to be boring? You're the new face of the company, after all. You need to stand out.”

Samantha nodded, considering Linda's words. She did want to make a statement and show everyone that the company was in safe hands. This time, she was going to do things her way. There has to be a difference between her father, Ray Salvador and her, Samantha Salvador. She wanted to leave a mark that would be remembered for a very long time.

“Okay, fine. Which one do you think I should wear?” she asked, and Linda squealed in excitement.

“I knew you'd see it my way! Let me show you my favorite one,” she said, pulling up a stunning black dress with a daring cutout.

Samantha's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but smile. “That's the one,” she said, and Linda cheered. It was finally happening. She had always known Samantha to be a reserved lady, who minded her business and hated stepping on others toes. Even at that, she was business minded and after Samantha left, she was a bit scared that the company would go downhill because all hope seemed lost since Estella was a drug addict, and it seemed she was the only person left.

She was glad that Samantha came back, and was happier that she came back a changed person.

“I'll make sure it's ready for you tomorrow night. You're going to slay, Sam!” Linda babbled and rushed out of the room, causing Samantha to chuckle.

She stared at her laptop screen and sucked in a breath as she encouraged herself. “You can do this, Sam.”