Chapter 4 Want to Recruit Me?
Selena's POV
I turned around and immediately spotted that matte black Rolls-Royce Phantom not far away. The sequential special license plate was almost blinding—clearly the ride of some top-tier big shot.
The car door clicked open softly, and a bodyguard immediately bent down to pull it open.
A pair of shiny handmade Oxford shoes stepped out first, the toes touching the ground crisply. The next second, a tall man in a black trench coat stood just a few steps away.
The trench coat was custom-made from matte wool with perfect drape, hiding subtle embroidered patterns along the edges. It looked low-key but screamed money, making his broad shoulders and narrow waist look even more impressive.
As soon as he stood steady, several bodyguards in black uniforms swooped in, forming a fan shape around him with movements so synchronized they looked like they came from the same mold.
These guys kept their hands at their sides, eyes scanning the surroundings on alert, but not one dared to look directly at his back. They didn't block his figure, yet built a solid protective wall around him.
When the man's gaze landed on me, his eyes lifted slightly with a casual, scrutinizing look. The overwhelming presence of someone used to being in charge hit me full force.
He didn't say a word, but I instinctively held my breath. This aura—definitely not your average tough guy.
I studied the man before me. Deep features, blue eyes like frozen glaciers that had never thawed for a thousand years.
Was this him? Royce Sterling.
The man my parents set me up with, the one who knew about today's meeting but still showed up late?
The person in front of me looked even taller than in his photos. The black trench coat showed off his solid build, and that face was truly flawless—chiseled features like God's own handiwork.
But right now, his eyes held a condescending kind of judgment.
I looked down at the wallet in my hand, then back up at him.
"Yours?" I raised an eyebrow, my tone cold.
"It's mine." He stepped closer, extending his hand.
Acting like some rich kid who's never heard 'no', expecting me to hand over the wallet as if it was my duty.
I didn't immediately return the wallet. Instead, right in front of him, I casually brushed off the dust on it.
"Give it back." Short and to the point.
I let out a cold laugh and slapped the wallet directly against his chest.
Hard enough that he instinctively took half a step back.
If he thought having a pretty face and wearing designer clothes meant he could waste other people's time, he was seriously mistaken.
In those twenty years with the Kateson family, the most important thing I learned was this: don't expect arrogant people to suddenly grow a conscience.
Royce steadied himself, looking at me with furrowed brows, seemingly trying hard to remember something.
"Do we know each other?"
"Sir, your pickup line is way too old-school."
I dusted off my hands, turned, and walked away without sparing him another glance.
Whether he was Royce Sterling or not, I was absolutely certain I didn't want to waste another word on him.
"Wait!" he called from behind. "About what just happened, thanks. Nice moves. Where'd you learn that?"
I ignored him and kept walking.
Royce actually took a couple of quick steps forward, pulling a business card from his coat pocket. "Leave me your contact info. My company needs talented people like you."
I stopped, turned my head slightly, giving him only a cold profile. "Thanks, but that kind of salary? Not interested."
Want to recruit me? Save it.
I walked away without hesitation.
I'd seen plenty of self-important men like him. They think the whole world should revolve around them, and once someone doesn't play along, they show this cheap curiosity.
By the time I got back to the farm, it was almost dark.
Uncle Jonathan was driving his beloved tractor in circles around the yard. When he saw me, he jumped down excitedly. "Selena! Come quick, your dad cooked himself today—made your favorite seafood risotto!"
The gloom in my heart instantly lifted.
It was a strange feeling. I'd only been back a few days, but this place felt more like home than that cold mansion I'd lived in for twenty years.
Walking into the house, a rich aroma hit my nose.
Mom was wearing an apron, setting the table. When she saw me, she immediately came over and took my hand. "Why were you gone so long? That Royce didn't give you trouble, did he?"
"He stood me up, Mom."
I told the truth and sat down at the dining table, grabbing a piece of freshly baked bread and taking a bite.
"What?!" Dad rushed out of the kitchen, still holding a spatula, looking furious. "That punk dared to stand up my daughter? I'll ruin their whole business!"
"Forget it, Dad." I shrugged. "A guy that full of himself—better off not meeting him anyway."
"Right! Better off!" Mom lovingly stroked my hair. "My Selena is so amazing, what kind of man can't you find? Tomorrow Mom will introduce you to someone even better!"
I smiled but didn't respond.
Right now, I had zero interest in men or arranged marriages.
I just wanted to work on that farmland. The soil composition there was really interesting. If I could cultivate new drought-resistant crops, the value would be way more than a few elite family marriages.
After dinner, I went back to my room and opened my laptop.
I was looking through research materials when my mom burst in excitedly.
"Selena, honey, stop working! Go change into something pretty!" She pulled me up by the hand, her face full of barely contained excitement.
"What's going on, Mom?" I was a bit helpless. My closet was now full of custom gowns she'd had sent over, but I still preferred comfortable work pants and T-shirts.
"We're having a little welcome party tonight!" she said happily. "Just inviting a few close neighbors and friends over, make it lively, officially introduce you to everyone."
A party? I frowned.
I'd always hated those fake social gatherings.
During my time with the Katesons, I was forced to attend countless ones. Each time felt like acting, leaving me physically and mentally exhausted.
Looking at my mother's expectant eyes, I couldn't bear to refuse.
The light in her eyes was something I'd never seen on Mrs. Kateson's face.
"Okay." I nodded. "Just for a bit."
"Wonderful!" Mother happily kissed my cheek. "Go on, Jonathan's already brought out his treasured wine collection!"
I changed into a simply tailored black silk gown and did light makeup.
When I came downstairs, I finally understood what my mom meant by "little party."
The yard wasn't as noisy as I'd imagined. Only about a dozen people gathered in small groups, talking quietly.
They were dressed casually, looking like an ordinary weekend get-together.
But I immediately recognized several faces—energy tycoon Mr. Davison, who regularly appeared on business magazine covers; Congressman Mr. Henderson, who oversaw European agricultural policy; and... a distinguished-looking older gentleman who looked very familiar.
Uncle Jonathan was cheerfully pouring them wine, using hand-cut crystal glasses. The bottle of red wine he'd brought out—I'd seen it once at an auction. The sale price could buy an apartment downtown.
This wasn't a "little party"—this was basically half the empire's power center relocated to our backyard.
"Selena, come here, let me introduce you." Father saw me and immediately waved me over proudly.
He brought me to the distinguished older gentleman.
"This is Mr. Sterling. Our families have been close for many years."