On the other side, Natalia followed the maid into the villa.
Miller Butler stepped forward to greet them. "Welcome to Sapphire Valley Villa, Mr. Clark. Assistant Cole needs to confirm something with you. Please excuse yourself for a moment."
James, unable to contain his excitement, quickly gave Natalia a few instructions before hurrying off to meet Jack.
Miller Butler then turned to Natalia, recalling the lady of the house's instructions. A glint flickered in his eyes as he deliberately said, "Miss Selina, this way, please. The gentleman will join you shortly."
Natalia's smile faltered slightly. "Butler, I'm Natalia…"
Miller feigned confusion. "Oh? Natalia? But Noah mentioned that this partnership was being handled by Selina."
Natalia bit her lip in frustration, her eyes reddening as she subtly laid her trap.
"This project was originally under my sister's management, but she abruptly withdrew a few days ago, leaving me to take over on short notice. If there's anything I haven't handled well, I hope for your understanding."
Miller Butler pretended to frown disapprovingly. "Withdrew on short notice? That's awfully irresponsible!"
Natalia hastily put on a concerned expression, seemingly defending Selina.
"Butler, please don't be so harsh. My sister has been dealing with some personal issues. Ryan and I are preparing for our wedding, and she's been feeling upset about it, which is why…"
Miller Butler's eyes gleamed as he asked, "Oh? But how does your upcoming marriage with Mr. Carter concern Selina? Could it really be enough to make her abandon the project entirely?"
Natalia hesitated, calculating the impact of her next words. If Miller Butler knew certain things, it wouldn't be long before rumors spread across high society...
She shook her head and offered a pained smile.
"Butler, you might not know this, but my sister also had feelings for Ryan. After certain... events, my father scolded her, and she left home in a fit of anger."
Miller raised an eyebrow with feigned disdain. "Certain events? Are you suggesting your sister tried to steal your fiancé?"
Exactly! That's precisely what Natalia wanted to imply.
Selina had mocked her for being a homewrecker, but what if the narrative flipped in her favor? What if high society saw Selina as the shameless one?
Natalia gasped in mock alarm, clutching her hands together. "Miller Butler, please don't say that out loud! She's still my sister. If this got out, it would ruin her reputation. I beg you, keep this a secret."
Miller Butler stifled a laugh, feeling the weight of the recording device in his pocket.
"You're truly kindhearted to think about your sister despite everything, Miss Clark. I'll prepare some tea for you. Please, make yourself comfortable."
As Miller Butler left, Natalia couldn't help but feel smug.
After today, Selina would be in a completely different league.
Natalia envisioned herself as Logan's esteemed guest at Sapphire Valley Villa, her status ascending to new heights. Selina, on the other hand, would be forever branded as a mistress, scraping by on the dregs of her dignity.
Natalia stepped further into the villa, her heart pounding with anticipation as she crafted various strategies to win Logan's favor.
Her excitement, however, was short-lived.
From behind the sofa, a familiar voice rang out.
"So this is what my dear sister says about me behind my back? I'm the mistress? What's the matter, Natalia? Did you and Ryan both suddenly develop amnesia? Such memory loss at your age—I'd suggest seeing a doctor."
…
The air stilled for half a minute before Natalia's face turned ashen.
Selina?!
Moments ago, she had been reveling in the thought that Sapphire Valley Villa was a place Selina could never dream of entering.
But now, here Selina was!
Leaning casually over the back of the sofa, Selina looked utterly at ease.
"Well, sister? Cat got your tongue?"
The nearby staff glanced over instinctively.
Natalia clenched her teeth in fury. How could Selina possibly be here at Sapphire Valley Villa?
She must have taken advantage of Logan's invitation to sneak in!
Natalia feigned concern, her voice soft and worried: "Sister, why are you here? Do you even know where this is?"
Selina blinked innocently. "If you can be here, why can't I?"
"That's not what I meant, sister." Natalia's eyes brimmed with tears as she helplessly shook her head.
"But Mr. Reid didn't invite you. If you're using my invitation to sneak in and he finds out, he'll surely throw you out. Why would you do something so reckless?"
Selina smirked meaningfully. "Who said I used your invitation?"
Natalia sighed dramatically. "I know you're upset, but I'm just stating the truth. Mr. Reid only invited me, not you."
"Sister, you might be the eldest daughter of the Clark family, but growing up in the countryside, you wouldn't know the rules of high society. Showing up uninvited is a serious faux pas—especially to someone as distinguished as Mr. Reid. This is so disrespectful!"
"Leave now, before Mr. Reid notices. I'm only saying this for your own good!"
Selina replied nonchalantly, "And if I don't leave?"
Natalia's frustration bubbled beneath her composed exterior, but she maintained an air of martyrdom.
"My father and I are here to discuss an important partnership. If you upset Mr. Reid and the family loses its funding, what then? Could you, just this once, think about the family and stop causing trouble?"
Selina let out a derisive laugh.
Natalia's words were crafted to paint Selina as selfish and irresponsible, someone who disregarded her family's well-being.
Well, if that's the image Natalia wanted to push, how could Selina disappoint her?
"If I'm really capable of cutting off the family's funding, then I absolutely must stay."
Natalia's face crumpled with exaggerated despair, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Sister, how could you be so heartless? What did I ever do to you to deserve this?"
At that moment, the front doors swung open, and James entered alongside Jack.
James immediately spotted Natalia's tear-streaked face and, out of habit, barked, "Selina! Are you bullying Natalia again? This is no place for you!"
He turned with a servile smile toward Jack. "Assistant Cole, I apologize for my eldest daughter's uninvited appearance. I'll get her out of here right away!"
Jack's expression turned icy with disdain.
Selina snorted. "Which eye of yours saw me bullying Natalia?"
James, already fuming, snapped, "Are you saying I'd accuse you unfairly?"
Selina's voice was laced with frost. "The moment my dear sister arrived at Sapphire Valley Villa, she started spreading rumors, calling me the mistress in front of others. I haven't even accused her of projecting her own guilt, and here you are scolding me."
"Sometimes, I really wonder—are you even my father? How else could you be so blatantly biased?"
James froze, his face tightening with guilt. "You! You have the nerve to talk back after sneaking in? If you upset Mr. Reid, no one will be able to save you! Get out now!"
Jack narrowed his eyes, about to interject, when suddenly—
A cold, commanding voice rang out from the second floor.
"Mr. Clark, it seems you're unfamiliar with the rules of Sapphire Valley Villa."
The entire room fell silent in an instant.
All eyes turned toward Logan as he descended the staircase, exuding an aura of authority and indifference. His gaze swept over everyone, regal and unyielding, like a god surveying mortals.
Sweat beaded on James's forehead. He was acutely aware of the villa's most critical rule: no disturbances, as Mr. Reid cherished peace and quiet.
James shot Selina a venomous glare before turning to Logan with a fawning smile. "Mr. Reid, I deeply apologize. I was just reprimanding my daughter—"
Logan's chilling laugh cut him off.
"Oh? And what exactly were you reprimanding her for, Mr. Clark? Please, do enlighten me."