Chapter 102

Sophia pleaded, “Samuel, please don’t be angry. My apology isn’t enough? The Oceania Group partnership is crucial; so many companies want to work with them. We must seize this opportunity. Please come back.” Sophia's pride seemed finally to have yielded.

Samuel, on speakerphone, allowed Hannah and Isabel to hear. He responded, “Mom, since you’ve given me the company, I expect your full trust. I won’t tolerate interference in company affairs.”

Sophia conceded, “I understand. Don’t worry. If William’s family tries to boss you around again, I won’t let them.”

Samuel agreed. Sophia felt immense relief.

Hannah sighed, “I never thought I’d see Sophia so submissive.” She’d never witnessed such a determined effort to please Samuel.

Isabel chimed in, “Dad, Grandma’s promise ensures William and the others won’t interfere. The Oceania Group deal is secured.” She’d already handled the behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Samuel acknowledged, “Isabel, I know you’ve been helping me. Without you, I’d be at William’s mercy. Thank you.”

Isabel replied, “We’re family. No need for thanks. I’ll always support you.”

Samuel returned to the company and smoothly coordinated the Oceania Group partnership. To his surprise, they were remarkably polite.

Meanwhile, Rosy and the others, evicted from their large villa after the Clyde family’s bankruptcy, lived in a small apartment. A menacing Frank, accompanied by several men, burst through their door.

Terror seized Rosy and the others. Rosy gasped, “Frank, what are you doing?” Her heart plummeted seeing his entourage.

Frank bellowed, “Where’s that little tramp, Amelia? Get her out here!”

Rosy attempted to calm him, “Frank, what happened? Please, calm down.”

Frank shoved Rosy onto the sofa. Amelia emerged.

Frank demanded, “Little tramp, return all the jewelry I bought you! Since you’re leaving me, give it back!”

Amelia, caught off guard, retorted, “No way! You gave it to me; it’s mine!” She was finished with him.

Frank ordered, “Search the house!”

His men found some jewelry. One reported, “Mr. Thompson, this is all we found.”

Frank grabbed Amelia’s arm, “Where’s the rest? Bring it out now!”

Amelia insisted, “I don’t have any more!”

Frank struck her. He roared, “Say that again!”

Amelia defiantly repeated, “I don’t have any more! I’ll say it ten times!”

Enraged, Frank grabbed Amelia’s neck, attempting to strangle her. Rosy intervened, “No, Frank! Let’s talk!”

Caius emerged, witnessing the chaos. He was frail, but enraged by the intrusion. Rosy pulled Frank away, and Amelia recovered.

Frank raged, “Your daughter wants to break up! Since I can’t get my jewelry back, destroy this place!”

Rosy protested, “Frank, you’re going too far! We’re the Clyde family!”

Frank sneered, “Do you think this is still the old Clyde family? I can do whatever I want.”

Rosy was speechless, inwardly lamenting their downfall. The goons smashed everything. Rosy and the others could only weep.

Caius cried, “What kind of karma is this?”

Rosy berated Amelia, “Why couldn’t you keep Frank happy? Why provoke him?”

Amelia showed Rosy her bruises, “Mom, he’s cruel! I can’t take it anymore.”

Rosy thought, Frank is cruel; money and jewelry seemed to excuse anything. “I didn’t want a poor life, but Frank went too far.” She felt sympathy for Amelia.

Caius blamed Amelia, “This family is broken, it’s all your fault! Get out! I don’t have a daughter like you!”

Caius seemed to believe Amelia was the source of all their problems. Seeing Caius's harsh rejection, Amelia dropped her pretense. She’d feared abandonment, but now, with the family in ruins, she had nothing left to lose. She retorted, “Why blame me? What did I do? Your sons are useless! Five sons, and not one is useful! Pathetic!”

Caius, enraged by her defiance, fainted. Rosy cried out anxiously.

Amelia, cast out, felt despair. She mused, Why can’t I be rich? Am I destined for hardship? After the switch at birth, a tough life in the countryside, finding my parents only to face bankruptcy and a disgusting old man…life is unfair.

She’d been reading novels, wondering if she was somehow playing the role of an evil female lead. But she only craved money, jewelry, and luxury; not evil.

Destitute, Amelia sought Liam, her ex-husband. She found him in a club. He was annoyed to see her.

Amelia pleaded, “Liam, I’ve been kicked out; I have nowhere to go.”

Liam coldly replied, “That’s your problem. We’re divorced. Don’t come to me.”