“Why are you scared?” Benjamin asked with concern, and Sophia continued, “Father, you remember that she is still connected with the naked pictures on the school platform. The scandal had affected me because I am her relation.”
When her mother observed that she was downcast, she considered that Hazel should have been dead, and set out to console her, “Sophia. Do not let that bother you. The ugly witch is no longer part of the Martin’s family. Did you get it?”
“I got it, mom, but…”
However, Sophia, was convinced by her mother’s consolation, but she wondered how the ugly impression that Hazel’s misconduct had brought to the family could be erased completely, and complained. Then, her mother cut her short, and attempted to clear her doubts, “No need to worry about the scandal that she plunged the family into. Your mother has all it takes to redeem the family’s reputation. You will come out of it unscathed.”
At last, Sophia, who believed so much in her mother’s proficiency, cheered up at once. Then, she commended her mother, “I trust your capabilities, mom. You are the best.”
Meanwhile, it was actually Sophia, who had put the family’s integrity on the line. She was the brain behind Hazel's nude photographs' publication on the school platform, which led to the expulsion of her step-sister.
Subsequently, their father, who was a noble man, was disappointed in his daughter for bringing such a disgrace to the family. That day before he disowned her, the distraught Benjamin yelled at her, “Hazel, you are such an embarrassment. How can you be associated with such a despicable act?” Now that Sophia had mentioned Hazel’s name, the crafty Michelle stole a glance at her husband to study his mood. Then, she walked back to her seat, and announced, “I beg of you, don’t ruin this beautiful evening with her story. Everyone, eat your food.”
Meanwhile, to distract her husband from giving Hazel a thought, she served him his favorite chicken soup, and cheered him up, “Sweetheart, take your favorite. I prepared it especially for you.”
Now, Benjamin smiled broadly, and collected the bowl of the chicken soup from her, and appreciated, “Thank you, my love. That is very thoughtful of you.”
Subsequently, they continued to eat their food joyously in silence. After a couple of seconds, the desperate Sophia dropped her cutlery, and looked at her father. Then, she called out, and broached the topic that had been bothering her, “Father.”
Nevertheless, Sir Benjamin, who was savoring his chicken soup with delight, felt disturbed, and wrinkled his forehead. Without considering her father's worries, she continued, “The family head of the Walter’s family is about to pick a wife for his grandson.”
“Yes. I am aware,” her father responded sharply, and concentrated on his meal. Then, Sophia carried on happily, “Wow! I am happy that you are aware. All the same, my big sister, is in a relationship, and based on the agreement between my grandfather and his, I feel I am the right person to be the Young Lady of the Walter’s Family. How do you see it, father?”
Now, her father, was not in the position to speak on the subject, so, he cast her a searching look, and kept mute. He was acquainted with the circumstances of the position of the Young Lady of the Walter’s Family, and was careful to comment on it. Most of the prominent Family Heads, both within and abroad, including Irene, wished that their daughters should occupy that position. Apart from that, there were many glamour ladies, who had their eyes on the Young Prince too. For that reason, Benjamin did not see the possibility of his daughters winning in the competition. Now, Sophia had intimidated her elder sister by pointing out that she had a boyfriend. She had subtly warned her to stay away from the contest. Then, Ella, who had been eating silently, only glared at her, and continued with her meal.
Likewise, her mother seemed to have everything under control, and assured her, “Sophia, do not lose sleep over that because the matter had been settled. The Family Head of the Walter’s Family had hinted to us that his future daughter-in-law would not come from any other family, but from ours. When you become the Young Lady of the famous family, and give birth to a son, you will inherit the entire clan of the Martin’s family. Then, you will rise to fame beyond the Bahamas, the United States of America and the entire world. We may even be too inferior to be associated with you.”
When Sophia heard her mother’s declaration, she raised her chin in pride, and her shoulder became high like a peacock. Now, she was on cloud nine, as though she was already married to the Young Prince, who had always been her desire. Now, her father, who had listened keenly to his wife over the matter, had to play along because he did not wish to discourage her, so, he spoke, “Sophia, your mother is right. For now, eat your food. I will discuss with your mother later. Tomorrow, she will take you out for shopping, and you will pick some sets of dinner gowns to prepare for…”
“Boom.” Hazel had come to attend to one or two things, just as she informed Alfred. Now, Benjamin was not yet through with his speech when the unexpected happened. The janitor ran into the parlor with trepidation, and walked briskly to the dining table. Likewise, he called out, “Sir… Lady….” The words hardly left the janitor’s mouth when they heard a sudden loud noise from the door again, “Boom.”
In the middle of the chaos, Benjamin stood up from his seat to find out what was troubling the janitor, and saw a black casket flying into the house.
“Oh! My God,” his wife, who had seen the casket too, screamed, and attempted to hide under the dining table. Now, the daughters stood up, and tried to process what was going on. Suddenly, they saw the strange casket shatter into pieces in the middle of the tiled floor. Then, the family was frightened to their bones because such could only happen when the spirit of the dead, who was denied justice, returned with fury to demand for one. Subsequently, the family, who was astounded by the abnormal occurrence, saw Hazel putting on a mourning cloth, and walking in through the door. The mysterious wind which accompanied the strange casket swayed her scary mourning clothes from left to the right. At that instant, the annoying purple birthmarks which had disfigured her face could not be spotted.
Nevertheless, the sight of the shattered casket left Benjamin astounded. Meanwhile, the infallible Michelle, who had answers to every problem, was hiding under the table with her daughters. She peeped, and saw Hazel, and was scared. Then, she mustered energy, and crawled out of her hiding like a cat, glared at Hazel, and demanded, “Hazel, what is the meaning of this, and what are you doing here?”
Now, Hazel stared at her with a killing intent, and asked sarcastically, “Do you really wish to know what I am doing here? Does it baffle you that I am still alive, against your wish?”
Now, Michelle was startled by Hazel’s boldness, and looked at her husband, who was also surprised. She had kept away the fact that she drugged Hazel, and took her to over a dozen of men to defile her from her husband. Likewise, she thought that the men had succeeded, and that Hazel was dead. Now, that her plans failed, she was afraid that Hazel had returned to expose her.
Meanwhile, since there was no witness to her acts, and Hazel would not have any evidence to prove her claim, she became unnecessarily bold, and asked, “How dare you disrespect me, Hazel? What are you talking about? You were disowned by this family because of your repulsive behavior, which had dented the image of this noble family. Now you have shamelessly returned to accuse my wrongly. You must be out of your mind.”