Chapter 024

24.

"Excuse me?" Samantha couldn't believe what this lady just blurted out from her mouth. "For the record, Dad just traveled, he isn't dad, and again, he never asked you to be in charge of anything. We aren't kids."

Estella glared at Samantha. "And who asked you to talk? It's not like you're the first daughter of the house or are you?"

"I might not be the first daughter of the house, but I won't be disrespected." Samantha replied.

Estella laughed. "Look who is talking about respect? Do you think you're a big shot now because Dad made you CEO of the company? The CEO tag is just a title, it doesn't stop you from being a nobody because that's exactly what you are."

Samantha tightened her fists. She was about to talk but Jessica stepped in to quell the situation. "Girls, you two are sisters-"

"Correction: stepsisters. She doesn't even deserve to be called my stepsister because I am sure she is an illegitimate child!" Estella snapped.

"Watch your tongue, Estella. I will not tolerate being insulted by you." Samantha warned.

"Samantha, chill," Jessica scolded and Samantha looked away. She sighed and turned to face Estella. "I don't see any reason why you two should be fighting, Estella. I know you've always felt like I can't replace your real mother, but please, I am always here for whenever you need me. Let's all live in peace like a happy family."

"Did you just say happy family?" Estella scoffed. "This family's happiness was cut short the day you stepped your feet into this house. It became worse when you gave birth to this thing!" she pointed at Samantha. "And everything turned upside down when this gold digging daughter of yours came back and took what belonged to me. The company was my birthright but she stole it."

"You already know why the company was given to her, Estella. If you had stopped taking all these hard drugs like I warned you, you would have been in control by now. This is just for the best." Jessica tried to explain but Estella was not ready to have any of it.

"I refuse to take what you have just said. I didn't say I was incapable of running the company even with the drugs. I would have done a much better job than this skunk!"

Samantha huffed. "You would have done a better job, huh? What do you think you would have done? Hand over cocaine to the employees or give the board of directors a taste of your precious drugs?"

Estella's face turned red with anger. "You think you're a saint? Well, let me tell you, I'm sick of your constant belittling and condescending attitude towards me!"

Samantha's eyes narrowed. "Condescending attitude? Belittling? I'm not trying to belittle you, Estella. But you need to stop acting like a child and take responsibility for your actions. All these would have been avoided if you had done the right thing."

Estella's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare you! You're always so perfect, aren't you? I'm tired of it. I'm tired of being compared to you and coming up short. I'm tired of being treated like a second-class citizen in this family!"

"No one is treating you like a second class citizen. You are the one who cut yourself from everyone in this family. We tried to get close to you but you push people away and prefer to be alone. You pick up fights with me whenever you see me and-"

"Shut up!" Estella snapped. "Stop talking like you're some sort of saint! You're just a nobody!"

Jessica tried to speak but Estella raised her hand to stop her. "I don't want to hear anything from you. I already said it before, you and your daughter are a bunch of gold diggers!"

"I can tolerate anything from you, but don't you dare insult my mother. I get that you're a bitch and you have no respect or regards for anyone, but I won't hesitate to put your face right where it belongs if you open that stinky gutter you call a mouth to insult my mother!" she pointed her index finger at Estella. "And let me give you the last warning, mind your business. If you don't want to have anything to do with us, stay away from us. You're already miserable as it is, don't drag us into your hole." With that, she held Jessica's hand and walked away, heading to her room.

Linda sighed and went after them. Estella tightened her fists and laughed hysterically. "Samantha, Samantha, Samantha!" she seethed. "We will see who laughs last."

When they got to Samantha's room, Jessica faced her. "Sam,"

"No, mum, don't even try to tell me to go make peace with her because that's what you always do. You're always so calm with her and you allow her to disrespect you and talk to you however she likes. She even goes as far as insulting you, mum, as you let her be." Samantha was pissed. She was beginning to find her mother's softness towards Estella annoying.

Jessica sighed. "Sam, you know she is my daughter as well-"

"Mum, that's more reason why you shouldn't let her behave that way towards you. I know you are sympathetic towards her, but you shouldn't let her take you for a fool. I'm sure she wouldn't hesitate to get rid of her at any slightest chance and all you do is give her a free hand to look down on you."

"Sam, listen to me-"

"No, mum, you listen to me!" she snapped and Jessica instantly knew that she was indeed pissed. She knew Samantha wasn't going to hear anything she had to say if she was angry and so she just sucked in a breath. "I'm sick and tired of all these, mum. Let's tell ourselves the truth. Deep down, you want to really tell her how you feel but you always hold back because you do not want to hurt her, but she is hurting you and she is very proud of hurting you, and it pisses me off because I can't take it." With that said, she stormed out of the room, leaving Jessica to ponder on her words.