Chapter 1

Samantha was fuming. She grudgingly opened her email to check the message that Dr. Miller, the HOD of the department of accountancy, of the Sterling University of Technology had sent to her.

"It's Friday night for goodness sake! Can't I have just this one night to myself!?" She screamed hysterically like a kid throwing tantrum inside her empty hostel room. The tiny hair clips she used in pinning her dark wild curls to the top of her head came flying everywhere.

When she was exhausted, she sat staring blankly at the computer in front of her with her chin propped on her hand, cursing Dr. Miller in her mind. She was supposed to be having fun with her boyfriend but here she was, all alone in her room, pretty sure she was the only one left on her floor.

She was already dressed for the TGIF party that her hostel, The Scholar suite usually organized every Friday night. She was about to step out with her friends when she received the hateful call from Dr. Miller asking her to check her mail, that he would call her back in twenty minutes for questions and further instructions.

Dr. Miller was not just the HOD of her department, he was also her father's most trusted friend and her mentor in the accounting field, as so declared by her father. Not that she needed any mentorship from an outsider, especially when her family was filled with Ph.D. holders. Her family members just preferred to keep her at arm's length.

They want absolutely nothing to do with her and would rather give the responsibility of her care to another person than deal with her themselves. Except for her dear grandma, Mama Silver who took care of her since when she was a baby.

Samantha never understood why she had to live with her grandma when her parents stayed in the same city with them until when she was six years old. The whole family and some family friends were gathered at her grandma's house for new year's eve dinner. It was there she overheard a conversation where her mother said...

'Sam was a mistake I would have aborted, if not for Mama Silver that advised me against it, and also offered to take care of her. I don't want the burden of another child right now that my career is at its peak.'

Her six-year-old brain knew what a mistake was but couldn't grasp the meaning of that word 'abort' so she checked her dictionary and saw... 'Terminate. Bring to a premature end.'

She was not wanted! No wonder they dumped her with her grandma when she was just a baby and hardly come to check on her. They always have one excuse or the other as to why they couldn't visit or why they forgot about her birthdays.

Even though she started hating her parents from that day, a little part of her still yearned for their love and affection. She waited and waited for them to love her the way they do her siblings but it never came.

Growing up, she was deliberately troublesome and mischievous at school just so she could get their attention. So they could have a conversation with her at least. After each atrocity, she knew the school authority would insist for her parents to come to school if they don't want her expelled.

Instead of the attention she craved, she got disappointing glares from them... And sometimes they would scream and call her a disappointment to the name Da-Silva in front of everyone present. To her family, Samantha was like those dregs you see at the bottom of the coffee cup that you washed down the drain. She was the most undesirable member of the family.

Even her twins' elder siblings, Daniel and Daniella were no better. They were fifteen years older than her... Who wants a kid sister at fifteen right? She only got to see all of them during Christmas and new year celebrations and that was because Mama Silver insisted on the whole family spending the holidays together.

Even at that, they still wouldn't be alone with her long enough to strike a conversation. She and her family are now at a point where Samantha no longer cares. To her, the only family she has is her grandmother.

Samantha Rose Da-Silva was twenty years old and in her final semester at the Sterling Federal University, California. She was exceptionally beautiful. Even more than her mother who once won the Miss Universe pageant during her time.

She might not be as tall as her mom, but she was fairer in complexion with the kind of curves that emphasizes the boobs, narrow waist, and perfectly wide curvy hips. Apart from being beautiful, Samantha was also exceptionally brilliant. She was the best student in her department, and also was the student with the best overall CGPA in the whole school.

"Uughh!" She groaned in frustration when she saw the email contained almost a hundred likely interview questions that Dr. Miller felt the CEO of Salvadorian Empire might ask her at the interview on Monday. She made a show of lightly banging her head on her desk before cursing her mentor in her mind.

'The CEO of the Salvadorian empire interview interns!?... Yeah, fat chance!'

She already told the stubborn old man several times and even forwarded the mail she got in reply to her application that all interns would be interviewed by one of the company managers. She wouldn't even make it to the presence of any of the directors but her mentor thought otherwise.

It's either he was just too damn stubborn or he just believed in her ability to aced all tests to the extent of securing herself a good position in the company. An undergraduate securing a position that is better than an internship at the Salvadorian empire!? That's very unlikely to happen.

Dr. Miller said the Salvadorian empire would serve as a good learning ground for her to gain enough experience before joining her own family's company.

'Why can't I learn at my family's company!? Why do I need to go gain experience in somebody else's company before joining the company that belongs to my father!?'

Samantha once wondered to herself before asking Dr. Miller. But the old man had no answer for her. He just looked away, covering her question with another question.

Samantha laughed knowingly to herself when she remembered the previous day's discussion with Dr. Miller. She made a promise there and then while going through the interview questions that she would try her damnedest to aced all the tests.

Even if she didn't manage to get the position her mentor anticipated now because she was just an undergraduate, then she would work hard and get it in the nearest future. She would be successful on her own and would never go back to the Silver corporations. Not even if they all beg her on their knees. She would never go back!

Salvadorian empire was a multinational business group in America, the biggest in the country. Even bigger than her family's Silver corporation. They pretty much had their hands in everything that would bring money, power, and fame to them... Politics, oil and gas, entertainment industry, name it.

Even if she managed to pass all the tests, Samantha prayed that the CEO would not be part of the interview team. The old, CEO was rumored to be a mean, grouchy, slave driver. 'God, I don't wish to cross-part with another grouchy old man. My father is enough to last me a lifetime.'

About ten minutes later, she was already engrossed in the questions and halfway through when her phone started ringing. She unknowingly swore at the unknown person for the disturbance. This was why she would always study at night to avoid any form of distraction. That's the thing about Samantha, she loved studying as much as she loved partying.

[Justine is not with me if that's the reason why you're calling] She picked the call and said curtly to Ty one of her boyfriend's numerous friends.

[I know where Justine is...] Ty chuckled and replied softly before Samantha rudely cut him off mid-sentence.

[Then why are you calling!? I've told you gazillion times already that what you're asking is impossible. I can never and will never date you, and I might be forced to tell Justine...]

[I'm not calling because of that Sam calm down and hear me out please.] He interrupted her mid-sentence. [I know you don't believe me the first time I told you about Justine and Diane. I think you should come right now and see for yourself.

[See what for myself!?...] She asked, even though she knew what he was driving at.

[They are alone together right now. They got a room at the Lakes hotel beside the club where we're having the TGIF party. I know you still don't believe me because you trust your friend so much, and I seem to be the evil person who wants to destroy your relationship with them... I'm just saying you deserve better Sam.

Okay, why don't you prove me wrong and come right now to the hotel? They are in room 104. I've made arrangements at the reception. They would hand you an envelope which contains their room's key card when you arrive.

And if you think I might be up to some hanky panky, then bring a friend along with you. Don't just sit and assume everything is well Sam... Hurry! I'll see you later.]