A sharp slap across her cheek couldn't have stung more than this moment.
"What took you so long?" Selene snapped, her voice sharp as glass, as the driver hurried to open the back door.
"Ma'am… it's the boss—your husband. He sent me on some errands," the driver explained nervously. "That's why I'm late."
Selene scoffed, her lips curling in disgust. "Useless."
She slid into the car without another glance.
Mr. Stanley hesitated for a second. He had intended to ask about the items she went to get at the mall—but one look at her empty hands and stormy expression told him everything he needed to know.
Did she get into a fight? he wondered, stealing quick glances at her through the mirror.
The drive back to the Woods residence was silent, thick with tension. Selene leaned back, her arm resting on her chin, her mind replaying the earlier encounter.
Olivia.
The name alone left a bitter taste.
"So she owns that massive shopping mall…" Selene muttered under her breath, disbelief laced with envy. "Who would have thought?"
Hansen must've built it for her, a voice whispered in her head. That should have been you.
Selene shut her eyes tightly and shook her head.
If only she had been more patient… just a little smarter… maybe she wouldn't have suffered the humiliation she faced today.
"You're such an idiot," she hissed, smacking her forehead.
"Ma'am? Did you say something?" the driver asked, startled.
She didn't respond.
Mr. Stanley gripped the steering wheel tighter, confusion swirling in his head as he merged into the busy street.
Yeah… I get it, Selene thought bitterly. I'm the loser. But did she have to rub it in so badly?
Fifteen minutes later, the maroon Mercedes rolled into the Woods residence.
Selene exhaled, ready to disappear into the safety of her home—away from judgment, away from shame.
But the moment the car stopped, her breath hitched.
"Please, sir! We have nowhere else to go!" a woman cried desperately.
"At least let me get a few of my belongings!" she begged, clutching at one of the men's sleeves.
Selene froze.
"What's going on?" she whispered, panic rising.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait… isn't that—my daughter?"
"Ma'am," the driver said cautiously, "that's Miss Sienna… and those men… they look like they're from the bank."
The words hit her like a thunderbolt.
"The bank…?"
Her chest tightened.
They had come a month ago—issuing warnings, threatening to seize everything if the debt wasn't paid.
"Oh no…" she breathed. "Why is everything falling apart at once?"
"Mom! Mom!"
Sienna spotted her first and ran over, relief flooding her face.
"My mom is back! Let's see if you people can still try this nonsense!" she snapped boldly at the men.
Selene stepped out slowly, her legs suddenly heavy.
"Mom, thank God you're here," Sienna said, grabbing her handbag and pulling her along. "These men are trying to throw us out! They said everything here belongs to them now—even the house!"
Her voice trembled despite her bravado.
"They've already locked the house. They won't even let me take my things… not even a few!"
Selene's heart sank.
"I'm so sorry, dear," she murmured, forcing calm into her voice. "What about your father? Have you tried calling him?"
"I have, Mom. His phone isn't reachable."
Selene closed her eyes briefly.
This is bad…
Their finances were already crumbling. Feeding themselves had become a struggle. Staff salaries unpaid. And now—this.
Her gaze shifted to the workers standing nearby, arms folded, watching everything unfold.
The humiliation burned.
How could she even face them now?
"Madam," a tall man stepped forward, his tone firm but controlled. "It's good you're here. Let's not complicate things."
"You and your husband failed to honor the agreement you signed. It's only right we enforce the terms."
Selene inhaled deeply.
"You're right," she said stiffly. "We're at fault. But things have been difficult lately. If you can just give us a little more time, I promise—"
"Madam," another man cut in, dressed in a sharp royal blue suit. His voice was cold, dismissive. "You're no longer in a position to make promises."
"If you couldn't pay before, what exactly has changed now? Or do you plan to perform a miracle?"
Selene's fists clenched.
The audacity.
"It's not my fault," she snapped internally. "I blame my husband. His foolish business decisions put us here—and now he's nowhere to be found!"
"Madam," the man repeated, irritation creeping into his tone. "I asked you a question."
Arrogant fool, she cursed silently.
"Mom," Sienna whispered anxiously, "they're not going to budge. What do we do?"
"Give me a moment to think!" Selene snapped, brushing her off.
This wasn't the time.
"Madam," another officer said bluntly, "since you have no concrete repayment plan, you, your daughter, and your staff need to vacate immediately."
"From this moment, this property—and everything in it—belongs to the bank."
Silence.
Heavy. Crushing.
"And if you refuse to comply," the man in the blue suit added, adjusting his cuffs, "there will be serious legal consequences."
"If you feel wronged, get a lawyer. We'll see you in court."
He signaled to the security personnel.
Selene stood frozen.
Numb.
Helpless.
This wasn't just a setback.
This wasn't just humiliation.
This… was a full-blown collapse.
A brutal, undeniable slap across the cheek.