Chapitre 7: New Players, Old Grudges
The grand clock in the hallway chimed softly, marking the passage of time as Selene stepped into the mansion, her tall, slender figure illuminated by the golden glow of the chandelier overhead.
It was past seven in the evening, and the air carried the faint scent of polished wood and expensive perfumes—a stark contrast to the bustling, noisy world outside. The maids followed her dutifully, carrying her school backpack as she approached the living room, where she could already hear the low murmur of voices.
Pushing the heavy oak doors open, Selene's eyes fell upon the scene before her: Alexander, her father, sat at the head of the room, his posture as imposing as ever, though softened slightly by the presence of those seated around him.
To his right was Beatrice, her expression carefully neutral, as always, playing the role of the composed, dutiful wife. Beside her sat Cassandra and Charles, both of whom turned their heads toward Selene the moment she entered, their eyes narrowing as they took in her arrival.
Selene, despite her youth, carried herself with an air of quiet confidence. At 165 cm tall, she stood nearly eye-to-eye with Cassandra, though the difference in their demeanor was stark.
Cassandra, though two years older, seemed almost diminished in comparison, her 163 cm frame tense with barely concealed envy. It was a cruel irony that despite being the elder, Cassandra felt constantly overshadowed by Selene's natural grace and beauty—a fact that gnawed at her insides.
"Good evening, Father," Selene greeted with a slight bow of her head, her voice soft yet clear, as she directed her attention to Alexander.
Alexander's gaze shifted to the clock on the wall, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why are you late today? Your classes end at four on Fridays, don't they? It's already 7:20 in the evening."
Selene's lips curved into a mischievous smile as she walked over to sit beside her father, her presence bringing a sense of warmth to the room.
"Oh, Dad! My classmates insisted I treat them to dinner since I got first place in the whole city for the semester exams. They kept pestering me, so I agreed. The last time I treated them was two months ago when I won first place in the national mathematics competition."
Her voice held a playful lilt as if she were sharing a secret with him.
"Knowing you, I figured you were busy with work since we rarely have dinner together. Butler Hong didn't inform me that you'd be home early, so I thought it would be fine to celebrate today. I've been so busy with my studies these past months, and I needed to unwind a little.
If I'd known you'd be back early, I would have postponed it and come home sooner. It's rare for us to have dinner together, after all." She pouted slightly, her expression a mixture of regret and youthful innocence.
Alexander's stern expression softened at her words, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You got first place again? Haha, that's wonderful."
Selene's eyes sparkled with pride as she beamed at him. "Not only first place, but I also broke a record! My score this time was forty-five points higher than the second place. Last time, I only had a twenty-point lead. I worked hard, and the only points I lost were in the essay sections.
The teachers never give perfect scores for essays—they always deduct at least one point. This time, I had essays in history, English, and literature. Even though they gave me the highest grades, I was still three points away from a perfect score. They're so stingy!" She crossed her arms in mock indignation, her tone light and teasing.
Alexander chuckled, his pride evident. He knew the caliber of students at Selene's school—all children of the city's elite, from powerful business families to influential politicians and military officers. That Selene had outperformed them all was no small feat, and the knowledge filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. His daughter was not only brilliant but also poised beyond her years.
As Alexander basked in his pride, Cassandra sat silently across from them, her hands clenched into fists beneath the table. She had always known that Selene was different—that she carried a certain magnetism that drew people to her, a light that seemed to shine a little brighter than everyone else's. But to hear Alexander praise her so openly, to see him smile at her with such affection—it was unbearable.
In her mind, Cassandra replayed every slight, every moment where she had been compared to Selene and found wanting. Her jealousy simmered, a toxic brew of resentment and inadequacy that threatened to spill over. Even Charles, sitting next to her, seemed aware of the tension, though he remained silent, his eyes flicking between his sister and their younger sibling.
Selene, for her part, remained composed, her calm demeanor masking the calculated thoughts running through her mind. She was aware of Cassandra's envy, could feel it radiating off her like a tangible force.
But rather than being disturbed by it, Selene found a strange comfort in knowing that she had this effect on her sister. It was a subtle reminder of the power dynamics at play—a quiet victory in a game only she knew was being played.
The silence in the room grew heavy, broken only by the soft ticking of the clock and the faint rustle of Beatrice's dress as she shifted slightly in her seat. Finally, Selene turned her polite smile toward Beatrice and asked, "Sorry for being impolite, hehe. Dad, who are these guests? It's my first time meeting them."
Alexander, who had been observing the interaction, glanced briefly at Beatrice before shifting his attention back to Selene. "Selene, this is Beatrice, her daughter Cassandra, and her son Charlse."
Selene's smile deepened as she nodded politely. "Hello, I'm Selene. Nice to meet you."
Alexander continued his voice steady but carried a weight that seemed to fill the room. "They are my children with Beatrice."
For a moment, Selene's smile froze, her eyes locking onto Alexander's as a flicker of confusion crossed her face. "What do you mean, Father?"
Alexander sighed softly as if bracing himself for the conversation he had been dreading. "Beatrice is my ex-girlfriend. After breaking up with her, I met your mother, Lisandra, and we fell in love. We had you. But a few months ago, I met Beatrice again, and I didn't expect that when we broke up, she was already pregnant.
She only found out two months later, and she decided to raise our child on her own without telling me. All these years, she kept it a secret. If it weren't for Charlse's accident a few months ago, and the need for money for his surgery, Beatrice might never have contacted me."
He paused as if weighing his next words. "At first, I didn't believe it, but since Beatrice insisted that they were my children, I took a DNA test with them, and it confirmed they really are. After finding that out, I contemplated how to tell you this.
And now, I've decided to bring them home to start living here. I hope you understand. After all, your mom and I divorced three years ago. Since that is the case, I think it's time to bring them home and let them stay here."
As Alexander spoke, Selene's smile gradually began to fade. Each word he uttered seemed to weigh heavier on her, yet she remained silent, her expression composed but her thoughts racing. The room felt colder, the warmth of her earlier confidence slipping away as reality settled in.
Beatrice, sensing the tension, interjected with a hesitant voice, "If you don't want us here, it's also fine. After all, this is where you stayed with your mom."
Alexander frowned, clearly dissatisfied, though his discontent was directed not at Beatrice but at Selene. The subtle shift in his demeanor did not go unnoticed by Selene, yet she chose to ignore it, focusing instead on Beatrice.
With a slight, strained smile, Selene responded, "No, it's fine. You can stay here, Auntie. After all, they are also Dad's children, and just like he said, Mom and Dad already divorced three years ago. I've accepted that, so you staying here is good. Now, someone can stay by Dad's side to care for him. He's been single for the past three years."
Beatrice's gaze flickered with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "You wouldn't really mind?"
Selene let out a light, almost casual laugh, the sound echoing in the otherwise tense room. "Of course not. I was just shocked, that's all. Dad, your life is just like a drama. You know, the popular genre today where the male lead breaks up with his ex, only to reunite years later and discover that the child she's raising is his.
After a series of events, they get back together. Hehe. Why does that feel so suitable for you, Dad? If you really could get back together with Auntie Beatrice, that would be good. Someone would finally be there to care for you."
Alexander's stern expression softened at her words, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's good that you understand."
Selene rolled her eyes playfully, though the gesture was calculated. "What do you think of me, Dad? A small-minded person? Look at how modern science is now. Besides, Auntie Beatrice got pregnant before you even met Mom, so it's not like you cheated on her. It's fine."
Hearing her words, Beatrice could only muster an awkward smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and discomfort.
As the evening drew on, the atmosphere in the room remained tense, each person lost in their own thoughts. Selene maintained her polite façade, though underneath, her mind was whirring with calculations and considerations.
This new development had shifted the dynamics in the household, and she would need to adapt quickly if she were to keep her plans on track.
For now, she would let them believe she was the understanding, supportive daughter—while quietly strategizing her next move.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
ArtemisSabariaga
ArtemisSabariaga "New Players, Old Grudges"
What do you think of this chapter title?
I've been thinking about how to title this chapter and I've finally settled on this, Because It emphasizes the arrival of new characters into Selene's life and the resurfacing of deep-seated animosities from her past life.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone