At the Old Mansion
914 Words
The next morning, Claire arrived at the company in high spirits. Her beauty turned heads as employees greeted her, impressed by her presence. She made her way straight to her office, where her friendly coworkers complimented her, and she absorbed their praise positively.
Later, Samantha knocked on her door, asking for the documents related to the Blue Street project. Outside, several employees eavesdropped, anxious that Claire might relinquish the hard earned project just as she had done in the past. To their surprise, Claire stood her ground and firmly refused.
Fuming, Samantha stormed out, while the employees scattered like ants, fearing her wrath.
During the tea break, Claire was preparing to leave when her mother, Myra, burst in and slapped her hard across the face.
“Why did you break off the engagement with Erick? Do you know how furious your grandfather is? Hand over the project to Samantha so that her mother can plead with your grandfather on you behalf , or we’ll be thrown out into the streets!” Myra shouted, trying to drag Claire away.
This time, Claire refused to budge. If Samantha wanted to claim everything for herself, she would face the consequences.
Claire’s heart ached as she thought back to her childhood at a time when she had to sacrifice her desires to accommodate Samantha, the legitimate daughter. Was it her fault that she had been born a mistress’s child?
In her mind, Claire replayed a painful memory from when she was sixteen. Her grandfather had punished her for refusing to give up the lead role in a school play to Samantha, forcing her to kneel outside at the front porch in the freezing winter. It was only after her caring grandmother had pleaded on her behalf that she was allowed inside after she had fainted.
This time, Claire would not be dragged back. She left her office and drove to the old family mansion. Upon arrival, she willingly knelt at the front porch , determined to pay the price for her defiance. The sun beat down mercilessly, and sweat streamed down her face as she looked pale and exhausted.
“Please, Claire! Why are you doing this to yourself?” her grandmother pleaded, her eyes filled with concern. “Can’t you do this for me?”
“Grandma, why should I give up my hard earned project to Samantha just because she wants it? It’s not just my effort; it’s the hard work of everyone in my department. How is that fair?” Claire cried bitterly.
Just then, Samantha arrived, followed by her mother, Helima, and Claire’s mother, Myra.
“Claire, why are you torturing yourself like this? Let’s go inside and talk to Grandpa. I’ll explain to Erick that I don’t need the project anymore,” Samantha begged, tears streaming down her face Infront of her grandmother.
“Don’t bother. You don’t have to plead for this wicked child,” their grandfather sneered, arriving just in time. “She’s trying to ruin our family and the old generation company by provoking the Martin Group.”
“Let’s go inside before you get sunburned,” he continued, ignoring Claire’s presence. “Leave this ungrateful brat here.” He approached Claire, raising his walking stick to strike her, but Samantha intervened.
As they entered the mansion, Samantha turned back, a smug smile on her face. Claire brushed off the comment, knowing that the innocent facade would soon be revealed for what it was.
“Claire, how could you provoke your father?” Myra pinched Claire harshly. “You’re the reason we’re in this mess! Do you want us to lose everything?”
“Mom, can’t we leave this family? We could go back to your hometown, or even relocate abroad and live comfortably. I have saved enough for the two of us to live comfortable.
They’ve treated us like outsiders for years. Aren’t you tired of it? Don't you see how Helima treats you like her dog ?” Claire pleaded, her heart aching for freedom.
Myra slapped Claire again, her face flushed with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that? You’re the one who created this mess! Know you want to run away without clearing your mess.”
As Myra raised her hand for another slap, Erick appeared, his heart stirred with undescribable feeling but it quickly disparred when he saw Claire’s pitiful state, for a minute he felt like strangling Myra for helping Claire,but the feeling quickly vanished.
After Myra left, Erick turned to Claire. “If you give Samantha the project, I’ll forget what you said yesterday. I even ordered you a gown for the upcoming charity event, and you can be my date.”
Claire’s heart sank. In the past, such words from him would have brought her joy, but now, she wanted no part of a love that felt forced and conditional. The gown he had arranged would likely be a cheap imitation of Samantha’s dress, and she refused to be the second choice, forever standing in her sister’s shadow.
People in the upper class always looked down on her because they thought she was trying to imitate her sister, without knowing it was Erickson who ordered the gowns .
When Claire didn’t respond and continued to give him the cold shoulder.vErick turned away, frustrated by her silence. As he walked inside, he couldn’t help but wonder why Samantha was so determined to have the project but quickly dismissed the thought.
- Writer
