That night, Everett didn''te home. Selena finally enjoyed a rare good night''s sleep without his relentless demands. She woke up well past sunrise.


    When she headed downstairs for lunch, she noticed Ava acting a bit off. Curious, Selena asked what was going on, but Ava just shook her head and said it was nothing, diving into some busywork to avoid the topic. Selena didn''t push further, but her instincts tingled when she saw the newspapers and magazines had all mysteriously disappeared. Something was definitely up.


    After lunch, she took her time wandering through the little garden, feeding the koi in the pond before heading back upstairs. Once in her room, she settled onto the couch with her iPad, casually scrolling through social media.


    She didn''t even have to look hard; the news was everywhere. Everett had been seen sneaking back to the apartment of a rising starlet in the middle of the night, igniting rumors of a fresh romance.


    Selena was caught off guard, not by the scandal itself, but by the fact that Everett''stest fling was someone new - it had always been Margot before! No wonder he hadn''te home; he''d spent the night at his new crush''s ce.


    Everett had quite the fanbase, both for his looks and his supposed rtionships. Thements section was flooded with crying emojis and heartbreak. Meanwhile, Nadia''s fans were celebrating, joking about weing a new "brother-inw" and suggesting they head straight to city hall for a wedding.


    A fewments reminded everyone that Mr. Bet had a wife, pondering what Mrs. Bet must think of her cheating husband. The disgust was palpable.


    Yet, others chimed in, defending him: [Mr. Bet and Mrs. Bet were in a loveless business marriage. Was it so wrong for him to seek true love? Mrs. Bet had enjoyed the perks of fame and wealth; she shouldn''t expect more, or she might find herself divorced!] Such remarks used to boil her blood, driving her to argue anonymously online. But now, she just shrugged them off with augh. After all, expecting love from a man who didn''t care was the real folly.


    Everett stayed away, and the gossip about him and Nadia only fanned the mes of spection. It didn''t take long for rumors to swirl about Nadia leaving her career behind to marry into wealth.


    Feeling indignant for Selena, Joy took her shopping to vent about Nadia''s shamelessness andck of decency Nadia had apparently orchestrated the whole affair, hiring paparazzi to leak the photos and using marketing ounts to stir the pot, making the rumors explode.


    Pet


    Selena felt detached and just nodded along with Joy''s rants before wandering into a men''s clothing store. She thought it was time to get some new outfits for her uncle for the uing season. With her aunt out of the picture, Selena felt it was her responsibility to take care of these things.


    She picked out a sharp-looking suit, and as the sales associate brought it over, a morous woman in dark sunsses approached. She was dripping in luxury and spoke with an air of superiority, "Mrs. Bet, you know who I am, right?" ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Selena barely nced at her, replying with cool indifference, "No, and I''m not interested."


    Nadia didn''t buy it, certain Selena was just ying coy. She took off her sunsses, revealing a meticulously made-up face, and introduced herself with smug confidence, "I''m Nadia. I''m with Everett now, and he really likes..." Before she could finish, Selena turned on her heel and walked away.


    Humiliated by the tant snub, Nadia leaned in spitefully, whispering, "Mrs. Bet, do you know why Everett can''t stand you? He says you''re like a dead fish in bed..."


    Smack! Without missing a beat, Selena''s hand connected with Nadia''s cheek, leaving her speechless.