Chapter 504

Chapter 504

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“Next door?” Selena turned sharply. The smile on her face remained, but her eyes hardened. “Just next door p>

“Yes, Miss,” the servant replied politely. “Miss Eli’s room has been prepared as requested. So has yours.

Selena stepped back into the corridor and glanced at the door opposite. She gave a small nod, as if accepting although clearly not fully satisfied. Then she turned back to the servant.

“And where is Althea’s room?” she asked lightly, as if merely curious. “Where is she staying p>

The servant hesitated for a fraction of a second brief, but long enough for Selena to sense the calculation. Is this something I’m allowed to say?

“You’re forbidden to tell me, aren’t you?” Selena guessed, her lips curling into a thin smile.

“No, Miss Selena. It’s just that p>

“Just tell me where p>

The servant let out a quiet breath.

“Mrs. Althea’s family quarters are in the right-wing pavilion,” she said at last. “It’s a separate area from the main house p>

Selena let out a soft laugh. “Separate?” She tilted her head. “Interesting. Why separate p>

“That was Mrs. Riana’s decision,” the servant answered without hesitation. “The right-wing pavilion is reserved exclusively for Mrs. Althea’s family p>

The word reserved made Selena’s smile stiffen. Her chest churned with a mix of jealousy and irritation. Althea’s family. The phrase cut deep, as if this house had long since decided who truly belonged within its walls.

“I see,” Selena said softly. “Oh—one more thing,” she added, as if suddenly remembering something important. “The woman sitting beside Althea earlier. Who is she p>

The servant answered without hesitation. “She is Mrs. Althea’s close friend, Miss. She is also the fiancée of Mr.

Cale Miller p>

There was a brief pause after that response.

Selena’s smile spread again-this time sharper. “Cale’s fiancée?” she repeated. “It seems this family is very quick to make room for outsiders p>

The servant didn’t respond. She merely lowered her head politely. “Is there anything else I can assist you with, Miss Selena p>

“No,” Selena replied curtly. “Very well. Bring my belongings. I want to rest. And make sure my daughter receives the best service p>

The servant gave a short nod and followed Selena out of the room prepared for Eli. Just before leaving completely, Selena turned back to Eli.

“Good night, my daughter. Remember everything I’ve told you p>

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Chapter 504

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Eli lowered her head even further. Those words made her feel smaller, more powerless. Her mother truly had control over her. Was there anything she could do-just a little-to breathe freely outside her mother’s grasp?

Once her mother left with the servant and the door closed, Eli sat on the edge of the bed, her head bowed, her mind crowded with too many thoughts.

“Should I message Josh?” Eli whispered hesitantly.

Today was utterly exhausting. Suddenly, she missed her small bedroom in the quiet house far from the city center-and even the apartment.

Selena, on the other hand, felt entirely different. Once the servant left, she stood alone in the middle of the room and closed her eyes for a moment. Satisfaction still coursed strongly through her veins-she was here, in the Miller house. Yet alongside it, resentment gnawed at her. She opened her eyes and surveyed the room, as if daring the walls to acknowledge her fully.

“Just wait, Althea. I’ll make sure you’re the one who leaves this house,” Selena sneered with satisfaction, already eager to execute her grand plan within these walls. “We’ll see how long you can last. Whether your husband can protect you when he needs so much support himself p>

The next morning, the dining room-meant to be filled with warmth and cheer-shifted abruptly.

The tension became palpable the moment Selena entered, dressed in an immaculate gown with flawless makeup. When she spotted Althea sitting at the end of the table, Selena stopped in her tracks.

“Oh,” she said, her voice sweet but laced with sarcasm. “You’re still here? I thought you’d gone back to your own home p>

Althea lifted her gaze, unhurried. “This is my home p>

“Selena!” Nathan snapped sharply. “Watch your tone p>

Selena let out a soft laugh. She turned to Nathan with a wounded look. “I’m trying to mind my words, Mr. Miller. But when someone else claims ownership of your house, I can’t help feeling irritated p>

Her gaze slid back to Althea, openly condescending. “This isn’t her house, is it? It’s almost amusing how an outsider can live here freely, while I-Chase’s child’s mother-had to wait for permission p>

Riana set her teacup down with a sharp clatter. “What exactly did you just say, Selena p>

Selena turned quickly. “I’m simply talking about fairness, Mrs. Miller. Shouldn’t things be fair? Althea and I both have children by Chase p>

Eli flinched. Her face drained of color. She hadn’t expected to hear something so awkward-so deeply uncomfortable-this early in the morning.

Althea rose slowly to her feet. “No,” she said calmly. “We are not the same p>

Selena narrowed her eyes. “Oh really? What’s the difference p>

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