Chapter 9: Sis, Don't Scold Me!

Though Samantha Huntington's feelings towards her family had grown rather faint, her father was still her father after all. Upon hearing Bertha Huntington's words, anxiety welled up in her heart.

"What happened to Dad? Has he been taken to the hospital?"

"Sis, your signal is bad. Hurry back, we can talk when you get here!"

After hastily saying this, Bertha Huntington hung up the phone. Staring at the darkened screen, Samantha Huntington felt a mix of emotions. Since she had already taken a day off, she decided not to wait until the end of the workday and headed straight home.

Rushing back, she stood at the door, only to realize that the lock had been replaced with a fingerprint and password system. Holding the key her mother had given her twenty years ago, her heart sank like it was encased in ice. After standing there for a long while, she swallowed her bitterness and tried entering Bertha Huntington's birthday as the password.

*Click*—the lock opened.

Samantha Huntington let herself in, but she wasn't happy at all. Hiding her desolation, she entered the house. Just as she was changing her shoes in the entryway, Bertha Huntington, who was eating ice cream, jumped in surprise.

"Si... Sis? How did you get in?"

Bertha Huntington called her "sister," but her eyes were wary, as if looking at a thief.

"This is my home, isn't it normal for me to come in?" Samantha Huntington set down her backpack, her tone icy cold.

Bertha Huntington blinked, looking as if she was being bullied, and explained in a small voice, "Sis, are you angry? Mom and Dad changed the lock last month and didn't have time to call you back to record your fingerprint. The password... Dad said it would be easier to remember if it was my birthday."

Bertha Huntington's birthday was 0758, while hers was 1122. It was clear whose birthday was easier to remember. Hearing Bertha Huntington's explanation, Samantha Huntington found it laughable and speechless. But she didn't want to argue. Seeing the half-eaten ice cream, she frowned and asked, "Dad is sick, and you're eating ice cream?"

"Baobao, you're back?"

A middle-aged woman's voice broke the tense atmosphere in the living room. Bertha Huntington, as if scolded, immediately put down the ice cream and apologized in a pitiful tone.

"I'm sorry, sis, I was wrong. Don't scold me."

Without turning around, Samantha Huntington knew it must be her father and Hilda Alerander. She glared at the feigning Bertha Huntington and retorted, "Tell me, what exactly did I say to scold you? I just asked a simple question. Which word or phrase was a scold?"

Before she finished, Jeremy Huntington scolded, "Your sister is young, and she just went out to buy medicine for me. It's hot, so having some ice cream isn't a big deal. Stop thinking about fighting with her every time you come back. Why are you being so aggressive now? Who are you showing off to?"

Bitterness welled up in Samantha Huntington's heart. Her father's lack of fairness wasn't new. In their hearts, she was always the villain! If that was the case, why did they even call her back?

Gripping her fists, she said coldly, "Since there's nothing serious, I'll leave now."

"Sis, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please don't be angry," Bertha Huntington pleaded, hugging her arm. "Dad isn't feeling well, stay a bit longer and chat with him, okay?"

"Yaoyao, stop talking!" Hilda Alerander chided, then turned to Samantha Huntington, "Since you're here, stay for dinner."

Before Samantha Huntington could respond, Jeremy Huntington spoke to Hilda Alerander, "Why are you scolding Yaoyao? She's right. As the older sister, you should be more understanding. Coming back and causing trouble is just annoying."

"Old Su, Baobao rarely comes back, unlike Yaoyao who is always by your side. Let it go," Hilda Alerander said, seemingly defending Samantha Huntington but actually implying that the elder daughter was unfilial and uncaring.

Samantha Huntington looked at her, frowning. Hilda Alerander, seeming intimidated by her gaze, retreated slightly and called to Bertha Huntington, "Come, help me prepare dinner. Let Dad and your sister talk."

The mother and daughter left, leaving Jeremy Huntington glaring at his eldest daughter. He grunted, "You, come to the study with me."

Standing before the desk, Samantha Huntington saw a family photo of her father, Hilda Alerander, and Bertha Huntington, her chest tightening. Her father's first words were, "I saw the news yesterday, Edward Priestley broke up with you?"

The disappointment in his voice made Samantha Huntington feel suffocated.

"It was Edward Priestley who cheated first. He disregarded our twenty years of relationship and was involved with many women. Dad, you don't think I was wrong to break up with him, do you?"

She hadn't cried when she heard Edward Priestley and Sylvia Congreve together, but now her eyes welled up. Seeing her distress, Jeremy Huntington sighed heavily, offering a perfunctory comfort.

"You've been wronged."

Samantha Huntington could tell his words were hollow. She blinked back tears. The study fell silent for a while. Seeing her calm down, Jeremy Huntington asked, "Is it over for good? I heard Edward Priestley is also upset. If he comes to apologize, would you give him another chance?"