Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red

Samantha overslept and missed school. Though she disliked going to school because of her mean classmates, she still forced herself to wake up early and drag her feet to attend her classes every day. It was the first time she had a sleepover, though her companions were clearly not around when she woke up.

She found a note written by Adriene on the dining table with two paper bags containing a change of clothes and some food for her to eat. She sat down and ate in silence, occasionally glancing at the time. It was ten in the morning, and she knew it would take some time before Adrienne and Myrtle returned from school.

After finishing her meal and cleaning Myrtle's kitchen, Samantha bathed and decided to do her homework and review for an upcoming exam. She had already brought inconvenience to Adrienne and Myrtle, and she didn't want to be seen as useless by her older brother.

Her pen stopped as she thought about it. Samantha knew that she wasn't the only child Richard Qin had out of wedlock. She wasn't sure how many were out there, but she knew who Lennox Qin was.

When she was younger, she searched for Lennox Qin online and was surprised at how outstanding he was. At a young age, he had been an exceptional student - earning multiple awards in local and international competitions. Even when he turned eighteen, Lennox had already been involved in and was working at Qin Corporation - earning decent money for himself.

Samantha knew she wasn't anything like him, but she wanted to be self-sufficient. They shared the same father, but clearly, they were both raised differently. One was given everything, while the other was kicked to the curb and abandoned. Their upbringing was different, and their chances in life were complete opposites despite sharing the same father.

Then suddenly, Lennox came into her life through Adrienne. Was it because of their father's sudden death, or was there another reason for it?

Samantha pushed these thoughts aside and continued studying. She wasn't good at anything but studying. However, she couldn't stop thinking of the unknown. Given her living arrangements, her grades were inconsistent with her actual ability in school. Her life was about to change, yet she was scared of what would await her after this. She wasn't oblivious to the internal war within the Qin family and what would happen to her if she got involved with him.

It was already 2 PM when she lowered her pen after hearing her stomach grumble. She went to the fridge and heated her lunch in the microwave, checking her phone with a broken screen for any messages, but there were none. Her mother would throw a fit if she found out she wasn't home.

'It doesn't matter. She would find another reason to beat me anyway.'

After waiting for two more hours, the front door opened, revealing Adrienne with her driver bringing several bags with them. Samantha recognized the few famous brands and logos printed on them. Was this a common occurrence for a young mistress from a wealthy family? It must have cost Adrienne a fortune for all of these purchases.

"Myrte wouldn't be home until seven, so I came home before her. See if the clothes are to your liking, Sam." Adrienne said once she sent her driver off.

Samantha was frozen in place upon hearing that.

"These are for me?" She asked incredulously. "Addie, you shouldn't have bothered to spend money on me."

"Who said I was the one who paid for it, dear?" Adrienne chuckled as she dropped her school bag on the chair and pulled one of the bags from the floor.

"It's on your brother's tab. I didn't spend a single dime on it, but I was the one who chose them all." She added.

"But I…" Samantha found herself rendered speechless.

"Don't worry about it. Since your brother insisted on getting your custody from your mother, it's only natural that he provides your necessities." Adrienne paused for a moment, considering her next words. "I should have asked you first if you are okay with it. How do you feel about it, Sam?"

Samantha sat down, her hands on her lap.

"I-I'm not sure, Addie." She admitted. "I don't know whether I should trust him or not."

"You don't need to." Adrienne replied, earning a surprised look from the young lady.

"The world isn't fair. You should know this by now. However, you also have a choice to change your future. You don't need to put your trust in anyone but yourself. You're fifteen now and you'll reach legal age in a few years. Although eighteen is still young, you can decide for yourself. Lennox agreed to look after you until you are old enough to support yourself." She continued to explain.

"But Mom doesn't have anyone but me…" Samantha murmured. "I cannot just abandon her."

"But she can abandon you? How is it alright for a mother to let her daughter fend for herself at such a young age? You and I both know what's in your mother's heart."

Adrienne understood that it wouldn't be easy for Samantha to let go of her mother.

Samantha fell silent. How can she not know? From the moment she was born, her mother only had her father in her heart. Everything was about her father, and she had never received maternal love from her.

"Even if I want to, Mom won't allow me to leave, Addie. She would surely try to ask my brother for more money. She thinks that the Qin family owed her money because of me."

"That's why I need your cooperation, Sam. I want you to think about your future and what you want to do. You don't need to endure this kind of life when you have a chance to leave it behind. I know how to help you free yourself from your mother."

She then handed the thing she asked from Gavin.

"Only you can decide, Sam. You'll face many difficulties and losses in life, but never allow yourself to lose."