Chapter 25 Family Dinner
Selena's POV
This is way more interesting than playing games with him alone.
I was also curious to see what kind of family could raise an arrogant jerk like Royce.
"Oh, Saturday..." I dragged out my voice, pretending to be conflicted. "But I have an appointment with my nail technician. It's for the new caviar treatment—super hard to book..."
"Saturday at six PM. A car will pick you up at your door." His patience had clearly run out. "Dress appropriately."
Then he hung up.
I stared at my disconnected phone, my smile growing wider.
Appropriately?
Sure, no problem.
I picked up the intercom and called Anna.
"Anna, help me prepare something. An outfit for Saturday's dinner."
"Yes, Miss. Should I contact the brand directors at Dior or Chanel for you?"
"No." I leaned back in my chair, looking at the bright sunshine outside the window, feeling great. "Get out that floral dress from last time, and that makeup set. Oh, and find me the most over-the-top wig you can—blonde, with big waves."
I was going to show him what appropriate really meant.
Royce's POV
Saturday at six PM, I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, irritably watching the driveway.
When the black Bentley pulled up, my heart sank.
The car door opened, and she stepped out.
My temples throbbed.
She actually dared.
That floral disaster that would've made Van Gogh roll over in his grave, those hot pink heels that looked like she was walking on flamingo legs, foundation caked on so thick you could probably chisel it off and patch drywall with it, and... that god-awful bleach-blonde wig that screamed "clearance aisle Barbie."
Not only did she dare—she'd outdone herself.
She was humiliating me. Using this method to publicly humiliate me in front of my family.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
She swayed toward me, wearing that sickeningly sweet smile.
"Royce! Darling! Have you been waiting long?"
I didn't answer, just looked at her coldly.
But as she got closer, I caught a familiar scent.
Not the cheap perfume she was wearing, but... a very faint scent beneath the perfume, of cedarwood.
The exact same scent I'd smelled on "Astraea" in the studio that day.
My heartbeat skipped.
No, impossible. Just a coincidence.
"Let's go." I forced the words through clenched teeth and turned to lead her into the living room.
Grandmother was sitting in the main seat. The moment she saw Selena, a flash of surprise crossed her shrewd eyes, but she quickly recovered, wearing a proper smile.
"You must be Selena, dear." Grandmother's voice was warm. "It's lovely to meet you."
"Oh my God! You're Mrs. Sterling? You look so young!" Selena exclaimed dramatically, then looked around the entire living room like she'd never seen anything like it. "Wow! This house is huge! That crystal chandelier... how much must that cost!"
I closed my eyes.
Murderous intent surged in my heart.
Grandmother's smile didn't waver. She beckoned to Selena. "Come, dear, sit beside me. Let's chat."
Selena practically bounced over and plopped down right next to Grandmother.
"What do you like to do in your free time?" Grandmother took her hand, like a kind elder.
"I love shopping! Buying bags, buying jewelry, buying all the sparkly things!" Selena said excitedly, her eyes lighting up.
I leaned against the bar in the distance, drinking whiskey glass after glass, feeling like an outsider watching an absurd farce.
Then, suddenly, everything changed.
Grandmother's face turned deathly pale. She clutched her chest, breathing rapidly, and her teacup clattered to the floor.
"My... my medicine..." she forced out the words with difficulty, her body going limp as she collapsed toward the sofa.
"Grandmother!" I cried out, dropping my glass and rushing over.
But someone was faster than me.
Selena.
Selena, who had been chattering like an idiot just a second ago, completely changed the moment Grandmother collapsed.
The silly smile vanished from her face, replaced by shocking calm and focus.
"Call an ambulance! Where's her nitroglycerin?" Her voice was clear, crisp, commanding.
"In her purse."
She immediately grabbed Grandmother's purse, pulled out a small medicine bottle, quickly shook out two pills, and placed them under Grandmother's tongue.
Then she unbuttoned Grandmother's collar, laid her flat on the floor, and elevated her legs.
Her movements were as skilled as a professional emergency medic.
I stood there dumbly, staring at this stranger of a woman.
That heavily made-up face was slightly contorted with tension and concentration. Sweat ran down from her temples, cutting through the thick foundation and leaving white streaks across her face.
That ridiculous blonde wig had shifted to one side during her sudden movements, revealing the black roots underneath.
My mind was in chaos.
Just then, the family doctor rushed in with his medical bag.
"Quick! Move aside!"
Selena immediately stood up and stepped back. She raised her hand, trying to wipe the sweat from her face with the back of her hand.
It was that movement.
The back of her hand brushed across her cheek, wiping off a large patch of sweat-soaked foundation and revealing the smooth skin underneath.
My breathing stopped instantly.
I stared fixedly at that half-bare face.
Those eyes... the eyes that had calmly torn up documents in the banquet hall.
The eyes that had looked at me with mockery and disdain in the studio.
That face...
The mysterious woman who helped me get my wallet back...
It was her.
And that vulgar, gold-digging Selena Hart.
They were the same person.
My brain exploded into blankness with a deafening roar.