After picking up a modest present within her budget, Selina returned home, hoping he would like it and find it worth keeping.
Once Selina finished refreshing herself, she stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her chest, swaying her body side to side in a playful dance as she hummed a sweet melody.
She hopped from one spot to another, then stumbled across her dressing desk. Sitting down, she stared at her reflection, brushing her sleek, long brown hair with a comb.
She wished she could attend the party as her most alluring self. Maybe her beauty would attract him, since wealthy men like him adore beautiful women. But she worried he might not recognize her as that 'ugly waitress.'
Selina sighed, her shoulders slumping as a thought crossed her mind. She couldn't be selfish and impulsive enough to ruin his day because of the scandal surrounding her identity.
In no time, Selina finished brushing her hair and packed it into a wig net. She then reached for a short black bob wig from the tabletops and wore it on her head, followed by gray contact lenses to conceal her cinnamon eyes.
With a brow pencil, Selina shaped her thin brow into a thicker form. She then added some dots beneath her eyes before donning her round glasses, which brought back an unattractive energy to her alluring appearance.
After applying some hideous makeup, she changed into a short-sleeved, white flared dress made of cheap crepe fabric, which stopped above her knees with a squared neckline that revealed a hint of cleavage. It was a recent creation of hers, intended to be posted for sale online.
However, since she needed to look modest in her already worn dresses for the evening, wearing this new one herself wouldn't be a bad idea. After putting on her wedge heels, she reached for her purse and the present she had already wrapped in a small gift box adorned with a ribbon.
After spraying a pleasant perfume all over her body, a smile graced her lips, reaching her eyes.
Satisfied with her preparations, Selina stood up from the chair and moved past the dressing table, heading out of her room.
***
Selina eventually arrived at the Cassius Hotel, owned by the Cassius Conglomerate. Inside the ballroom, classical musicians were performing soothing melodies under the spotlight on a platform. The velvety, mellow ambience mingled with the rich laughter and animated conversation of the elites.
The sophisticated and glamorous atmosphere made Selina's heart race with nervousness as she settled herself into a secluded corner.
This evening felt like a scene from a high society movie. She had never expected to mingle with such people so soon, given her deprived rights, social status, and infamous reputation. A strong desire to enter this world someday filled her thoughts.
Trying to blend in with the sharp stares of some onlookers that occasionally fell upon her, she picked up a glass of wine from a table laden with piled glasses and desserts.
She raised it to her lips, but her hand trembled along with the glass.
"Stay calm, Selina. They're not monsters," she muttered under her breath, drinking in one go.
Frustrated that she had to maintain an elegant poise rather than act like a toddler learning to eat, she carefully dropped the empty wine glass.
Feeling overwhelmed, Selina searched for the celebrant and noticed Zane across the room. His energetic presence was noticeable in the crowd as his muscular frame was clad in a tailored black suit that fit him perfectly.
He sipped his drink leisurely while he rarely spoke to those around him, as if he were too disinterested to engage. Yet, he radiated a unique charm that always made Selina's heart race loudly in a way she had never experienced with any man before.
A slight smile settled onto her lips as she became mesmerised by his allure, but when her sparkling gaze met his intense stare, her admiration flickered into embarrassment.
Selina quickly shifted her gaze to the side of the room, blinking blankly.
Did he catch her admiring him? She wasn't sure.
"Is that Hudson's second daughter?" asked Noah, a young man standing beside Zane. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of Selina in the distance.
As expected, Zane didn't respond.
"How could she be unattractive when her eldest sister and stepmother are famous as the most beautiful women in our country?" Noah exclaimed, intrigue dripping from his voice as he scanned Selina from head to toe. Despite her modest appearance, he couldn't deny that she had a delicate figure.
Noah turned to Zane and asked, "Do you think she would be entertaining if she became my girlfriend? She might not be beautiful, but often her kind are the most beautiful at heart."
Zane remained silent, suppressing a ridiculous snort at Noah's compliment.
Beautiful at heart?
He didn't believe she had any beauty within her, especially with her father's blood running in her veins. Besides, her appearance hadn't changed for anything more attractive in the past three years.
She's still an ugly swan!
Zane shifted his intense gaze from Selina to the approaching group.
"Welcome home, Zane." a soft, feminine voice said. Her warm smile holds a hint of expectation, and a touch of admiration for his return.
Zane scanned the group, recognising a woman in her early forties, a young lady in her early twenties, and a man in his late fifties as members of the Everett family.
"We're glad you're back. It'll be easier to work together now, with you here." added the man, Hudson in a polite tone, while Zane merely snorted in response.
Zane offers a brief nod, his expression unreadable, as if the formality was a second nature to him. "Thank you." His cripsy voice was smooth but detached.
"I hope our collaboration continues to yield outstanding achievements as we've aimed for," Leah uttered, recognizing Zane as the new CEO of the Cassius Conglomerate.
"Sure, it will go just as we expect, as long as we work together. I won't let your trust down," Zane responded, his tone confident yet laced with unspoken intentions, as he took another leisurely sip of champagne.
Leah and her husband, Hudson, chuckled at Zane's bold assurance.
"We have no doubts about it. You've stepped into the CEO role with ease." Leah's voice carries a genuine compliment.
Recalling a relevant matter, Hudson said. "I heard there's a recent project at hand in your company, and my team is looking forward to collaborating. I await your feedback."
Zane adjusted his classic rectangular-framed glasses on his sharp, aquiline nose as he spoke. "I've been so busy lately that I missed it. Currently, my company is working on crucial affairs, and we can't make rash decisions by accepting a new contract."
"I hope it doesn't take long to get your feedback," Hudson chimed in softly.
"Probably," Zane muttered flatly and then took a sip of his wine, causing Leah and Hudson to exchange unsatisfied glances.
Hudson wore a slight smile before saying, "You wouldn't find it disappointing. It would be a pleasure to be part of this new project." He stretched out his hand for a handshake, and Zane met the hand hanging in the air.
Noticing Hudson's presumptuous offer, Zane shifted his gaze to Hudson's optimistic expression. Feeling embarrassed, Hudson pulled his hand back when Zane slid his hands into his pants pockets. He exchanged a puzzled look with his family, wondering about Zane's indifferent reaction.
Leah, perceptive to the atmosphere, found nothing suspicious about Zane's aloof attitude and quickly changed the subject.
Leah turned to a young lady standing between her and Hudson. "Clarissa, this is Zane. You've been trying to reach out to him for a long time. Now that he's here, say hi to him," she said playfully.
Clarissa's coral-red lips curled into a smile at her mother's antics, revealing her excitement to meet Zane again.
"Zane, it's been a while," Clarissa whispered, extending her hand toward him.
Zane glanced at her welcoming hand in the air but didn't take it.
"Hmm," Zane hummed. "It has been a while, and I can see you're in good shape."
Clarissa maintained her gaze on his icy stare. "Yes, Mother and Father are doing their best to take care of me. It's all thanks to them."
Leah and Hudson shared a proud smile at their daughter's gratitude.
"I see," Zane muttered, clenching his jaw in a tight line while he swept his gaze across them.
It was obvious they appeared as a perfect family, whereas he had none.