Chapter 63: Asking for Help Requires Sincerity James snapped in frustration, "What else? The room has already been arranged for you!"
"My room, as in the basement?"
Selina nodded, letting out a sigh. "I really donât want to make this difficult, but if you insist I stay in the basement, then fine. Iâll stay there and let Mr.
Brown know the situation later."
Nataliaâs expression froze.
James instinctively furrowed his brows. "What basement?"
Katie, suddenly uneasy, forced a smile and explained, "Oh, James, the house doesnât have any spare rooms. I thought, since Selina grew up in the countryside, she wouldnât mind where she stays, so I arranged for her to stay on the basement level. Who knew sheâd throw a fit? Honestly, sheâs being so unreasonable."
Jamesâs face darkened.
These two fools!
Still creating trouble for Selina even now? Didnât they understand that getting Noahâs approval depended entirely on Selinaâs goodwill?
But having spoiled Katie and Natalia for so many years, James was more frustrated with Selinaâs lack of cooperation.
With a scowl, he barked, "Fine. Basement it is. Youâve lived there before, havenât you? Iâll have the best furniture brought in. Happy now?"
Natalia gave a smug, triumphant smile.
See? What good was complaining? In the end, the room still belonged to her. Why couldnât Selina just accept reality?
Selina blinked and responded, "Father, Iâm asking for Nataliaâs room for your sake. Otherwise, when Mr. Brown arrives and wants to tour the Clark residence, how will you explain it?"
"Are you going to tell him, âAt the Clark Family, we do things differentlyâmistresses and illegitimate daughters are cherished while the legitimate daughter gets mistreatedâ? Letâs see if Mr. Brown still wants to do business with you then."
She turned to leave. "But since youâve made your decision, I guess my good intentions were wasted on deaf ears."
James felt like he was choking on his own anger.
He quickly stopped Selina, gritting his teeth. "Natalia, pack your things. Selina will take your room."
This ungrateful brat! Even when given an out, she just had to challenge Natalia to prove her point!
If it werenât for Noah arriving soon, James wouldâve taught her a lesson!
Selina ignored the fury in Jamesâs eyes and lazily tilted her head. "Did you hear that, dear sister?"
Nataliaâs tears flowed instantly as she sobbed pitifully. "Sister..."
"Why are you still standing there?" Selina said with mock patience. "Pack up. Iâm waiting to move in."
Natalia threw herself into Katieâs arms, crying bitterly. Katie hugged her daughter and wailed, as if the world owed them both an apology.
Katie, refusing to accept defeat, cried and scolded, "Natalia is used to sleeping here! Moving to another room will disrupt her rest! Youâre the elder sister; canât you be a little more considerate?"
"Why must you always take from Natalia? What has my daughter done to deserve this?"
Selina watched the theatrics with cold detachment. Did Katie seriously think theyâd done nothing wrong?
She let out a mocking laugh and shrugged. "How Natalia sleeps isnât my concern. Iâm not her mother."
Katieâs whole body trembled with rage, nearly choking on her own words. "You... youâre so cruel!"
"You think Iâm cruel for âtakingâ Nataliaâs room?" Selina asked, her tone icy.
Katie shrieked, "Isnât it obvious? Natalia was perfectly fine living hereâ"
"Have you all conveniently forgottenâ"
Selina interrupted sharply, enunciating each word: "This was my room to begin with!"
The entire mansion fell into a deafening silence.
Katieâs eyes widened in shock, and James froze stiff as a board.
frÑewebnoѵel.Æo๠Selina pressed forward step by step, her tone cold and sharp. "Ten years ago, you climbed your way into this family with Natalia, threw me out to the countryside, and took everything that was mine!"
"And now, just because Iâm taking back whatâs rightfully mine, Iâm the villain? If that makes me evil, then what were you and Natalia when you took my room and my life? If Iâm truly as wicked as you say, shouldnât you both be apologizing with your lives?"
Katie stumbled back two steps, her face pale. "Selina, youâ"
Selina didnât give her the chance to finish. Her voice was cutting.
"Mrs. Bryant, have you been living in this stolen nest so long youâve forgotten your place? Do you really think the Clark Family estate belongs to a mistress like you?!"
She turned to James with a mocking glance. "Fatherâno, Mr. ClarkâIâve been patient and havenât said much, but since Mrs. Bryant insists Iâm evil, perhaps I should let Noah decide whoâs in the right when he arrives?"
James felt a chill run down his spine and immediately shot Katie a furious glare. "Selina, thereâs no need to air family drama in front of others. Letâs keep this between us. Noah will be here any minute, so donât cause a scene. And... why arenât you calling me âDadâ anymore?"
Selinaâs expression was icy. "You? My dad? No, youâre Nataliaâs dad."
"If you were really my father, how could you let a mistress throw me out, steal my room, and then stand here telling me to leave? If Iâm not welcome here, Iâll happily leave."
With that, Selina turned and strode toward the door.
James panicked. A security guard had already informed him that Noah was at the gates. If Selina left now, the Clark Familyâs project would be doomed!
In desperation, James turned sharply and slapped Katie hard across the face.
Ignoring Katieâs stunned expression, he barked angrily, "Are you still blind to your place in this family? Selina is the only true heiress of the Clark Family! If you canât handle being a stepmother properly, then get out!"
Selina turned back, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she watched Jamesâs performance.
Playing the part, James snapped at Natalia. "Youâre nothing but an illegitimate child. You donât deserve to live in such a nice room. Move out now and apologize to your sister for taking her room all this time!"
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
ï¤Chapter 62: I Just Want Yours Apocalypse: The Supporting Actress Made a Comeback ï¤Chapter 739 - 395 Bite back Shadow Slave ï¤Chapter 2468 Home Bitter Home Tears streamed down Nataliaâs face as she choked out, "Iâm sorry, Sister... I donât deserve it..."
James took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Selina, are you satisfied now?"
Selina blinked, feigning surprise. "Not bad, Dad. Looks like you still care about me after all."
Just then, the butler rushed upstairs to report. "Sir, Mr. Brown is already in the sitting room."
Before James could respond, Selina interjected with a dismissive wave. "Dad, you should focus on comforting your mistress and illegitimate daughter.
Donât let them embarrass you in front of your guest. Iâll head down first."
As Selina walked away, Katie seethed with fury. "You hit me and scolded Natalia for that brat?! Who does she think she is? That little bâ!"
"Shut up!" James roared. "Have you lost your mind? Assigning Selina to the basement?! The Clark Family needs her right now. Are you trying to ruin everything?"
Something about Jamesâs words seemed to snap Katieâs composure entirely. Her face twisted with rage as she shrieked like a wild animal.
"She belongs in the basement! Have you seen the way she looks down on us? We shouldâve gotten rid of her years ago! What else is she good for besides seducing men? Sheâs just a cheap little trampâjust like her motherâ!"
Before she could finish, Jamesâs hand struck her again, sending her sprawling to the floor.