Unveiling Samantha by Veronica Wright

Chapter 20 

57% 

Once Samantha fessed up to being hungry, Kathleen decided to wrap it up and head to dinner. Adrienne was still lingering outside, so Kathleen threw out an invite without much fuss, “Come on and eat. We don’t make a habit of treating guests poorly. Then, Kathleen beamed at Samantha and steered her to a chair next to hers. When Samantha saw the spread-like 20 different dishes-she just knew Kathleen would try to spoon-feed her. 

The help shuffled Adrienne off to the far side of the table to keep the peace. Adrienne plopped down, pulling a face like she’d just touched something gross. 

Lincoln and the crew had cleared their day to pick out a welcome present for Samantha. They all circled Kathleen, each wearing a different look. 

Kathleen didn’t waste any time and forked a rib onto Samantha’s plate. Samantha just got down to eating, no complaints. Kathleen dished up another rib and some stew for Samantha, who was gobbling it all down. Conrad watched, half amused. convinced Samantha was going to burst. 

Across the table, Adrienne was barely touching her food, green with envy. I never got this queen treatment. Just because Samantha’s her real kid… Well, I’ll show them. She’ll be eating my dust soon enough, she thought bitterly. 

Dawson caught the look of jealousy Adrienne was throwing and scolded, “Cut the jealousy, Adrienne.” 

The rebuke sent Adrienne face-first into her plate, a plate filled with her least favorite: bacon. But she took the fattiest slice and chewed like it was her last meal, pretending it was Samantha. One day,’ she promised herself, Tll be back on top. 

Samantha caught a glimpse of Adrienne’s nasty look but kept cool and focused on the feast Kathleen was serving up. 

The dinner went by quick, with Samantha stuffing herself until she burped. 

Lincoln couldn’t help but smile; there was something refreshing about her. Adrienne’s dining habits, on the other hand, seemed off to him and nowhere close to the Vanderbilt standard Adrienne always demanded real compliments for her looks, not just empty words. 

Samantha was feeling stuffed to the gills and a little queasy, but she fought it off and kept it together. “Mom, I’m kinda tired Where’s my room?” Samantha asked, her breath a tad heavy. She was thinking that crashing in Kathleen’s room couldn’t last 

forever. 

Conrad could tell Kathleen had gone overboard stuffing Samantha with food. Back when Kathleen was clueless about the whole situation, she’d tried to feed Adrienne the same way, but Adrienne wasn’t having it. Conrad remembered Adrienne fussing to others about Kathleen, calling it gross. But Conrad knew Kathleen always used the serving spoon. He’d kept quiet back then, but times had changed… 

Kathleen got what Samantha was hinting at. Every girl needed her own space. 

There was an extra room next to Kathleen’s. Just that day, some swift renovations had been made. Kathleen, all pumped up. grabbed Samantha’s hand. “Let’s check out your new room. Hope you like the vibe. If not, we’ll switch it up tomorrow!” she beamed. But to Conrad and the crew, they knew fixing up that room cost a small fortune. Kathleen had been running around all day, either checking on the upgrades or handling the bills for swanky goods-busy as a beehive! 

Conrad started doubting if his gifts would measure up. Seemed like he hadn’t even hit two-thirds of Kathleen’s splurge. He nodded to Hansel, then headed upstairs to dig something up. 

The other brothers quietly dipped out, not wanting to hang with Adrienne. 

Then it was just Hansel and Adrienne left. After downing his wine, Hansel was ready to bail, but Adrienne stopped him. 

1/2 

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Xoans t h ngg this bark in her grip Hymys Wayserjet on tung 

Wwww.acon of linked by and brienne het bed, ey you have poochie “uld be someone of you 

wale Fou straw for Adrienne. She stood up and chucked the fork at Yalley “Who do you think you are, talking to me hear Your alunk you can kick me when I’m down 

To mistice ating You like any guest, Ms. Vanderbilt. Dinner’s been dragging for over two hours: we’ve been standing by.” to slappet touch 

Acice exploded, “Since when do the Vanderbilt family treat guests like this? All these years, and I’m just finding out? 

Haley past gave a small smile, looking at Adrienne like she was some piece of work. Remember when the family was out. and you ran the show? Forgotten how you treated the guests back then? Bailey reminded her 

Adrienne was seething. She’d never been disrespected like this before. In a fit of rage, she grabbed a water glass and hurled at Bailey. But Bailey dodged smoothly, and the glass crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces 

Bailey’s voice was calm as she dropped a bombshell. “That glass was specially made by a top-notch artist from abroad. It cost 27,700 dollars. You’ll have to cough up the cash for breaking it. She gave a small smile and stood up straight, making her exit. Another worker said to Adrienne, “Ms. Vanderbilt, please don’t make this harder than it needs to be. You’re not calling the shots anymore. Watch your step or you might lose the comfy life you’ve been living!” 

Adrienne was shaking mad. She shot a glare at the servant who jeered at her and stormed out with a huff. 

The servant couldn’t help but mimic Adrienne’s huffy exit, getting a few chuckles from everyone else. 

Over in her brand-new room, Samantha was sitting on the bed, taking in her surroundings and contemplating. 

2/2 

END GIFT 

COMMENT 

Young’s 

Deliciously Rich in Protein L 

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