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 don't want to make this difficult, but if you insist I stay in the basement, then fine. I'll stay there and let Mr. Brown know the situation later."
Natalia's expression froze.
James instinctively furrowed his brows. "What basement?"
Katie, suddenly uneasy, forced a smile and explained, "Oh, James, the house doesn't have any spare rooms. I thought, since Selina grew up in the countryside, she wouldn't mind where she stays, so I arranged for her to stay on the basement level. Who knew she'd throw a fit? Honestly, she's being so unreasonable."
James's face darkened.
These two fools!
Still creating trouble for Selina even now? Didn't they understand that getting Noah's approval depended entirely on Selina's goodwill?
But having spoiled Katie and Natalia for so many years, James was more frustrated with Selina's lack of cooperation.
With a scowl, he barked, "Fine. Basement it is. You've lived there before, haven't you? I'll 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 couldn't Selina just accept reality?
Selina blinked and responded, "Father, I'm asking for Natalia's 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, 'At the Clark Family, we do things differently—mistresses and illegitimate daughters are cherished while the legitimate daughter gets mistreated'? Let's see if Mr. Brown still wants to do business with you then."
She turned to leave. "But since you've 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 weren't for Noah arriving soon, James would've taught her a lesson!
Selina ignored the fury in James's eyes and lazily tilted her head. "Did you hear that, dear sister?"
Natalia's tears flowed instantly as she sobbed pitifully. "Sister…"
"Why are you still standing there?" Selina said with mock patience. "Pack up. I'm waiting to move in."
Natalia threw herself into Katie's 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! You're the elder sister; can't 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 they'd done nothing wrong?
She let out a mocking laugh and shrugged. "How Natalia sleeps isn't my concern. I'm not her mother."
Katie's whole body trembled with rage, nearly choking on her own words. "You… you're so cruel!"
"You think I'm cruel for 'taking' Natalia's room?" Selina asked, her tone icy.
Katie shrieked, "Isn't it obvious? Natalia was perfectly fine living here—"
"Have you all conveniently forgotten—"
Selina interrupted sharply, enunciating each word: "This was my room to begin with!"
The entire mansion fell into a deafening silence.
Katie's eyes widened in shock, and James froze stiff as a board.
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 I'm taking back what's rightfully mine, I'm the villain? If that makes me evil, then what were you and Natalia when you took my room and my life? If I'm truly as wicked as you say, shouldn't you both be apologizing with your lives?"
Katie stumbled back two steps, her face pale. "Selina, you—"
Selina didn't give her the chance to finish. Her voice was cutting.
"Mrs. Bryant, have you been living in this stolen nest so long you've 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. "Father—no, Mr. Clark—I've been patient and haven't said much, but since Mrs. Bryant insists I'm evil, perhaps I should let Noah decide who's in the right when he arrives?"
James felt a chill run down his spine and immediately shot Katie a furious glare. "Selina, there's no need to air family drama in front of others. Let's keep this between us. Noah will be here any minute, so don't cause a scene. And… why aren't you calling me 'Dad' anymore?"
Selina's expression was icy. "You? My dad? No, you're Natalia's 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 I'm not welcome here, I'll 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 Family's project would be doomed!
In desperation, James turned sharply and slapped Katie hard across the face.
Ignoring Katie's 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 can't handle being a stepmother properly, then get out!"
Selina turned back, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she watched James's performance.
Playing the part, James snapped at Natalia. "You're nothing but an illegitimate child. You don't deserve to live in such a nice room. Move out now and apologize to your sister for taking her room all this time!"
Tears streamed down Natalia's face as she choked out, "I'm sorry, Sister… I don't 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. Don't let them embarrass you in front of your guest. I'll 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 b—!"
"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 James's words seemed to snap Katie's 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 should've gotten rid of her years ago! What else is she good for besides seducing men? She's just a cheap little tramp—just like her mother—!"
Before she could finish, James's hand struck her again, sending her sprawling to the floor.