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Chapter_279
Inside the car, Jeremiah, still holding the steering wheel firmly, put his phone away without reacting to the news that Samantha would be there. Yvette, however, caught the mention of Samantha’s name. She raised her eyes, her lips curling into a slight smile. The name had come up frequently since her arrival in Betrico, and it seemed to have stirred something in her.
With a playful glint in her eyes, Yvette asked casually, “Childhood sweethearts? Longtime friends? Destined lovers?” Her words were like a lighthearted tease, but there was an edge to her curiosity.
Jeremiah’s grip tightened on the wheel, and a feeling of unease spread through him. He had always been able to handle Yvette’s sharp wit, but this time felt different. His heart rate picked up, and he thought to himself, Is this what trouble feels like? He slowed the car, trying to buy himself some time, and reached out to hold her hand with one of his, though his touch was hesitant.
His voice dropped into a low, almost sheepish tone as he replied, “What kind of labels are those? Samantha is Andrew’s sister. We grew up together. Our families tried to set us up a few times, but it never worked out. Neither of us felt anything for each other.”
Yvette, still looking out the window, arched an eyebrow in amusement. “Your grandpa, huh?” she prodded gently. “But you didn’t like her?”
Jeremiah coughed awkwardly, trying to keep the mood light. “Well, it was mostly my grandpa’s idea, honestly. He’s always been the one pushing for it. But trust me, it was never anything serious. We were just kids.”
Yvette turned her gaze back to him, her eyes calm, and said simply, “I see. Just focus on driving.”
With that, the subject seemed to be closed, and Yvette leaned back into her seat, stretching her legs beneath her blanket. But inside, Jeremiah was still processing the weight of her words. She’s not angry. She’s just… playing with me. But there was a knot in his stomach that he couldn’t shake off.
Meanwhile, at Sky Nimbus, things were far from calm. Inside one of the private rooms, Jared Welch, ever the instigator, had just casually mentioned Samantha’s name during a conversation. Immediately, the room went dead silent. The people gathered there — some of the most powerful in the region — realized they had just stepped into dangerous territory.
Joel Turner, one of the few who had Jeremiah’s personal number, was now staring at his phone with growing anxiety. “Jared, what were you thinking?” he hissed, his face flushed with embarrassment. “Why would you bring up Samantha right now, of all times? You know how sensitive that is with Yvette around.”
Jared, ever the optimist (or perhaps just oblivious), waved it off, shrugging. “What’s the big deal? It’s just a name.”
But the others weren’t having it. The tension in the room was palpable. They knew too well the consequences of crossing certain lines, especially when it came to Jeremiah and his relationships.
Joel, who had been the one speaking to Jeremiah on the phone, was still looking uneasy. “Jared, you really messed this up. Mentioning Samantha with Yvette sitting right there — that’s not something you do. Do you not understand the position you’ve put us all in?”
The others began murmuring their discontent, their faces filled with regret. “Jared, you’ve really done it this time,” one of them muttered. “You’ve practically signed your own death warrant with that slip-up. Good luck with that.”
Jared, realizing the gravity of the situation, began to backpedal. “What’s wrong with you guys? I’m fine! It’s not like anything’s going to happen. It was just a slip of the tongue.”
But Joel, now visibly frustrated, held up his phone again, showing Jared the conversation with Jeremiah. “Do you not get it? She was sitting right there. You mentioned Samantha in front of Jeremiah’s girlfriend. This is bigger than just a slip-up. This is serious.”
At that, Jared’s face went pale. This is bad. He glanced around the room, seeing the anxious looks on the faces of his friends. There was no way out now. I’ve really done it.
Without another word, Jared quickly stood up and made a beeline for the door, his face flushed with panic. Everyone else in the room watched him with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
“What is he doing?” one of them whispered. “He’s running away!”
And sure enough, Jared was trying to escape — but it was too late. Just as he reached for the door handle, the door swung open with a sudden force.
She entered.
Samantha.
Her long flaxen hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. She was stunning, not in the overtly seductive way, but with a quiet, dignified elegance that demanded attention. Her features were flawless, her eyes piercing, and her posture graceful. In her long black dress from Vibe’s latest collection, she exuded an effortless aura of sophistication and poise.
The room fell into an awed silence. Every man present seemed to stop breathing, their eyes locked on her, each of them struck by her beauty. They all knew it was pointless. There was no competing with someone like Samantha. If Jeremiah was the unattainable dream for women in Betrico, Samantha was the dream that men couldn’t even hope to touch.
Jared, trying to compose himself, muttered nervously, “Samantha, you’re here.”
Samantha took in the room with a calm gaze. Her eyes flicked over each person, but when they landed on Jared, a small, knowing smile curled at her lips. She seemed to acknowledge him, but her attention quickly moved to the center of the room, where the others instinctively made space for her.
As she walked towards the sofa, the others scrambled to make sure she was comfortable. They poured her a glass of vodka — something they knew she preferred. The men were eager to please, though it was clear they were all a little on edge in her presence.
Jared, now visibly deflated, slumped into the corner, trying to act casual but failing miserably. He had wanted to escape, but now that Samantha had arrived, there was no way out. He looked at the door, his gaze desperate, almost like a lover waiting for a kiss. But it wasn’t a kiss he was waiting for — it was something far worse.
Samantha, completely oblivious to his discomfort, settled into the center of the room. The attention of every man in the room shifted towards her. Even the beautiful models who had come with the others seemed to fade into the background. Samantha’s presence had completely overshadowed them.
It was as though she had always been the sun, and they were the planets, orbiting her effortlessly. It wasn’t a matter of beauty alone; it was the effortless way she commanded the room, the confidence that radiated from her every move.
As the others tried to regain their composure, the tension in the room remained thick. There was no question now: Samantha had arrived, and with her, a storm of emotions.
4o
