"Be good, okay? Otherwise, say goodbye to the fancy car, the apartment, and all your designer stuff. Just take care of these guys, and you can keep enjoying this luxurious life."
The woman completely broke down.
For the past three months, Marcus had treated her so well—so well that she'd foolishly believed she was different from the rest.
After all, Marcus had everything: looks, money, charm. How could anyone not fall for him?
But she'd forgotten what people like him were truly like. Rich, spoiled heirs could be vicious beneath their polished smiles. To them, she was nothing more than a toy—something to be discarded the moment they grew bored.
And yet… Marcus wasn't wrong.
She was already addicted to this lifestyle. No mansion, no luxury cars, no designer clothes—living without those things felt worse than death.
Seeing her fall silent, resigned to her fate, one of the rich men stepped forward. He murmured a few gentle lies to soothe her, then casually slipped his hand beneath her shirt.
No one else in the private room even reacted. They continued drinking, chatting, doing whatever they pleased.
Marcus never kept a woman once his interest faded. The others always took their turns. It was routine.
The next morning, at breakfast.
Helena had risen early on purpose, personally preparing breakfast—each dish carefully made from scratch.
Vivian was also up bright and early, spending extra time on her makeup, ensuring every detail was flawless before heading downstairs, completely satisfied with her reflection.
Marcus hadn't returned home until late the night before, having been out partying, and Selene had also dragged herself out of bed to attend breakfast.
But just as Julian came downstairs and everyone prepared to eat, they noticed something off.
Selene wasn't there.
Helena had instructed the maids not to wake her, worried she might be exhausted. That was why Selene was still nowhere to be seen.
"Honey, maybe Selene's just worn out," Helena said gently, her expression full of concern. "I'll take her some breakfast after we're done."
Vivian and Marcus remained silent, eating without comment.
Vivian knew she couldn't afford to confront Selene just yet, so she chose restraint this time.
Marcus, meanwhile, said nothing. Without Selene present, he had little interest. Those petty household power games bored him.
But Helena knew exactly how to provoke Julian.
Sure enough, his expression darkened the moment he heard her words.
"Call the butler," Julian snapped. "Have someone bring Selene down for breakfast. It's already late. Sleeping in like this is completely inappropriate."
Just as the butler turned to carry out the order, a calm voice came from the doorway.
"No, thanks."
Everyone at the table turned toward the sound.
Selene had been up early.
She had always believed mornings were the best time to regulate breathing and center the mind.
She was dressed in plain black workout clothes—no logos, no elaborate designs, nothing eye-catching. On an ordinary person, they would have looked basic.
On her, they radiated understated luxury.
Helena shot a sharp look at the maid.
The maid was already trembling, terrified—she genuinely hadn't known Selene had left the house.
Of course she hadn't.
Selene had slipped out quietly at dawn, deliberately avoiding attention. Only a few staff members and outer security might have seen her.
At the breakfast table, Selene noticed the empty seat reserved for her. She walked past Helena—who seemed ready to speak—and sat down calmly.
She ended up seated across from Marcus, with Vivian beside her.
Selene casually glanced at Vivian.
Vivian's knee suddenly began to ache for no apparent reason.
"All right," Julian said stiffly, trying to reclaim his authority. "Why are you up so early? Did you sleep well?"
But facing this daughter who resembled Maria so closely, guilt crept in despite himself.
Selene's mood was unexpectedly calm.
"Just used to it," she replied simply.
Julian understood immediately—she was distant, reserved, wasting no words. And his wrist still throbbed faintly from yesterday.
How could such a slender girl possess such terrifying strength?
What he didn't realize was that she'd merely pressed a pressure point. She hadn't used any real force at all.
Helena brushed her hair lightly and pushed a jewelry box toward Selene.
It was an old set she'd dug out the day before, something cheap and outdated—barely worth a few thousand. A gift from some insignificant social climber she'd once dismissed without a second glance.
Now, Helena figured Selene wouldn't know the difference. A low-cost gesture that would make her appear generous in Julian's eyes.
But she also knew—no matter how hard she tried to curry favor, Selene never responded.
Vivian glanced at the box and nearly laughed.
She knew that jewelry set very well.
Her mother truly had a talent for being disgusting.