Chapter 954 Seleneâs Background The next day, when Catherine arrived at the laboratory, she ran into Selene again.
This time, Selene was already in the lab, looking like she was waiting for Catherine. Catherine glanced at her sitting in the lounge and walked toward the studio silently.
Seeing that, Selene was furious. She clenched her hands under the table to maintain a calm appearance. âMiss Swann, the coffee today is excellent. Care to join me for a cup?â
Catherine turned back upon hearing this and sat across from Selene. âHad a big breakfast at home. I canât handle coffee right now. Enjoy it yourself.â
Catherine returned because she knew Selene wouldnât give up easily. Since Selene had come today, she wouldnât leave until the matter was settled. Catherine wasnât afraid of Selene. She just disliked trouble.
After some investigation, Selene found out how infatuated Branden was with Catherine. Not only did he shower Catherine with affection, but he even personally cooked meals for her every day. Selene thought it was absurd.
In her view, Catherineâs words were a blatant display of Brandenâs skills, flaunting how willingly the president of the Duncan Corporation was to do things for her. Although Selene was angered, she pretended to remain calm and ignored Catherineâs words.
Selene thought a lot, not knowing that Catherine didnât drink coffee simply because she didnât feel like it now. There were no elaborate reasons.
Catherineâs posture was assertive, unlike Selene, who enjoyed a more refined pose.
Selene had put in a lot of effort to integrate into high society, excelling not only in education and work but also in etiquette.
Seeing Catherineâs sitting posture, Selene kept smirking. She said, âSorry, Miss Swann. I usually maintain a refined demeanor.
Those wealthy ladies around me are all very elegant. Your interesting posture was just too laughable.â
Though Selene claimed it was interesting, she was actually mocking Catherineâs lack of manners, suggesting she wasnât fit for the role of the Duncan Corporationâs mistress. It was left unsaid but Catherine clearly understood it.
Facing Seleneâs provocation, Catherine chuckled coldly. âMiss Miller, my posture may not be as elegant as yours.â
Selene arrogantly glanced at her and smirked. She leisurely lifted her coffee cup, took a delicate sip, and put it down with an exaggerated display of elegance. She seemed to show off her refined demeanor in front of Catherine.
However, she picked the wrong target. Catherine wasnât just intellectually superior and physically strong. She was also versatile.
In terms of verbal sparring, even Zobber wasnât her match. Catherine simply chuckled.
Selene frowned, staring sharply at Catherine. âMiss Swann, what does this laughter mean?â
âJust appreciating your efforts, Miss Miller. You changed your destiny through hard work and diligence. Despite being born into an ordinary family, you exude the elegance of a noble lady. Miss Miller, you are so hardworking.â
As the daughter of a regular driver, Selene insisted on portraying herself as a high-born lady. She could learn some things superficially, but she lacked the genuine grace that came from within.
Catherine had no intention to pick on her, but since Selene provoked her, she shouldnât blame Catherine for being sharp.
Seleneâs least favorite topic in her whole life was her background. Now, not only was it brought up in public, but it was Catherine who pointed it out. Selene couldnât bear it. She stood up abruptly and glared at Catherine. â
What do you mean by that? Are you mocking my background?â
Catherine sneered and coldly assessed her. Selene was quite interesting.
Despite wearing top-notch brands from head to toe, she managed to downplay her labels to subtly showcase her considerable wealth. Selene seemed to enjoy being hypocritical.
âMiss Miller, is your family not an ordinary one? Or perhaps you come from a noble lineage? If so, my apologies for the misunderstanding,â Catherine replied.
Selene was furious. Usually, others would think she had a privileged upbringing according to her demeanor. Facing Catherineâs words, Selene had no chance to justify herself. At this moment, she felt embarrassed and humiliated.
Catherine deliberately mentioned Seleneâs background to hit her where it hurt.
Selene grew angrier. She initially planned to mention Catherineâs rural roots, but she soon realized it wouldnât work. Regardless of where Catherine lived, she was the legitimate heiress of the Swanns, designated by Vicente himself. In this aspect, Catherine was far superior.
However, Selene couldnât swallow her pride. She glared at Catherine and clenched her teeth. âAre you satisfied now, mocking my background? Does it give you a thrill?â
Catherineâs expression didnât waver throughout. While Selene was upset, Catherine remained calm.
âMiss Miller, is admitting your heritage that difficult for you? We donât choose where weâre born, but we can choose how to live our lives. Your achievements speak for themselves. Youâve succeeded,â Catherine said.
In Seleneâs eyes, Catherineâs words werenât praise but a blatant insult.
Furious, she slammed the table and glared at Catherine. âEnough! Is mocking me not sufficient for you? Must you also bring my parents into this to ridicule?â
Catherine casually shrugged. âI didnât mean that. If you misunderstood, I apologize.â
Her attitude completely irritated Selene. She stormed out, not even bothering to look back.
Catherine stared at her departing figure and added, âMiss Miller, donât leave. Letâs continue our chat!â
Selene, consumed by anger, had completely forgotten the purpose of her visit and left the scene without a word.
Catherine raised her eyebrows playfully and smirked. With this level of sophistication, Selene was nowhere near Catherineâs league. She couldnât even engage in a simple conversation, yet she dared to act pretentious in front of Catherine. Catherine thought Selene was audacious.