Chapter 13 Recognizing Identity?
Selena's POV
A French man in his sixties, with graying hair but sharp and energetic, strode in quickly, personally escorted by the hotel manager.
I saw him.
It was Mr. Arnault, the CEO of that luxury goods group.
He was clearly an invited VIP as well.
The moment he appeared, the entire ballroom stirred. Guests rushed forward, trying to chat with him. But he only nodded politely, his eyes quickly scanning the crowd, searching for something.
Then, his gaze landed on me.
His eyes lit up instantly, a delighted smile spreading across his face. Ignoring all the wealthy people trying to talk to him, he walked straight toward me.
Taisia and the Katesons froze.
I heard them whispering.
"Mr. Arnault actually came?"
"He's coming over!"
"Who's he looking for? Could he be coming for Myrdal?"
Myrdal clearly thought so too. He immediately straightened his suit, put on what he thought was his most perfect smile, and stepped forward.
"Mr. Arnault, good evening. I never expected you would..."
However, Mr. Arnault acted as if he didn't see him at all. He slightly turned his body and walked right past him.
He walked straight up to me.
Under everyone's shocked gaze, like an old friend, he gave me a warm kiss on both cheeks.
"Astraea! My dear friend! I knew I'd see you here tonight! You look absolutely beautiful today, and that necklace around your neck... My God, is this another one of your new pieces? It's simply a masterpiece from God!"
He held my hand, praising me excitedly, his eyes full of admiration.
The entire ballroom instantly fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Then whispers erupted.
"She's Astraea?"
"She's that mysterious jewelry designer who never shows her face, whose pieces are sold at sky-high prices, and who only takes commissions from top clients?"
"This is the... 'country girl' who was kicked out by the Kateson family, abandoned by her fiancé, and mocked by everyone?"
"How is this possible?!"
Myrdal's smile froze. He looked at me in disbelief, then at Mr. Arnault, his jaw practically on the floor.
The Katesons were completely petrified, their expressions looking worse than if they'd swallowed flies.
As for Taisia, all the color drained from her face in an instant. Her body swayed, and if Mrs. Kateson hadn't been supporting her, she probably would have collapsed on the floor.
"Mr. Arnault, it's wonderful to see you here again. However, I think you might have mistaken me for someone else. My name is Selena Hart."
I needed to maintain "Astraea's" mystique.
Besides, now wasn't the time to reveal all my cards.
Mr. Arnault paused for a moment, but immediately caught on.
He was a smart man who understood I didn't want my identity exposed.
"Oh, oh! Look at my memory!"
He immediately played along, dramatically slapping his forehead.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Hart. You look so much like an old friend of mine, especially your extraordinary presence... How rude of me."
As he spoke, he winked at me, looking like a mischievous old child who'd pulled off a prank.
I knew he was helping me.
Though the surrounding crowd was skeptical, since Mr. Arnault said so, they didn't dare ask more questions.
And I clearly felt that the way they looked at me had completely changed.
No longer the contempt and mockery from before, but filled with awe and curiosity.
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"
Taisia suddenly screamed. Like she'd gone mad, she pointed at me.
She shouted to the people around. "Don't let her fool you! She's a fraud! She used to be our family's adopted daughter, kicked out for being a thief! She's living on some broken-down farm now, just a country bumpkin! How could she possibly know Mr. Arnault! She must be an imposter!"
She'd completely lost it.
Jealousy had made her lose all reason.
"She doesn't even have an invitation! She stole my invitation to sneak in! Security! Where's security? Get this shameless woman out of here!"
She shrieked hysterically, like a shrew.
Myrdal's face looked terrible. He tried to pull her back, but she shook him off.
The Katesons looked grim, but they still chose to stand by Taisia.
"That's right!" Mrs. Kateson chimed in. "She's a thief! Our family only adopted her out of pity. We never thought she'd be so ungrateful and try to ruin Taisia's happiness! People like her should be thrown out!"
I looked coldly at their family's pathetic performance, like watching a farce.
A stolen invitation?
I calmly took out an envelope from my purse.
Not Taisia's cheap pink envelope.
But one made of thick cream-colored cardstock, sealed with a gold wax stamp bearing the Kateson family crest.
This was the special invitation only given to the most honored guests.
In front of everyone, I opened the envelope and pulled out the invitation inside.
"I believe this is what you're looking for?"
I displayed the invitation for everyone to see.
Written in beautiful calligraphy, it clearly read:
[We cordially invite the esteemed Mr. Hart, Mrs. Hart, and your daughter to attend the engagement party of Mr. Myrdal Carter and Miss Taisia.]
Taisia's pupils contracted sharply.
The Katesons' expressions instantly changed from anger to horror.
They stared at the invitation as if seeing something unbelievable.
Mr. Hart? Mrs. Hart?
They had invited the Hart family?
The same family they thought lived in the countryside, poor and struggling—Selena's biological parents?
How could this be?