It had been a few years since Rachel last saw Samantha. Age had matured Samantha like fine wine, even causing her to lose some of the naivety in her eyes. However, one thing that didn’t change was her calculating gaze. It was especially obvious with the venomous way she looked at Rachel–a clear indication that she still regarded Rachel with animosity, thinking of Rachel as a love rival who’d snatch William away from her at any time. Some women were just like that; they could never walk away from the shadow of their men.
However, Samantha’s abilities were on par with Yvette’s. The two would make a great pair. Rachel took the initiative to greet them. “Mr. Lewis.”
Thomas had aged much as well. He seemed to be looking around the hall for something. Rachel guessed he was probably searching for Tyler. She simply couldn’t understand. They clearly cared for each other, so why did they remain so stubborn and refuse to speak kindly to one another when they had the chance? She couldn’t wrap her head around it.
Thomas looked blandly at Rachel before saying stiffly, “My condolences.” Rachel didn’t mind it. She understood Thomas Lewis all too well–he had been this way ever since she was married to William. He always looked so stern, authoritative, and distant. However, it was all thanks to him that Lewis Enterprise could survive till today. It was reasonable that he exuded the air of someone who wielded authority and power.
William approached Rachel and handed her a bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers, looking milder and gentler than he had ever been. “My condolences, too.”
“Appreciate it. Please head in and take a seat,” Rachel said with a nod before turning to her side and ushering them in.
William and Thomas said nothing more and made a move to walk in. However, Samantha approached Rachel instead of walking in with them. Her voice was soft like a lamb.
Chapter #13
“Rachel, it’s really been such a long time. I didn’t expect you to really end up with Mr. Hunt.”
Rachel used to hate that pretentious look on Samantha’s face, but she tolerated it. There was no point arguing with such people. But now, there was no need for her to care about William’s pride–or anyone else, for that matter. Her eyes turned cold as she glanced at Samantha.
“If I remember it correctly, he’s also your uncle. Why do you keep addressing him as Mr. Hunt? That sounds pretty rude to me. Is that how you treat family? Like strangers?”
Samantha’s face fell immediately–she was acting pitiful, just as she loved doing many years ago. Her acting chops were commendable, what with how her eyes turned red in seconds like a frightened rabbit.
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I almost forgot about that. Tyler hardly comes home. We never invite him to family events or gatherings, you see. After a while, I forgot about him. Please forgive me.”
Her so-called apology was an indirect jab at Tyler, telling Rachel that the Lewises no longer acknowledged him as family and that she could forget about even trying. Rachel smirked at Samantha’s red-rimmed eyes, her voice dripping with mockery.
“You forgot? Let me remind you that he wasn’t chased out of the Lewis household. He’s the one who doesn’t want to stay in that family. If he wants to go back, do you really think he’ll fail to do so if he submits to Mr. Lewis? You’ve been with the Lewises for a while now. You probably can tell that Mr. Lewis can’t forget about Tyler, even if I don’t make it clear.”