Chapter 62 Chapter 62: Balthazar Reveals the Truth
The senior executives of the corporation were still around to entertain the guests. However, it seemed like they had caught wind of something that had transpired in the lounge.
The youngest son, John, from their partner Winning Edge Enterprises, suddenly appeared with a bruised face and quickly slipped out of the main hall. Not long after, Balthazar, Mrs. Winchester, and Selena also disappeared, leaving everyone with wild speculations.
They had seen Selena head towards the lounge earlier, and shortly afterward, Mrs. Winchester and Balthazar followed. Could it be...
Caught in the act?
Balthazar drove Selena to his private villa. He had noticed Mrs. Winchester's odd behavior earlier and didn’t dare take her to Mrs. Winchester’s house.
Selena didn’t say a word during the drive. She clung tightly to Balthazar’s coat, trembling, her tears falling continuously.
When they arrived, Balthazar gently carried Selena into the room, helped her clean up, and laid her down on the bed.
Selena pulled the blanket over herself, covering her head entirely. Worried she might suffocate, Balthazar softly said:
"It’s okay. I’ll make sure that bastard pays dearly. If you want to deal with him yourself, I’ll let you.
The blanket was pulled down, revealing Selena’s tear-streaked face. She bit her lip to stifle her sobs, and seeing her like this only deepened Balthazar's pity for her.
After a while, Selena choked out:
"Does Auntie Winchester hate me now? She knows about my dirty past, doesn’t she?”
She knew she’d never be blessed to become Mrs. Winchester’s daughter-in-law, but at the very least, she wanted to keep a good image in her eyes. And in Sophia’s too, one of her few good friends. Just the thought of them looking at her with disgust and disdain made her heart ache.
Balthazar pulled Selena into his arms, his large hand gently patting her back as he comforted her:
"Don’t worry, my Sweetie. I’ll explain everything to them.”
Selena slumped in his embrace, speaking weakly:
"What’s there to explain? I really am just a kept woman in your eyes.
For the first time, she regretted choosing to approach Balthazar as a prostitute. If she had chosen a cleaner way, she wouldn’t be suffering like this, losing those who cared for her.
And what about her mother and brother? If they found out, would they still want anything to do with her?
Seeing Selena torment herself, Balthazar couldn’t bear it. He suddenly said:
"But you’re not really a prostitute, are you? The truth is, you are just pretending to be a prostitute to get close to me.”
Shocked, Selena pushed him away, her eyes filled with fear. She quickly turned her head, trying to hide her true feelings, stammering:
"I… I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
But Balthazar didn’t let her escape. He held her face in his hands, making her look at him. His eyes were full of affection, though she was too scared to notice.
"Selena, that name matches William’s ex-wife. A year ago, she fell into the sea and disappeared. A year later, you showed up, slowly taking revenge on those who wronged you.”
Selena’s eyes widened even more. She hadn’t expected him to discover her true identity so quickly. But there was no way she could admit it, so she said:
"It’s just a coincidence. We just have the same name, but our appearances are completely different.”
"I know.”
Balthazar gently caressed each beautiful feature on her face, his lips tightening slightly as he said:
"I also found it strange. Losing weight alone wouldn’t result in such a perfect face.”
Hearing him say this, Selena breathed a sigh of relief. If she continued denying it based on this difference, there was nothing he could do to her. But before she could respond, he continued:
"But I already ran a DNA test on you and Wyatt. You two are siblings. You could claim to be Selena Collin’s sister, but I also tested her DNA. The results show you are the same person.”
Balthazar leaned in closer, his voice soft:
"So you’re not some prostitute serving men. You’re just a kind, unfortunate girl, pushed to the brink by wicked people.”
"Selena, I love you. I’ll explain everything to my mother and Sophia, and I can help you get revenge. All I ask is that you stay by my side.
Before Selena could process what was happening, Balthazar kissed her. He gently pushed her onto the bed, sliding the strap of her dress off her shoulder with incredible tenderness, treating her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
She looked at him through tear-filled eyes, her heart torn between happiness and pain, leaving her mind in a haze.
"Selena, I love you.”
That night, she heard those words countless times. Her heart, once hardened, was slowly melting for this man. She was falling in love all over again.
But she couldn’t love him.
The next day, Balthazar left the villa and drove to his mother’s house, thinking that perhaps he needed to clarify everything with her.
When he arrived, he saw that Sophia was also there, sitting beside Mrs. Winchester, and neither of them looked particularly happy.
Mrs. Winchester spoke first:
"Why didn’t you tell me about Selena’s background?”
Balthazar shook his head and replied:
"She’s not doing anything inappropriate. Both you and Sophia have interacted with her enough to understand what kind of person she is, haven’t you?”
"What else could she be? She’s just a good actress.” Sophia responded sarcastically.
Before the incident in the lounge, Sophia had thoroughly investigated Selena and found out that she worked as a hostess at the bar Balthazar frequented. Furthermore, she had approached him with a purpose, not by luck or fate.
Even their first meeting was likely orchestrated. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that she befriended the younger sister one day and ended up in bed with the brother the next?
If Balthazar continued to be enchanted by someone so calculating, Sophia feared he would be left with nothing, not even his bones.
Sensing that the siblings were about to argue, Mrs. Winchester interjected:
"Your sister and I don’t mind her past, but that’s only if she’s not using and deceiving you.