Chapter 26 – What Goes Around Comes Around
The weekend auction was bustling with wealthy elites and socialites, all vying for prized possessions. Normally, Selene had little interest in such events, but when she glanced at the final item up for bid, her blood ran cold.
A necklace.
Not just any necklace—it was her mother’s.
Her fingers tightened around the auction booklet as realization struck. Zephyr. He had actually gone so far as to sell off her mother’s belongings for profit.
Her jaw clenched. Fine. If he wanted to play dirty, she would teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget.
She took a seat, her presence commanding despite the whispers already starting to swirl around her.
Then, like clockwork, Lyra Wren arrived—flanked by two women who clung to her like shadows. The trio exuded arrogance, their entrance intentionally dramatic, drawing the eyes of many attendees.
The moment Lyra spotted Selene, her lips curled into a mocking sneer. Without hesitation, she made her way over, her tone sweet yet laced with venom.
“Selene? What are you doing here?”
Selene, unfazed, met her gaze with a slow, amused smile. “If someone like you can be here, why can’t I?”
Lyra’s composure faltered, but she quickly recovered. Selene should have been nothing now—stripped of her family’s favor, waiting for her divorce papers. Yet here she was, seated with an air of unshaken confidence.
One of Lyra’s companions leaned in, whispering something that made her smirk widen.
Then, the woman turned to the crowd and raised her voice deliberately. “Excuse me, but how exactly do the organizers verify their guests? Are they letting in just anyone these days?”
A murmur spread.
Her words weren’t subtle. She was clearly implying that Selene no longer belonged in these circles.
Another woman chimed in, eyes gleaming with malice. “Selene, weren’t you disowned by the Carter family? You’ve lost your title, haven’t you?”
A ripple of whispers swept through the crowd.
“I heard she got kicked out. Looks like it’s true.”
“But isn’t she still married to Mr. Vale?”
“Barely. I heard the Vales can’t wait to get rid of her.”
“Serves her right. She forced that marriage from the start.”
The biting words were meant to shake Selene, but she simply laughed, completely unaffected.
She turned her gaze to Lyra, her voice smooth as silk. “Lyra, is your family’s financial situation still stable? Maybe they should be the ones undergoing a credit check.”
One of Lyra’s lackeys scoffed. “As if! Lyra has Mr. Vale’s supplementary credit card! Meanwhile, you? You’re the one who stole him away from her.”
Selene’s smile didn’t falter, but something flickered in her eyes. So, Lyra had access to Caspian’s money now.
Interesting.
Before Selene could reply, a manager hurried over, flanked by security guards. His face was a mask of nervous professionalism as he cleared his throat.
“Is there a problem here, ladies?”
Lyra’s companion immediately pointed at Selene. “This woman shouldn’t be here. She doesn’t belong.”
The manager hesitated. “Ma’am, all our guests undergo capital verification before being allowed in. We have no authority to remove anyone.”
The woman’s face twisted with frustration. “That’s impossible! She has nothing left—how could she possibly meet the requirements?”
Selene tilted her head, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
