Chapter 4

Christopher felt kinda bad seeing Samantha like this; he was about to check on her when Enzo’s worried voice called out, “Sammie! What’s up?”

Enzo ran over to Samantha, and when he noticed the empty glass, he looked like someone had punched him in the gut. He turned to Christopher, who was off to the side, and demanded, “Dude, she’s 18, your age. Why’d you let her drink? You gotta keep an eye out.”

“I tried, but she said it’s her birthday, and she’s an adult now. Plus, she really hates apologies…. Christopher tried to explain.

“What? You said sorry to her?” Enzo couldn’t believe it. Everything was cool before. Samantha didn’t even make a fuss about not being the center of attention at the birthday bash. Now Enzo was freaking out because Samantha’s major no-no was getting I’m sorry’s’ from anyone.

“I didn’t know that she… Christopher was starting to panic too, secing Enzo all stressed. He looked back at Samantha, her cheeks a light pink but her eyes were like ice, totally unbothered

The drama with Samantha quickly turned heads, with guests sneaking glances her way.

Under their watchful eyes, Samantha took the juice from Christopher and drank it down quickly, like it was no big deal. Then, she just propped her chin in her hand, her eyes fixed on Adrienne on stage.

Adrienne felt a chill down her spine with Samantha looking at her. She thought, ‘No way this nobody’s got such a strong vibe. As their eyes locked, Adrienne’s jaw dropped. ‘Hold up, wasn’t there a scar on her face earlier?’ she wondered, freaking put inside. She pieced it together, thinking the family must’ve ditched Samantha when they spotted her fake scar. “Pfft, you might look like them, but you’re still a zero, Adrienne smirked to herself.

But her victory lap got cut short. Hansel and his squad left the reception room to join Adrienne on stage, and things took a wild turn.

Adrienne put on her best pageant smile, gearing up for a hug from Kathleen, but the script got flipped.

“Everyone, today’s real VIP is also this young lady right here, Ms. Samantha Vanderbilt, my real daughter I just found!” Hansel was going off-script. “From here out, it’s equal love for Adrie and Sammie, no favorites,” he announced on a whim.

Overhearing her name, Samantha shot Hansel a mysterious smile. She thought, ‘Great, now he’s pegging us as siblings. Handy for them, but does Adrienne even measure up?’ Negativity tainted her silent chuckle. Just a day earlier, Enzo had filled her in about someone pretending to be her online and taking on some protégée. Betting it was Adrienne, Samantha wasn’t amused.

“Wait, were these two mixed up as babies or what?” one guest murmured, confused. “It’s like Mr. Vanderbilt’s about to play daddy to Adrienne, too.”

“That’s rough for Ms. Vanderbilt,” another chimed in. “She just shows up, and now she’s gotta accept this girl who’s been living her life for 18 years as her sister…”

“Yeah, figures. Adrienne might not be their real kid, but they’ve pretty much been family forever…” someone mumbled.

Everyone whispering around him felt like a punch to the gut for Enzo. He couldn’t believe Hansel would say that.

Samantha just sat there, cool as a cucumber, keeping it together even though her eyes showed she was bummed.

Christopher didn’t miss it. Even if he was mad at Hansel, he got the picture.

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Chapter 4

Adrienne was this famous dude Harley Brooks’ star student, something the teacher bragged about online, causing a huge buzz and even trending on social media.

Sure, Samantha was Hansel’s actual daughter, but when it came to the family business, money talked.

“Wait, seriously, Dad?” Conrad said, his heart sinking as he looked over at Samantha sitting by Christopher. Her disappointed face hit him hard. His heart hurt every time he saw her.

“Hold your tongue, Conrad. Starting today, Adrienne’s gonna be like your adopted sister. You can still dote on her as you wish. As for Sammie, just try to get along with her slowly…” Hansel was torn. Adrienne being Harley’s student had made their company worth a ton more. “Next time, I’ll make it up to Samantha… Hansel promised himself.

“Dad! Listen to yourself?!” Conrad was so done. Before, Hansel liked Adrienne, sure, but he wasn’t cool with her just-okay grades. Now that she had this fancy title of being Harley’s student, he was all about her, even when she messed up.

“Conrad,” Adrienne put on the sad puppy eyes, “It’s my big 18th birthday. Can we not fight? I mean, everyone’s watching.

Conrad wasn’t buying it. “Your birthday? Really? Today’s about my real sister’s big day, and you’re here acting like you own the place when you’ve just walked in outta nowhere!” As he kept talking, he got more and more worked up. It wasn’t like him to chew out Adrienne like that, but he was telling it like it was. Adrienne’s spot in the Vanderbilt family was super awkward, no doubt about it.

In the back. Brennan was steaming after he heard what Conrad Had to say. He bolted forward, ready to deck Conrad, but Conrad wasn’t having any of it and got ready for the throwdown. Conrad, with Brennan’s hand on his shirt, caught sight of his kid brother’s angry mug. He bit down and was about to punch back, mad as heck.

Brennan’s grip slipped, and he tripped back, feeling the blood oozing from his lip. Pain shot through his cheek and his head went all buzzy. He touched his aching mouth and saw his hand was red with blood. Brennan made a face, spit out some blood, and glared at Conrad. “Dude! Why’d you hit so freaking hard? Samantha just got here, and you’re already in her corner. What’s she done for you?”

“Shut it, Brennan! Remember who’s family and who’s not! Go ahead, spoil Adrienne, but don’t whine to me when you broke. I can deal without a brother like that!” Conrad was fed up with Hansel and Brennan. Something hit him, and he looked at Lincoln and his other bros, Dawson and Emerson Vanderbilt, who were the next in line. “I’m laying it out rigli now. Mess with Samantha, and you’re asking for it with me too. Think twice before you act,” he warned them.

1 get to say

The main hall got super quiet. Most people were nodding, feeling bad for Samantha since she didn’t even ge anything. ‘She should be the star today-it’s her big celebration, everyone thought.

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