Chapter 493
Chapter 493
The car came to a stop in the apartment parking area, the engine shutting off slowly.
“We’ve arrived, ma’am,” the driver said before hurrying to open the door for them.
Selena stepped out first, her movements light. She adjusted her hair, picked up her bag, and walked ahead without looking back. Without a word, she strode through the lobby.
Her face looked bright-openly pleased, even-showing no sign of what had just happened, as if the ride had been nothing more than a routine task, she had carried out flawlessly.
dip
Eli stepped out last. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, her steps unsteady. Her cheek still burned, her throbbed, and her chest felt tight from the sobs she had swallowed throughout the ride. She followed her mother into the building without saying a word.
The moment the apartment door opened, Silvia was already waiting in the living room. Relief flickered across the woman’s face when she saw them return. “Ah, you’re back, ma’am,” she said warmly. “What would you and Miss Eli like for dinner? I can prepare it right away p>
Selena set her bag down on the table and slipped off her shoes casually.
“Something light. Soup and salad. I want a comfortable meal. But before that, prepare some wine for me. I want to enjoy the rest of the day with a glass of wine p>
Silvia nodded quickly. “Very well, ma’am. And Miss Eli p>
Eli didn’t answer right away. She stared at the floor, her fingers twisting together. “I… I’m not hungry,” she said softly.
Selena glanced at her, lips curling in annoyance. “Just leave her,” she said to Silvia. “And it’d be better if you reflected on your mistake, Eli p>
Eli said nothing. She simply kept walking toward her room. Silvia hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she didn’t dare go against Selena’s wishes.
“Then… shall I prepare dinner just for you, ma’am p>
“Prepare two portions,” Selena replied firmly. “If she changes her mind later, the food will already be there p>
Eli, meanwhile, continued past the living room toward her bedroom. Her hand reached for the doorknob slowly before she shut the door behind her. Once alone, she leaned her back against it, letting out a long breath—as if something heavy had been lodged inside her chest, making it hard to breathe all this time. She closed her eyes, holding back the sobs until they finally broke-silent, trembling.
Outside the room, Selena settled onto the sofa, crossing her legs and leaning back comfortably. She reached for the remote and turned on the flat-screen TV. Several channels were still replaying the news that had just shaken SunCity.
Selena thoroughly enjoyed the image of herself sitting amid a forest of microphones and relentless questions. There had been many she hadn’t even answered-but she was certain what she’d said was more than enough. The media would keep amplifying the story endlessly-until Harold ordered them to stop.
Silvia brought over a glass of wine along with some snacks. Selena barely glanced at them, but just as the maid was about to leave, Selena called out.
“Yes, ma’am p>
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Chapter 493
“Pack my things,” Selena ordered, her eyes now fixed on her phone. “Organize all my clothes. Don’t leave anything behind. I’m moving p>
Silvia froze. “Moving… where, ma’am p>
Selena turned to her; her gaze filled with triumph. “To your main employer’s house, of course. The Miller family estate p>
Silvia fell silent for a moment before replying, “Very well, ma’am p>
“Make sure everything is neat,” Selena added. “I don’t want to look like a guest. I’ll be living in that house p>
Silvia nodded obediently and headed toward Selena’s room. Once the door closed, Selena glanced over, making sure the maid wouldn’t overhear the conversation she was about to have.
She sank back into the sofa, relaxed, as if this string of victories were the pinnacle of her life. Then she dialed a number. She didn’t have to wait long before the call connected.
“Go on, laugh all you want, Selena,” the voice on the other end said casually. “I can already hear it in the way you’re breathing p>
Selena let out a soft laugh. “Because everything went exactly according to your plan p>
“I know,” Harold replied. “Their reaction was fast, wasn’t it p>
“Me
elena said, her gaze fixed on the TV. “The media swallowed it whole and splashed it across pport for Eli keeps pouring in. Public opinion has already been steered—long before the Miller n make a move p>
e girl?” Harold asked, his tone flat.
selena shrugged. “She’s in shock. But that doesn’t matter p>
“She didn’t mess anything up, did she?” Harold asked lightly.
“A little,” Selena answered without hesitation. “But in the end, she’ll understand. Who wouldn’t be tempted by everything the Miller family can offer p>
Harold’s low laugh came through the line, satisfied. “Good. The girl needs to be pushed. The public loves a victim who’s quiet, naïve, and innocent—and Eli fits perfectly p>
Selena’s smile widened. “Riana Miller doesn’t have a choice now. All eyes are on her p>
“Exactly,” Harold said “They’ll come to you. One way or another p>
mirror near the TV stand, while another channel continued discussing her and
at moment p>
is only the beginning,” Harold said. “Our victory is almost within reach p>
Selena nodded, even though Harold couldn’t see her. “I know p>
“Never forget your real goal, Selena. It’s not just the Miller family. It’s Althea Callister. She’s the one who took Chase from vou, isn’t she p>
to the triumph and satisfaction shared by Selena and Harold, Eli sat on the edge of her bed in the
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next room, hugging her knees. Her eyes were swollen and red, the tip of her nose damp, her tears refusing to stop.
“What am I supposed to do?” she whispered.
In her hand, her social media feed was filled with short videos of her appearance, each paired with countless captions. Comments kept flooding in. Some doubted her. Some supported her. But there were also plenty who attacked her labeling her an attention-seeking child. Her name had been mentioned more times than she could
count.
She closed her eyes again, and more tears fell.
“Can I talk to Josh?” she asked softly, staring at her phone, which still displayed the video of her mother presenting the DNA test to the reporters. “I want to apologize p>
She wiped at her tears.
“That’s right.” She closed her social media apps and began searching for Josh’s name in her contacts. “I need to call Josh. And apologize to Grandma too. I don’t want them to be disappointed in me p>
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