Samantha banged the table, her face cold and hard. “What can you do if I say no? The company belongs to William, not you shareholders!”

The shareholders couldn’t stand Samantha’s arrogance. She used to be so meek and docile when she first joined the company. Now, it was clear to them that it was nothing but an act.

They refused to back down.

“Since you refuse to admit your mistake, keep an eye out for our lawyer’s letter. We’ll sue you collectively. Just a reminder—if you don’t pay, we’ll file an appeal in court. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to land in jail over such a measly sum of money.”

Samantha’s heart skipped a frightened beat. She didn’t expect the shareholders to disregard even William. Worse, they were even considering calling the cops on her!

As she fell silent, one of the shareholders instructed the assistant, “Draw up a lawyer’s letter and email it to Ms. Judd.”

Samantha started to panic. “I—I’m Mr. Lewis’ wife! Must you be so aggressive?”

“Don’t say that, Ms. Judd. We’re not being aggressive. Rather, we depend on that money to save the company. If you don’t agree to pay up, we’ll be in trouble.”

“Indeed. The projects we’ve been discussing with our overseas partners are stuck, unable to progress. We need to pump more money into these projects, or our overseas partners will pass this opportunity up to other companies. Tell us, Ms. Judd, if that happens, what should we do?”

Samantha finally understood where all this was going. “So you’re using me as a shield to pave the way for yourselves? What great shareholders you are for the company!”

“If it weren’t for the losses from your investment, Ms. Judd, this would never have happened,” another shareholder countered. "If Ms. Lloyd were still around…”

“Enough!”

Samantha raised her voice, her usual mask of innocence and meekness torn off to reveal hideous and savage wrath, thoroughly frightening the shareholders.

She gripped the edge of the table, her lips pressed so tightly together they turned white. She glared at the shareholders with bloodshot eyes.

“You’re always comparing me with Rachel Lloyd! Why? She’s already dead, and you’re still comparing her with me! I didn’t see all of you treating her very kindly when she was still alive and around! Would all of you even bother listening to her if she couldn’t lip-read as well as she could?"

“You old fogeys! I think you’ll always have something nasty to say, no matter who’s doing the work! You’ll be able to find fault even in the most shining example. You should be examining the good you’ve done for the company over the years instead!”

The shareholders pursed their lips, ignoring Samantha’s comments.

“Whatever it is, we’re better than you in every sense of the word. There’s no point arguing with us about this, Ms. Judd. I advise you to settle the matter as soon as you can. If you don’t transfer the deficit in three days, just wait to be taken behind bars.”

With that, the shareholders upped and left, adjourning the meeting.

Samantha stared at them as they left the room, gnashing her teeth with anger. Hatred brimmed in her once innocent, crystal-clear eyes.

Rachel was already gone, so why was her presence still haunting Samantha even after her death?

Everyone around Samantha loved comparing her to Rachel. What exactly was so good about Rachel?!

Still, she had a bigger problem right now. Asking William for help was useless since he was being detained by the police. From where could she find the money she needed?

The shareholders looked serious. If she failed to make up the deficit and they decided to sue her, she was doomed to be locked behind bars!