Chapter 11 Love Me?
Selena's POV
Loves me?
Hearing those words come out of her mouth really makes me sick.
Is she trying to show off to me?
Or does she think I'll be heartbroken because she married the man I didn't want?
She thinks way too highly of herself.
Looking at that note was like watching a clown's pathetic performance.
"Anna."
"Yes, Miss."
I casually tossed the invitation along with that note into the nearby trash can.
"Burn it."
"Yes, Miss."
Anna didn't ask any questions, just nodded respectfully.
I dusted off my hands and went back to my report.
People like Taisia aren't worth a single second of my emotions.
That evening, I walked out of the kitchen with a glass of warm milk, only to see my parents sitting on the living room sofa.
On the coffee table in front of them was an identical pink envelope.
"You got one too?"
I raised an eyebrow, thinking to myself that Taisia was really persistent, as if afraid people wouldn't know she was getting married.
She probably thought this invitation would cause huge waves here.
Mom saw me and sighed, her face full of regret: "Selena, come here.
Look at this girl, why would she make such a terrible choice?"
Dad shook his head too, looking disappointed: "Exactly, this marriage..."
My heart stirred. I sat down next to them and curiously picked up the pink invitation.
From their tone, it didn't sound like they thought Taisia was marrying well.
"What's wrong? Isn't she marrying that... nouveau riche guy?"
I asked deliberately, wanting to see what they were getting at.
Mom pursed her lips. "Nouveau riche? Honey, that 'nouveau riche' you're talking about - their family has to think three times before buying a yacht, considering the cost! They can't even have fresh salmon air-shipped from Sweden every morning, let alone those limited edition premium wines. I'd say their family is only slightly better than the Katesons, and that's just 'slightly.'"
I almost couldn't hold back my laughter.
My parents' standard of "poverty" could make wealthy people worldwide feel ashamed of themselves.
The man Taisia is marrying would absolutely be considered elite in ordinary people's eyes.
Assets worth tens of billions, involved in high-tech, finance, real estate and multiple sectors, ranking on global rich lists.
But in my parents' eyes, he's just a "nouveau riche" who "hesitates to buy yachts" and "can't afford air-shipped salmon"?
Dad chimed in. "Exactly. That girl, so short-sighted, thinking she's struck gold by finding a 'rich man.' She doesn't realize that true wealth is never about showing off. I bet she'll suffer plenty after marrying into that family."
Looking at their genuinely regretful and worried faces, I was about to burst out laughing inside.
If Taisia knew that the wedding invitation she sent with such effort, full of showing off and provocation, received not jealousy and anger from the Hart family, but pure... sympathy and pity, she'd probably cough up blood on the spot.
My dear sister, just because you moved out of the Hart house, do you really think you understand my parents' background?
They've always been terrifyingly low-key.
You only know they live in the countryside, but you don't know that every inch of land on this "countryside" farm is worth a fortune; you only know they wear cotton clothes, but you don't know the watch on their wrists could buy your so-called "nouveau riche" family's annual profits.
"Mom, Dad, do you really think she'll suffer?"
I asked, pretending to be confused, wanting to hear what other shocking things they might say.
Mom touched my head affectionately, as if I were the one about to marry a "poor guy". "Silly child, you're still young, you don't understand these things. Marriage isn't that simple. Although that girl is a bit stupid and spoiled, she did live with us for a few years. To think of her marrying a nouveau riche - I feel sorry for her just thinking about it."
Dad nodded along. "Yes, I think we should still attend the wedding. Let's prepare some money for Taisia, as a... gift.
Just then, my private phone suddenly rang.
It was an unknown number, but I recognized the area code.
It was Myrdal.
Frowning, I walked to the terrace and answered the call.
"Selena?" Myrdal's slurred voice came through, with noisy music in the background - he was clearly drunk.
"What is it?" My tone was cold as ice.
"I... I just wanted to hear your voice."
He said with a thick tongue, "Selena, today... today Taisia and I went to try on wedding dresses. She chose one covered in diamonds, very expensive, she said she liked it. But... but I think it's so ugly."
I almost laughed out loud.
He called me just to complain about his fiancée's taste?
How ridiculous.
"You know what? She doesn't understand anything. When I talk to her about the company's future, she only asks how much it's worth. When I talk to her about art, she can't even tell Monet from Manet. She... she's nothing like you, Selena."
"You're only realizing this now?" I asked coldly.
"I was wrong, Selena, I was really wrong."
His voice suddenly took on a crying tone, "I shouldn't have believed her lies, I shouldn't have broken up with you. Will you come back? As long as you come back, I'll cancel the engagement with her right away! The Kateson family needs you, and I need you too!"
Needs me?
What a joke.
Who was it that pointed at my nose and called me vicious because of Taisia's tears?
Who didn't say a single word to make me stay when I was kicked out of the house?
Now he regrets it?
Too late.
"Myrdal Carter," I said word by word, "save your cheap tears. You and Taisia - you're perfect for each other. I wish you a long and happy life together."
With that, I hung up directly.
I took a deep breath.
Taisia wants me to come and open my eyes?
Myrdal regrets it and wants me back?
How interesting.
I turned and walked back to the living room.
"Dad, Mom," I looked at them with a smile on my face, "you're right, Taisia is quite pitiful. I should go see her after all.
Mom looked at me, smiling with emotion: "Truly my daughter - always having such a kind heart toward the poor."
I smiled and winked. "Also, Mom, I won't just attend in person, I'll also send an exquisite engagement gift to celebrate my dear sister's happy engagement."
"Anna, help me contact that jewelry designer my mother mentioned before."
Mom was stunned. "Honey, you..."
I winked at her, "Tell 'Astraea' that she must deliver the finished piece to the farm before Friday evening. After all, since I'm attending an engagement party, I should be properly dressed."
Anna on the other end of the phone responded respectfully: "Yes, Miss."
Taisia, you wanted me to broaden my horizons, right?
Well, I'll show you what real class looks like.