A Complete Break with the Family

The Eternity of the Stars necklace brought back memories for Selina. It was a stunning piece composed of eighteen top-grade sapphires. As a child, Selina loved shiny things, so her mother had gifted her the Eternity of the Stars, promising it would be part of her dowry when she grew up.

Before being sent to the countryside, Selina had left the Eternity of the Stars in her grandfather's care.

"What does Natalia mean by that?" Selina wondered. She didn't even feel like questioning why Katie and her daughter were in the old mansion. Withdrawing her hand from supporting Grandpa Clark, she asked in a calm tone, "Grandpa, why is Natalia asking about the Eternity of the Stars?"

Grandpa Clark trembled slightly, avoiding her gaze. He stammered, "Natalia… she's attending a charity auction tonight. The family arranged for her to donate the Eternity of the Stars necklace..."

Selina's mind went blank, a buzzing sound drowning out her thoughts. After a moment, she spoke coldly, "That necklace is my mother's keepsake."

"Selina," her grandfather replied, his tone full of entitlement and even a hint of reproach. "Yes, the necklace belonged to your mother, but it's been in the Clark family for so many years. What's the harm in helping Natalia through this rough patch? Your father and I both agreed. You're her older sister—don't be so petty."

A chill pierced Selina's chest like a knife. The betrayal from someone so close was almost unbearable. She mocked herself silently—she had always known what kind of people the Clark family were, yet she'd naively chosen to return.

For what? For Ryan? For her grandfather? 

And what had it come to? 

Ryan had cheated on her and pledged himself to Natalia, while her grandfather had been completely won over by that mother-daughter pair, forgetting her existence as his granddaughter entirely.

Selina closed her eyes, suppressing the bitterness welling up inside her, and spoke in a voice so calm it was chilling: "So, because Natalia has a ruined reputation, you're planning to use my mother's belongings to clean up her mess?"

Grandpa Clark frowned, letting out a sigh. "Selina, Natalia's position has never been easy. She's always carried the stigma of being an illegitimate child and has suffered so much. Can't you show some kindness and stop targeting her?"

Selina lifted her head, her gaze sharp as a blade. She enunciated every word clearly: "I lost my mother when I was young and was sent to the countryside. I was the one whose fiancé was stolen. I am the eldest daughter of the Clark family but left homeless, while she—an illegitimate child—became the one you all cherish. Do you honestly think I'm the one bullying her?"

Grandpa Clark's face froze, his expression instantly awkward as though his mask of dignity had been ripped off in public.

"That's enough, Selina!" he snapped, his tone hardening. "It's just a necklace! All of your mother's belongings are part of the Clark family. What's wrong with using them? Stop being so selfish!"

Selina's eyes grew colder. In the past, whenever Natalia took something of hers, the entire Clark family would turn around and blame Selina for being petty. She had always thought her grandfather was different. But now, she realized she had been wrong again.

Natalia's current status, wealth, and glory were all built on the sacrifices of her and her mother! 

Selina suddenly laughed, but the sound was chilling. "Fine, Grandpa. From now on, I won't consider your feelings in anything I do."

Grandpa Clark caught the ominous undertone in her words, a sense of unease creeping over him. "Selina, don't act recklessly! What are you planning?"

Selina didn't answer. She merely sneered, turned around, and walked out. 

In the past, she had swallowed her pride and endured everything for her grandfather's sake, allowing Natalia to act with impunity and the Clark family to mistake her tolerance for weakness.

But now, those days were over. 

Standing outside the villa, Selina pulled out her phone. Her fingers tapped the screen lightly as a faint, enigmatic smile spread across her lips. 

Perfect. At tonight's auction, she would give Natalia a gift to remember.

...

Evening, outside the auction hall. 

Selina stood calmly at the entrance, her gaze sweeping across the crowd to the far end of the bustling gathering. 

Katie, dressed in an intricately designed gown, held Natalia's arm as they walked in, flanking James on either side. The three of them moved gracefully toward the brightly lit entrance of the venue, surrounded by a cluster of high-society elites. Compliments rang out incessantly around them. 

"Miss Clark truly lives up to her reputation as a socialite among socialites! Mr. Clark is indeed blessed to have such a daughter!" 

Katie basked in the praise, her expression brimming with pride. Everyone knew Natalia had a stellar reputation. And Selina? In their eyes, she wasn't even worth mentioning. 

As Katie strutted proudly toward the entrance of the auction, a familiar figure caught her eye from the corner of her vision. Her smile froze instantly, her face darkening, and her voice rose sharply without a second thought: "How dare you show up here? Do you think a place like this is for the likes of you?" 

Katie's sharp voice drew the attention of the surrounding guests, and all eyes turned toward Selina, who was standing calmly at the entrance. She wasn't wearing a gown, just a simple everyday outfit that clashed starkly with the extravagant atmosphere of the event. 

The looks she received were full of scrutiny and disdain, and low whispers spread through the crowd. 

"Who is that? The auction isn't open to just anyone. How did she even get here without an invitation?" 

"Exactly. Don't let someone like that ruin the atmosphere. She should be removed immediately." 

James's expression darkened like a storm cloud. He hadn't expected Selina to show up. Lowering his voice, he hissed with undisguised disgust, "Did you hear them? Leave at once! Stop embarrassing yourself here!" 

Selina remained unfazed. She lifted her head, her calm gaze sweeping over the crowd before landing on James. Her voice was steady, with a hint of curiosity: "Leave? The invitation clearly states it's for all members of the Clark Family. Father, are you saying I'm an outsider, not part of the Clark Family?" 

Her voice was cold and clear, striking like a heavy hammer, silencing the murmurs around them. 

For a moment, everyone was stunned, then the whispers resumed, louder than before. 

"What? She's the eldest daughter of the Clark Family?" 

"But isn't Mr. Clark here with his mistress and illegitimate daughter? Why would he exclude his own biological daughter?" 

The Clark Family's scandals had long been a topic of whispered gossip among the upper echelons. It was well-known that their eldest daughter had been sent to the countryside and dismissed as an unsophisticated country bumpkin. But seeing her in person today was a stark contrast to that narrative. 

Standing at the entrance, Selina exuded an aura of elegance and icy beauty that easily overshadowed Natalia's presence, despite her simpler attire. 

The invitation explicitly stated, "All members of the Clark Family," and yet, the eldest daughter was being told to leave while the illegitimate daughter basked in the limelight and adoration of the crowd. 

The realization of the Clark Family's blatant favoritism sent ripples of indignation through the guests. No one had expected such a glaringly unjust treatment of the two daughters.