Mommy, Where's Daddy? The Forsaken Daughter's Return

Chapter 62: Shameful!

From within the Fort Eagle Military Camp, the biggest estate, an old home of the Davis family, had helpers scrambling left and right in preparation for Samantha's return.

"What is all this? Why have you invited some of Sam's previous classmates? Even Clayton and his family are here," Winfield Davis probed with his brows drawn together, seeing so many people gathered in their dining room that ten-thirty in the morning.

"Well, Winfield. This is your daughter's official return to the mansion. We thought it would be nice for her to meet up with old friends and see familiar faces," suggested Catherine Davis. "I even invited some of your relatives, coming from the Davis side!"

"Today is a day for Samantha to rejoice, coming back to this home!" Catherine exclaimed. "That's why we prepared so much food!"

She smiled at Winfield Davis before saying, "I can't wait to see her!"

It baffled Winfield how his wife was so eager to see Samantha. Sure, it was her idea to end the long years of silence between them, but as far as he could recall, she was never ambitious to see his daughter since the conflict between Samantha and Annie came about.

He could not help but remark, "How easy it is for you to shift your mood now that Sam is Ethan Wright's wife."

Catherine leaned back at his words. She looked around before answering, "We can't help it. It's amazing how she became Ethan's wife, but since she is, we can't be in conflict with the Wrights. Besides, it's like I said... I'm sure Sam had regretted her mistakes."

She caressed the arms of her husband and suggested, "Let's move on from here. Why don't you take your seat and have some appetizer while waiting for your daughter?"

Winfield was unsure if this was the best welcome, especially since there are still matters that he and his daughter have not covered. Samantha's arrival was supposed to be a time for them to have a proper talk, more than to celebrate. However, he did not also have the heart to push away the people who were already present.

He simply took his seat and entertained the probing of Clayton's father.

Just as they were having a busy discussion, the maids came in to announce, "General, madam, a really nice car has arrived."

"Oh, that must be them!" Catherine turned to Annie and suggested, "Let's go meet them! Come on, Winfield!"

The three of them walked in the direction of the door, but to their surprise, only Amanda and Daniel Wright came out of the luxury Audi.

Amanda, in her alluring and elegant stance, looked up to Winfield and said, "Long time to no see, Winfield."

"I could say the same, Amanda," answered the general.

"Right. These are Ethan's parents! The famous, Daniel and Amanda Wright!" Catherine eagerly remarked with a smile. "Who could ever forget how the great Daniel Wright gave rise to the biggest corporation in the city!"

Forcing a smile, Daniel walked towards the mansion door with his wife. He answered, "Thank you for the compliments."

Daniel extended his hand first to the general and told, "It has been a long time, Winfield. Who would have thought our children would end up... getting married."

"Daniel, Amanda. It's nice to see you again," said Winfield. "This is my wife, Catherine and my other daughter, Annie."

Annie and Catherine fell bemused at the familiarity the two parties were giving to each other. Catherine could not help but probe, "You seem to... know each other well."

"Yes, we do," said Winfield.

"I can't believe you forgot, Catherine. Well, I can't blame, you. Back then, my husband was still the new CEO of the Wright Diamond Corporation." Amanda offered her hand to Catherine and said, "I came here once and introduced myself as Sarah's friend."

Shifting her gaze to Winfield, Amanda revealed, "Your wife did not allow me to see Samantha back then."

While Winfield frowned, Catherine burst into laughter. She frowned as she turned to Winfield and said, "I - I don't remember and I must have forgotten already." She sneered and added, "There were so many people who introduced themselves as Sarah's friend and I was just being protective of Sam back then!"

When a realization hit her, Catherine asked, "So... so you knew Samantha."

"Of course, I am... her godmother," Amanda answered with a smile.

Both the jaws of Annie and Catherine dropped. They were planning to ruin Samantha in the face of Ethan's parents, but now they weren't sure if that was still possible.

"You - you are Sam's godmother?" Annie repeated with a trembling voice.

"Yes, I am," Amanda answered.

Turning to the general, Amanda added, "Sam and Ethan are running late. There was a problem in their house that cause their delayed departure. So we can have a little chat while waiting for them."

"I see. Well, I suppose, we could catch up," said Winfield.

They all made their way to the dining table, introducing Daniel and Amanda Wright to everyone.

Pleasantries were exchanged, and special attention was given to Matilda by Amanda.

Once again, the sweet conversation between Matilda Davis and Amanda Wright made Catherine reluctant, but she had to try. For her daughter's sake and for her plans, she had to try to taint Samantha's reputation and put Annie on a pedestal.

While they were savoring fruits and some cheese platters with wine, Catherine suddenly brought up Samantha's past. She said to the Wright couple, "You know Amanda and Daniel. We are so thankful that despite Samantha's mistake in the past."

She sneered and added, "You know... having slept with a stranger who was supposedly an ugly old man. You - you still managed to accept her as a daughter-in-law. We were so worried that Samantha would never find someone who will accept her."

"Catherine!" Winfield warned. "Why are you bringing this up in front of everyone?"

Acting to be puzzled, Catherine turned to the Wrights and to all the guests. She covered her mouth with her hand and said, "I'm sorry. I - I was just - Oh my goodness!"

Directing her words to Amanda and Daniel, she assumed, "You did not know about this? I - I thought you knew since Sam is married to Ethan?"

Adding more to the creased on her forehead, Catherine suggested, "That child! She never learned! Winfield wound up throwing her out of the house because of what she did. I never thought she

would lie about the circumstances of her child!"

It was because Amanda and Daniel remained quiet that Catherine jumped to conclusions. Despite the warning coming from Winfield, she continued talking because Amanda and Daniel did not stop her at all.

In fact, Amanda encouraged, "Go on. Tell me more."

Annie, this time, became eager to add to the tale, seeing the interest coming from Amanda Wright. She reported, "It was a terrible mistake that Samantha did. While attending a wedding party, she went with another man into his room - an old ugly man and that was how she got pregnant with a child whom we have never seen by the way."

A loud thud became audible from Winfield's end as he slammed his hand against the surface of the table. He demanded, "Why are we talking about this? I thought this lunch was to welcome Sam back into our home!"

"Oh, but Winfield. It's only fair that the Wrights know about Samantha's past. They have every right to know!" Catherine turned to the Browns and Samantha's classmates in the military academy and added, "As for the others, they already know about this."

"It's okay, Winfield, let them speak," encouraged Amanda.

Matilda, who was trying to calm herself in one corner of the table, just drank juice, knowing how it will all backfire soon. Still, she was angered at what Catherine and Annie were doing. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"Yes, and what was really worse was how Samantha never knew about the man she slept with!" Catherine leaned closer from across the table to Amanda and Daniel. Only then did she tell, "As punishment, Winfield had to kick Sam out of our home, hoping that she would reflect on her mistakes."

"It's because you fed my son these ideas!" Matilda finally spoke, throwing a glare at Catherine.

"Why, of course, mother! Please," Catherine countered. "Sam needed to learn from her mistake!"

They all heard Amanda take a deep breath. For seconds, she closed her eyes and had her hands on the table; her face turning bright red.

After some time, she fluttered her eyes open and announced, "I think... that is just terrible."

A smile crept onto Catherine's and Annie's face while Winfield fell distracted.

The rest of the guests from within the dining area of the Davises fell worried for what will come out of Amanda Wright's mouth. Everyone turned to Amanda, waiting for her to resume her thoughts.

Clearing her throat, Amanda told, "You know, I can still perfectly remember the words of one of Ethan's godparents. Senator Haris? Yes, he is Ethan's godparent. He is a good example to us all, being a parent and an advocate for familial needs."

Amanda smiled as she looked into the eyes of everyone at the table. She said, "Senator Haris told me and Daniel before that being a parent is a lifelong responsibility. It doesn't stop when our children are old enough to make decisions on their own."

"I'm sure, Mr. and Mrs. Brown still give a word of advice to their son at this age, right?" Amanda probed, hoping to get the Brown's reaction.

"Um, yes. Yes, we do," answered Ingrid Brown.

"Yes. See?" Amanda turned to Catherine before looking into Winfield's eyes. She said, "In fact the scriptures says, train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it."

"You see... as responsible and loving parents, we should not abandon our children during the days they need us the most." With a frown on Amanda's face, she added, "If that were the decisions that we all make, then what is the purpose of us parents?"

Amanda closed her speech, nearly raising her voice. A hint of anger clearly reflected in her tone. "I think! It's a shame that you both had thrown Samantha out of the house in her most trying times! You have shamed the role of a parent!"