A wave of jealousy filled Annie Davis' heart.
She just heard Ethan Wright call Samantha his wife, and it shocked her beyond words.
She had met Ethan Wright on two occasions while attending special events with her adoptive father, General Winfield Davis.
However, this tall and handsome man never batted an eye for her. Yet, here he was standing in front of their table, calling Samantha his wife?!
'No!' Her head was yelling in denial!
At first, the possibility that Samantha was still after Clayton fueled her displeasure, recalling how much she adored Clayton in the past.
Annie successfully managed to win Clayton over and she had already considered herself triumphant for having taken the attention that was given to Samantha, but now... why did it feel like she was still a loser in comparison to her stepsister?!
Annie Davis's insides were screaming with envy!
She clearly noticed how Ethan Wright was giving her and her mother that nasty look, so she tried to recover by taking back her words, pretending she did not know Samantha at all.
Deep inside, however, Annie wondered if Ethan Wright knew the truth about Samantha and her past.
Just when she thought she had momentarily slipped out of Ethan's piercing stare, Belinda had to remind him, "Haha! What a relief! Annie and Catherine seemed like they were ready to fry you, Chef Sam! I'm glad it's all a misunderstanding."
Annie saw as Ethan immediately shot an ominous glance at her and her mother. His eyes narrowed as he asked, "Did they now. Tell me again, what did they say? Soiled? Shameful? What else was said about my wife?"
"Um... No. It was... a mistake," Annie said while her voice trailed off.
"Yes, Mr. Wright. I heard that woman clearly telling Mrs. Wright that she was here." The F&B manager frowned as she reported, "That Chef Sam was here to come in between her and her fiance."
With brows drawn together, she added, "Miss Davis even suggested that Mrs. Wright may be a whore."
Ethan raised his chin at Annie before remarking, "Really? My wife a whore?"
Annie Davis felt her heart racing as she tried to reason with the man, "It - it was a mistake. I'm sorry, Mr. Wright. Forgive my words - "
"But you dare accuse my wife when you are unsure?" Ethan cut off her words. "And why would my wife be interested in your fiance? He doesn't even compare to my foot!"
Clayton Brown felt a lump in his throat, hearing Ethan's description of him.
"My wife would never look at another man, other than me. You see, my wife's standards are way up there," added Ethan.
"Why don't you... tell your fiance how many soldiers you have slept with before marking on him and we'll know who is the real whore!" Ethan told. His indication created murmurs around the venue.
It became clear to Annie how Ethan knew who they really were and how relevant they were to Samantha's life. All of this was just an act to dismiss them and the accusations she had of Samantha.
Even Samantha would up, widening her eyes at Ethan's tale. She wondered how her own husband knew this about Annie. Of course, Samantha knew.
Annie was the person who encouraged her into having sex, but she wound up doing it with Ethan.
Getting up, Winfield Davis interfered, "Now, I think you have gone too far, Ethan - "
"That is Mr. Wright to you, General," Ethan answered curtly, cutting off the General's words. He then shifted his gaze to Clayton and said, "Control your woman and put her in her proper place... or I will."
Turning to Samantha, Ethan urged, "Let's go... Honey."
When Ethan and Samantha left the room, the air remained chilly. Even Belinda felt the awkwardness around the venue. Somehow, she thought there was more to the story than what was told.
Seeing Ethan and Samantha go, Annie Davis wound up excusing herself, "I - I just need to go to the bathroom."
"I'll come with you, dear," Catherine Davis suggested, speedily getting up. She did not miss, however, to give Matilda a nasty glare before completely leaving the venue.
It was in the ladies' room that the mother and daughter discussed the earlier situation.
"Clayton? Clayton is nothing compared to the richest man in the city! Annie! Think!" Catherine held Annie's hand and replied, "You are a far worthy daughter of the General. More than Samantha!"
"In truth, her name has been tainted and all we need to do... is prove it to the Wrights!" With a sinister grin, Catherine added, "Once again, that woman will be a laughingstock... but this time, not only in the military camp but also in the entire city of Braeton!"
Annie thought about her mother's plan.
She realized how she only became interested in Clayton because he was Samantha's. And now? Samantha was with someone else far better than Clayton. Annie frowned and answered, "You are right, mother. You are right! Why settle for Clayton."
"I - I also want to be Mrs. Wright!" Declared Annie with a mischievous grin on her face.
***
"It's my fault. I should have known they booked the hotel for their events," Ethan said while they were in the car, on the way home.
"I have plans, Sam. It wasn't the right time to face them. Not yet," added Ethan.
"I know. I was... caught off guard myself," Samantha answered while putting a hand on her chest. She turned to him and said, "I'm so glad you came."
A smirk appeared on his face and he answered, "You wanted me to. Why else would you tell me where you were headed."
Samantha chuckled and answered, "I hoped that you would."
Ethan reached for her hand and teased, "Now, do you only want to call me honey in the face of your stepsister and stepmother?"
His words made Samantha blush. She said, "I thought... it sounded more convincing."
"Hmmm." He leaned over Samantha's face and whispered to her ear, "And because I saved you tonight, your honey gets a reward."
'Gosh, is this really Ethan?' Samantha thought while covering her burning face. It would seem as though she would once again be devoured that evening.
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