"We didn't mean to push her. We thought she stole someone's card and might steal something else. So, sending her away was the best option."
"But she was being stubborn, and we got into an argument."
"That's the whole incident."
Selina rolled her eyes at their twisted lies.
"Will you take responsibility if your actions led to a scandal against me for letting such behaviour pass in my party?" Zane demanded, his voice leaking subtle anger.
The troublesome women lowered their gaze.
"We're sorry for ruining your party." They apologized in unison.
"You should say that to her as well. Apologize." Zane demanded.
They wanted to argue, but none of them dared defy him. He was a man cloaked in mystery and known for ruthless business dealings.
They turned to face Selina. "I… I'm sorry," they mumbled together, their voices betraying the insincerity of their words.
Selina didn't care about their insincere apology, but society's views still hurt her.
Well, she was accustomed to such a chaotic situation likely due to her identity and ugly appearance.
"You have no audacity to humiliate my guests, regardless of their socioeconomic status. I don't want this to be repeated in the future. Do you understand?" Zane uttered, his voice calm but there was irritation at the edge.
"Yes," the girls murmured, their voices quivering.
"Send them out," Zane ordered the two security men behind him. He glanced at the shattered glasses on the floor. "Also, they can only leave after paying for the damages."
"Yes, sir," one of the security guards replied with a slight bow and approached the girls.
The guards grabbed the girls by their arms and dragged them out of the room.
"Don't drag me away like I'm some sort of beggar." the middle girl barked at the security man, who continued to pull her along.
"Don't push me. I can walk myself out."
Zane's intervention had left everyone speechless about how he had handled the situation. They wondered how lucky this seemingly lowly girl was to be connected with him.
The guests resumed their conversations as the air slowly returned to its previous exciting atmosphere.
Staring at Zane with astonishment, she didn't expect he'd send the girls away, whereas he could easily let the situation pass with their apology. She wondered what kind of person he was.
With his intense gaze lingering on her, Selina looked away as she felt the air awkward air coiling her that he got to witness her in a messy situation. She quietly moved from her spot, striding out of the hall to clean up.
Hudson's anger began to fade gradually, but that sad look on his daughter's face left him unsettled. He hadn't expected to see Selina tonight.
"What did you say to Selina? I hope it wasn't something cruel." Hudson asked.
Leah looked away, shrugging. "Just some truths she needs to hold onto."
Hudson's brow tightened as he shot Leah a warning glance. "I've always told you not to be harsh with her. Face me, not her."
Without waiting for a reply, Hudson turned and walked off, determined to find Selina.
Clarissa watched quietly, a flicker of disappointment on her face. "You don't have to provoke him,"
"If Selina hadn't come today, none of this would be happening. I don't get why Zane made those girls apologize. What's his deal with her, anyway?" Leah murmured.
Clarissa ignored her mother and tried to follow her father, but Leah grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
"Don't even think about going after her," Leah scolded, frowning deeply. "We're not supposed to associate with her. Not even in public."
"Selina might be hurting. I just want to know if she's okay," Clarissa uttered.
"If you're tired, we can go home," Leah said dismissively, releasing Clarissa's arm.
In the restroom, Selina scrubbed at the stain with a napkin, but it stubbornly refused to come off despite her repeated efforts.
"How dare they ruin my creativity? Do they even know how much effort it took me to make this dress? I feel like kicking their asses—but of course, everyone would just turn on me for being a nuisance. Maybe I'd even get locked up for hospitalizing someone's precious child," she grumbled under her breath, tossing the napkin aside in frustration.
Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears, drifted to the corner—where they caught her reflection in the mirror. The tears didn't dare fall.
"Do I have no place in this world?" she murmured, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Is it wrong to live a quiet and ordinary life in disguise?"
As long as she could work hard, earn enough to eat, cover her medication, and set a little aside for her future, she didn't mind the disguise—if it meant easing the storm that chased her true identity.
But this life…it was dull, taunting, and cruel enough to churn her stomach.
Once again, a voice outside the restroom broke through her thoughts. "Selina, are you still there?"
That voice pulled her back from the edge of her memories. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and stepped out.
In the corridor, her father stood waiting, concern etched across his face.
"Selina, dear," Hudson whispered.
Without hesitation, she walked into his arms, resting her head on his broad shoulder. His warmth enveloped her like a comforting blanket, soothing the storm inside.
"I've missed you, Father," she murmured, inhaling his familiar, calming scent.
"I know, dear. I should've come to see you sooner, not like this," Hudson said softly, rubbing her back in a gentle rhythm. "I've missed you too."
After a brief hug that melted the ache in her chest, she pulled back, her warm eyes locked onto his.
"Please don't dwell on what happened. I'm keeping my promise—to convince your grandfather that you have great potential. That you're not a disgrace to this family," Hudson said, his voice laced with regret, as if he already knew why she had been targeted tonight.
"Hang in there, even if just for a little while," he added gently.
His heart ached at his past hesitation to claim her proudly. At the distance that had long existed between them.