Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Double the price and return it.

Samantha had changed into a comfy set of home clothes, ready to order food, only to find out her sister's phone didn't even have a delivery app.

Her stomach growled louder by the second. Even if she started downloading the app now, by the time the food arrived, she'd probably be crawling from hunger.

Everyone downstairs was still waiting to watch her crash and burn. She muttered a curse under her breath. But starving herself? Not in a million years. With a sigh, she turned and headed for the kitchen.

Without sparing anyone a glance, Samantha walked in like she owned the place. She dug through the fridge and found two eggs, some lettuce, a few slices of ham, and a bottle of salad dressing.

After a bit of messing around, she whipped up a giant burger. She bit into it like she hadn't eaten in days, grabbed an ice-cold bottle of cola, and strolled toward the stairs-all casual and chill.

"Wait, that was... Mrs. Perkins?" Lucas Bennett, standing beside Alexander, scratched his head, looking like he'd just seen a ghost. "Boss, did she get possessed or something?"

Caitlin had always been the picture of grace around the house-flawless makeup, elegant dresses, and so sweet it made your teeth hurt.

But that woman just now? Hair in a messy bun, cotton pajamas that screamed 'I'm staying in,' chugging cola and munching on a burger like it was no big deal? Really?

Alexander didn't even bother replying. He dropped back onto the couch, flipped open his laptop, and forced himself to ignore the odd feeling creeping up inside.

This woman... she wasn't who she used to be. And for once, he couldn't just pretend she didn't exist.

It was a weird feeling.

For the first time, Samantha actually felt... intriguing.

-

After scarfing down the food, Samantha crashed on the bed and dozed off for a bit. But the buzzing sound of a vacuum jolted her awake.

The noise kept starting and stopping, on and off, peppered with whispers outside the door.

"Think this'll wake her?" one voice murmured. "She's acting different lately. I don't wanna mess with her."

"Scared of what? Seriously? She's got no weight in this house. Remember what Mrs. Perkins said about her? No way she's got any real backbone."

"Exactly. She didn't speak up before, she won't now..."

Before the sentence was even finished, Samantha yanked the door open. She leaned lazily against the frame, eyes cool, lips tugging into a sardonic smile.

"Turn it off. That noise? Drives me nuts."

One of the younger maids, Eliza, clearly feeling bold, crossed her arms with a sneer. "Wow, a little fussy, aren't we? Can't handle a bit of sound? If you're so tough, why not yell at Mr. Perkins instead?"

Samantha sighed and brushed her hair back, looking downright amused. Kids these days really had nerve.

"What's your name again?"

"Eliza. Why? Gonna go cry to the boss now? Go ahead, he won't-"

Eliza wasn't scared of this 'lady of the house.' Back then, even if she got sassy, the other one would just smile awkwardly and back off.

People trample the timid and bow to the tough-always have, always will. Nice doesn't protect you from being stepped on.

Samantha had learned that lesson well.

A faint scorn curled her lips. Caitlin's sweet nature had made her an easy target for these two-faced brats.

She lazily raised a finger and wagged it slightly. "Nah, I don't run to people. That's not my style. If I've got a problem, I deal with it then and there."

Her eyes sharpened. She walked forward, planting her foot squarely on the vacuum head. Locking eyes with Eliza, she said each word slow and cool, "Learn this: I treat people how they treat me. Act like trash, and I'll show you exactly what that looks like."Without another word, she yanked the vacuum hose off and slammed it onto Eliza's mouth, pushing her hard against the wall while lifting one leg to press down on her shoulder.

"Mmm! Mmm!" Eliza freaked out, thrashing wildly, clawing at the hose trying to get it off her face.

The other two maids were stunned for half a second, then panicked and rushed over to pull Samantha off. But before they got close, she kicked one left and the other right-both went flying.

Samantha yanked the hose out of Eliza's mouth and grabbed her by the neck. Her flawless face was ice-cold, eyes glinting with a ruthless edge. She leaned in, voice chilling. "I said-no vacuums. Use a broom and sweep every corner. Get it?"

Eliza was in total shock, her mouth raw and burning.

How... how could that timid lady be acting like this? Eliza froze up, completely blank.

Smack.

A loud slap echoed. Samantha sneered, her smile sharp. "I don't repeat myself. I asked-do you understand?"

"Y-yes! Yes! I get it, I get it!" Eliza clutched her cheek, totally terrified.

"Perfect. Then throw that vacuum off the second floor," Samantha said coolly, her gaze sweeping across all three terrified maids like a blade.

"Huh? Y-you want us to toss it?" Eliza was stunned. Another maid hesitated. "But... Mr. Perkins is downstairs..."

"Well, that's your problem," Samantha shrugged with mock innocence, taking slow steps toward them. "If you won't do it, I guess I'll have to teach you another lesson."

This woman... was like a demon!

"Y-yes, ma'am!" All three of them went pale. Shivering, they wheeled the vacuum to the upstairs railing, shut their eyes tight, and shoved it over.

Bang-

A loud crash followed. Pieces of the vacuum smashed apart on the floor below. It didn't hit Alexander, but some fragments flew dangerously close to his feet.

Everyone in the living room looked up, stunned. None of them expected 'Mrs. Perkins' to be casually enjoying the show from upstairs.

"Caitlin, are you out of your mind?" Alexander glanced upward, his tone icy.

"Just throwing out some trash," Samantha said with a smirk, arms crossed as she leaned over the railing, eyes on fire with arrogance. "You've got way too much junk lying around."

The atmosphere froze. Everyone downstairs felt the pressure explode, anxiously waiting for Alexander to flip.

"Go clean it up. Now." His voice was so cold it sent shivers through the room.

But Samantha didn't flinch. She let out a small snort and looked completely unfazed. "Why should I? Wasn't me who threw it."

Alexander frowned, clearly thrown off. Caitlin used to be a doormat-timid, quiet, always agreeable. Now, she was flat-out brushing him off. Like she didn't care.

"I won't repeat myself," he said, tone low, eyes sharper than knives.

Upstairs, the three maids all wore weird expressions. Were Mr. and Mrs. Perkins competing on who could be more intimidating? Even their lines were perfectly in sync...

"No need to repeat it-'cause I'm not listening anyway," Samantha fired back with a raised chin and a defiant flick of her hair before turning and strutting away, leaving nothing but an arrogant back view for Alexander to stare at.

Something inside him twisted. Why was he suddenly this irritated? Her reaction wasn't just bold-it was straight-up dare-you-to-punish-me energy.

No one had ever spoken to him like that.

But she? She'd done it multiple times, like it was a game.

Had she lost her mind?