Mommy, Where's Daddy? The Forsaken Daughter's Return

Chapter 54: The Misunderstanding

Hearing the name of Clayton Brown and Annie, her stepsister, Samantha contemplated going to the two-carat conference room.

She instantly paled at the idea of seeing her stepmother and stepsister. All the more, seeing her father. However, what pushed her to present herself was the convincing of the F&B Manager. She was told, "This would be very good publicity for the hotel, Chef Sam, and I'm sure the boss would love it!"

"You seem like you are hesitating, Chef Sam." From one corner of the kitchen, Chef Matteo remained to study Samantha's movements. He could not help but probe, seeing the reluctance in Samantha's expression.

Samantha cleared her throat and replied, "It's just that... I am not used to speaking in front of a crowd, but I suppose... it's also part of my job."

She forced a smile and added, "Let me just give additional instructions to the chefs and I'll be right behind you."

"I'll see you at the two-carat conference room, Chef Sam," the F&B Manager eagerly responded, walking away from the kitchen.

Samantha did not require that much time. She just needed to get freshened up before seeing her father. She at least desired to look presentable. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

She proceeded to her locker and sent a quick message to Ethan, telling him how she was about to meet her father. She did not wait for any reply and took out her make-up kit.

After putting on some lipstick and powdering her face, she went straight to the two-carat conference room, feeling her heart racing.

As she made that walk into the hallway, she told herself, "You can do this, Sam. Make Ethan proud... Make your children proud." She took a deep breath and reminded herself, "Be proud of what you have become."

When she entered the venue, she instantly saw familiar faces gawking at her. Some of them were her relatives from the Davis' side, and some were her classmates in the military academy.

She raised her chin and imposed a smile. She silently told herself that she was no longer that same Samantha who felt ashamed of her previous mistake. Besides, her supposed misreading lead her into Ethan's arms.

As she made her way to the VIP table where the F&B manager stood, she took a deep breath and searched for Matilda first.

It calmed her heart to find her grandmother. She smiled, knowing everything will be fine.

Still, she evaded her father's gaze.

Standing exactly in front of Clayton Brown, the F&B Manager introduced her as the executive chef. She also repeated her introduction and only then did she look straight into Clayton's eyes and congratulated him and Annie.

In secret, she thought, 'You deserve each other.'

"Beautiful! Beautiful!" Samantha heard a lady, wearing glasses, gave compliments of her charms. "The food is not only delicious, but the person who made the dishes is just so beautiful! What a beautiful Chef you are, Chef Sam!"

Having heard this many times from Ethan's side of the family, Samantha took pride in the comments and said, "Thank you. I was told... I look exactly like my mother."

That was the only time she finally glanced at her father, the General. She clearly saw how he fluttered his eyes by the mention of her mother.

Next to the General was Catherine, her stepmother. Samantha saw how Catherine clasped her hand against her dessert spoon, angry at hearing about her mother. She supposed it would not be the first that her stepmother disliked the mention of Sarah Turner Davis, but it felt great to bring it up again.

"Chef Sam, my name is Belinda Lopez. I am a columnist at the Braeton Daily. I am also a food critic and may I just say, your food is delicious!" Belinda turned around at the table and revealed, "All of us had great words to say about your food!"

Samantha smiled at the tale of Belinda. She reacted, "Really?" Turning to her father, she probed, "Does the General also appreciate the dishes we served?"

There was an awkward silence coming from Winfield, and it puzzled the columnist. It was Belinda who answered on behalf of the General, "Yes! Everyone did!"

"Yes, he did child. Everyone in this room liked the dishes, right everybody?" It was Matilda who stood up, encouraging everyone to speak up.

Samantha clearly saw how her father's hands hid beneath the table. She also saw how her stepmother's jaws clenched.

Transferring her gaze to Annie, Samantha noticed how her stepsister's eyes narrowed at her.

She also received the awkward silence coming from the Browns, especially Ingrid Brown.

Samantha used to get along with Ingrid, but now, she knew not where Clayton's mother stood.

While other guests in the conference room were giving Samantha praises, most individuals in the VIP table were in shock and unable to speak.

Belinda, on the other hand, continued with her comments, "I will definitely write a column about my dining experiences tonight and it's a good thing that I took pictures of my plate! Eventually, I'd want to conduct an interview with you, Chef Sam."

"That would be wonderful and I'm happy you enjoyed our dishes, despite only tasting a six-course meal. Miss Lopez, you could join us during our grand opening next week! We are preparing an eleven-course meal for that event." Putting her hands on her waist, she concluded, "Now that will definitely give you more orgasmic experience!"

"Oh, that would be exciting!" Exclaimed Belinda Lopez. "I will certainly be there!"

Samantha turned to the Browns and to her father and also suggested, "In fact, we would like to also invite your family, General, and Mr. Brown. We would like to welcome you and your family during the grand opening of the First Diamond Hotel."

She directed her gaze to the F&B manager and instructed, "Make sure that they receive an invitation, providing them with a VIP table at that event."

"Yes, Chef Sam," assured the manager.

"Wow! Really? You can give out the invitation?" Belinda's eyes widened. She sneered before clarifying, "I imagined the invites would come from... the corporate office."

"Oh, I have connections in the corporate office," Samantha assured. She winked at Belinda and teased, "I can even get you... an interview with the president himself!"

Belinda's eyes widened. She placed both her hands to cover her mouth and said, "No way! The great, Ethan Wright?!"

"Yes, the great, Ethan Wright!" Samantha answered with a genuine smile.

"That would be fantastic!" Belinda was utterly excited with the idea that she promised, "I will certainly be there!"

"Don't believe every word that woman says!" Everyone's attention shifted to Annie Davis. She had a grimace on her face as she slammed her hands against the table.

Despite the warning stare coming from the General and Clayton Brown, holding her hand, Annie insisted to put Samantha to shame. She pointed a finger at Samantha and announced, "You have dishonored our names and you dare to show your face to us!"

"Miss Belinda, you have no idea what kind of woman she is! She does not deserve to be employed by this prestigious hotel!" Annie added.

"That's right! Shame on the Wrights for having such an employee - a soiled woman!" Catherine Davis added, speaking with a loud voice.

"Clearly, she has come here to come in between Clayton and I! But mind you, that woman cheated on Clayton with an old ugly man! And who knows, she has become a whore all these years!" Annie had to add, screaming as her face turned red!

"That's enough! Watch your words, Annie!" The General found himself in anger, following the provocation of his wife and adopted daughter. He wasn't looking for trouble or attention that evening. He felt calling Samantha out was unnecessary.

"Now, let's not be too harsh," Ingrid Brown tried to speak, but the door to the conference room swung open, halting her words.

They all saw a tall and handsome man with the most domineering intense brown eyes, walking high and mighty, clothed in a custom-made suit. He did not mind the stares and whispers of everyone.

The people's attention easily shifted to an alluring, yet prevailing man as he made his way to the VIP table.

"Mr. Wright. Good evening." the F&B manager was quick to greet their CEO.

Ethan only nodded and turned his stern face into the ogling people in awe of his presence.

"Mr. Wright? Ethan Wright?" Clarified Belinda. She herself had only seen the man once in her life. It was very difficult to catch the CEO of the Wright Diamond Corporation, yet here he was, standing in front of her.

"Yes, I am," answered Ethan. He turned to the General and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt this gathering, but it's getting late. I'm here to fetch my wife."

Looking at Samantha, Ethan pointed to his watch and ordered, "Sam, let's go home. It's getting late."

"Ah! Yes, honey. A moment please while I clarify the misunderstanding," said Samantha while raising her finger.

"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?" Ethan probed, glaring at the obvious culprit and raising his brow.

"Miss Lopez, I think Miss Davis here has mistaken me for someone else." Samantha glanced at Annie with a smile before resuming, "Isn't that right? I would not be that shameful, soiled woman. After all, I am... Samantha Wright."

Samantha watched in delight as Annie's lips trembled and her face paled. The same could be said with the shocked Catherine. Both of them were clearly afraid of Ethan.

"Ye - yes. I'm sorry. I - I must have mistaken you for someone else," said Annie with her voice shaking. She bowed her head and apologized, "Pardon my words... Chef Sam."

"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," told Belinda while wiping the sweat on her forehead.

Ethan immediately shot a sinister look at Annie and Catherine Davis. His eyes narrowed, giving them a silent threat. He asked, "Did they now. Tell me again, what did they say? Soiled? Shameful? What else was said about my wife?"