CHAPTER 175: SAMANTHA’S VISIT

It had been ages since Sarah had a good night’s sleep.

When she finally woke up, Beauty was no longer in bed.

Rushing downstairs after leaving the room, she spotted Beauty’s petite figure bustling about in the kitchen.

Hearing the footsteps, Beauty immediately turned around and flashed her a bright smile.

"Sarah, you’re awake!

You must have a terrible headache, right?

I made some hangover soup following the chef’s recipe back home.

Have some after you freshen up!"

"Alright," Sarah replied before heading to wash up.

For her, having someone else in the house suddenly made it feel more alive—far better than being alone in this empty space.

Beauty continued busying herself in the kitchen, stir-frying a few simple dishes.

After all the drinking last night, waking up this late surely meant their stomachs were completely empty.

By the time Sarah finished freshening up, the dishes were ready.

Though they didn’t look particularly impressive, she took a bite with her chopsticks and found the taste surprisingly good.

"Sarah, drink more of the soup.

It’s good for your stomach.

It should taste decent—I followed the chef’s instructions to the letter, didn’t skip a single step!"

Beauty ladled a spoonful into Sarah’s bowl and watched as she took a sip, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Mmm, it really is good.

Seems like you have a knack for cooking, Beauty," Sarah praised with a smile.

Compared to someone like her, who couldn’t cook at all, Beauty definitely had talent.

"Actually, I’ve always been a little interested in cooking.

But Lucas’s place has too many chefs—I never get a chance.

Sometimes I sneak into the kitchen to pick up some pastry-making tricks, but I never get to use them.

Let’s do some baking together later!"

Sarah nodded.

She was starting to warm up to Beauty’s suggestions.

After the turmoil at home, she hadn’t slept properly in so long.

But last night’s deep rest had left her feeling refreshed and energetic today.

The two were happily eating when suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

Who could be visiting at this hour?

Beauty initially thought it was Lucas or Drake at the door, so she quickly rose to answer it.

As the door swung open, she found Samantha standing there in a pristine white dress, her face as cold and expressionless as ice.

"What are you doing here?"

Beauty had already heard whispers about Samantha’s involvement in Sarah family’s recent troubles.

Her unwelcoming glare made it clear she had no intention of inviting her in.

Samantha, however, seemed unfazed.

A faint smirk curled at the corners of her lips as she said, "I need to talk to Sarah.

Is she home?"

Sarah, who had been eating, immediately set down her spoon at the sound of that familiar voice and strode over.

Her gaze was icy. "

She has no welcome for anyone from Samantha’s family.

Leave."

Samantha had expected this reaction.

Tipping her chin up with a haughty smile, she replied, "Whether you welcome me or not, there are things I need to say."

"What could you possibly have to say?"

Sarah scoffed.

"Here to gloat over my misfortune?

Or has your conscience suddenly awakened, and you’ve come to pity me?

Ha! As if.

After all these years, I still don’t fully understand you.

You’ve hidden yourself well."

She moved to slam the door, but Samantha pushed her way inside, sweeping her eyes over the surroundings with undisguised disdain.

"Tsk, tsk," she remarked mockingly.

"Who would’ve thought the once-glorious family would fall so low in such a short time?

I heard you’re selling this house, Sarah.

This is the home you grew up in—can you really bear to part with it?"

"What does it matter?"

Sarah retorted bitterly.

"I’ve already lost my family.

What’s the point of holding onto an empty house?"

Samantha’s laughter was as bright as it was cruel, her eyes raking over Sarah with cold amusement.

"Then perhaps," she purred, "if I were to buy this house, it might ease your troubles?"

"Not a chance," Beauty cut in, stepping protectively in front of Sarah.

Her jaw tightened as she glared at Samantha.

"Sarah would sell to anyone but someone from your family."

Samantha had no desire to make an enemy of her—after all, she knew better than to provoke this petite woman standing before her.

In New York, no one dared to lay a finger on Lucas’s woman.

But Sarah was different.

In Samantha’s eyes, she was nothing more than a pitiful stray dog now.

"Don’t speak too soon," Samantha said with a smirk.

"What if no one buys it?

Are you planning to keep relisting it forever? Out of consideration for our years of friendship, I’ll do you a favor and take the house off your hands.

Drake and I happen to need a place for our wedding.

A little renovation, and it’ll be perfect.

What do you think, Sarah?"

Sarah’s smile froze, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Her eyes turned icy as she lifted her gaze to meet Samantha’s.

"No need for your *kindness*, Samantha," she spat through gritted teeth, each word dripping with venom.

"Even if this house never sells, I’d rather burn it down than let it fall into the hands of your family."

Samantha arched a perfectly sculpted brow.

"And how do you plan to pay off the mountain of debt your family owes?

From what I hear, you’ve already drained your savings on your mother’s medical bills.

When the debt collectors come knocking, do you really think they’ll show you mercy?"

She leaned in slightly, her voice laced with mock sympathy. "And don’t expect my fiancé to bail you out.

Now that I’m carrying Drake’s child, who do you think he’ll choose—you or me?"

The words struck like a bolt of lightning.

Sarah’s face drained of color in an instant.

If the recent blows to her family had been devastating, this bombshell from Samantha was nothing short of fatal.

Her legs buckled, and she swayed unsteadily—only Beauty’s quick grip on her shoulders kept her from collapsing.

Eyes blazing, Sarah forced out each syllable.

"What. Did. You. Say?"

Samantha had anticipated this reaction.

With a flick of her wrist, she tilted her head, her willow-thin brows lifting in amusement.

"Last time, my pregnancy was a lie.

But this?" She rested a hand on her stomach, stroking it with deliberate tenderness, a triumphant smile curling her lips.

"This one’s the real deal."

The revelation hit Sarah like a slap to the face.

Her ears rang, the world tilting around her. That last time—it had all been a ruse.

And she had fallen for it, cutting ties with Drake for good.

Her heart felt as if struck by something sharp, sending a dizzying wave through her head.

"Since your last pregnancy was fake, who’s to say this one isn’t just another lie?"

Beauty tightened her grip on Sarah’s arm, tilting her chin up as she glared at Samantha, each word dripping with venom.

Samantha hadn’t expected such an accusation.

Her face flushed crimson in an instant.

Without hesitation, she pulled a prenatal report from her bag and thrust it toward Sarah.

"Here’s the medical report—two months along.

The real deal."