The living room remained locked in silence, every gaze fixed on Selene Voss, waiting for her apology.
Helena Voss was just about to step in—already preparing her familiar display of gentleness—when Selene suddenly smiled.
Even Vivian Voss had to admit it.
Selene was breathtaking.
For a brief, dangerous moment, Marcus Voss forgot everything else—including the fact that Selene was his half-sister. His heart skipped, his breath hitching before he could stop it.
He had been exposed to the darker side of the world since his early teens. Among the privileged circles he ran with, indulgence was effortless and consequence rare. On the surface, Marcus maintained the image of a polite, refined young master. Beneath it, he was anything but innocent.
Models. Students. Actresses. Bar girls.
If he wanted someone, money always spoke louder than morals.
And now—
What if he wanted Selene?
The thought sent a thrill through him—dangerous, forbidden, intoxicating. The more he entertained it, the harder it became to look away.
She stood alone, calm under pressure, her spine straight, her presence unyielding. Marcus assumed she'd break like the others. A touch of kindness. A hint of protection. Enough to make her crumble into grateful tears.
From where he stood, he caught the faint curve of her lashes as she lifted her eyes.
That was all it took.
He was hooked.
But Selene's smile was never decorative.
When she smiled like that, someone was about to suffer.
Unfortunately, the Voss family hadn't learned that yet.
And by the time they did—
It would be far too late.
Her gaze was deep and still, like a dark pool with no visible bottom.
Without a word, Selene reached into her pocket and withdrew a small black flip phone. It was old, unbranded, clearly inexpensive—so unremarkable it barely drew attention.
Until the speaker crackled to life.
Vivian's voice rang through the room—sharp, cold, and venomous.
"Your mom's dead. Why did you even come back? There's no place for you in this house."
The air froze.
Vivian's face drained of colour, her body stiffening as though the ground had vanished beneath her feet. Around them, the maids stood stunned, unable to reconcile the sweet, gentle Second Miss with the cruelty they'd just heard.
That tone—
It was terrifying.
Worse still, it was unmistakably malicious.
Julian Voss slowly turned toward Vivian, disbelief etched across his features. His cherished daughter—the one who had spoken so tenderly just moments ago—
Had said something so vicious?
His hand rose instinctively, anger surging—
But he wasn't fast enough.
A sharp slap echoed through the room.
Vivian screamed, the sound piercing and shrill. The pain on her cheek was nothing compared to the shock crushing her chest.
The slap had come from her own mother.
Helena Voss stood rigid, fury blazing in her eyes. Julian's expression darkened like an approaching storm, and only then did the truth fully crash down on Vivian—
She had made a fatal mistake.
That recording.
How could she have been so careless?
Helena's palm throbbed, but her heart ached even more. She hated striking her daughter, but if she hadn't intervened, Vivian would have fallen into an abyss she couldn't climb out of.
Julian watched in silence. The punishment had already been delivered. Helena's timing had been precise—cutting the issue off before it spiralled further. His anger eased, though it didn't disappear entirely.
Helena turned sharply to Vivian, her voice rising as she scolded her.
"Vivian, is this how I raised you? I understand you were afraid Selene's return would take away your father's affection, but what you did was unacceptable. Selene is your sister. She's suffered enough—and we've only just found her again. How could you let jealousy drive you to such cruelty?"
With a few carefully chosen words, Helena reframed Vivian's malice as youthful insecurity—an explanation Julian could accept.
And accept it, he did.
Then Helena turned toward Selene, hedemeanouror shifting instantly. Her voice softened, tinged with remorse.
"Selene, Vivian wasn't thinking. If you wish to punish her, I won't interfere. I only hope this doesn't destroy the bond between you. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I failed as her mother.
Please… allow me to apologize on her behalf."
Selene slowly raised her gaze.
Her eyes burned—sharp, defiant, untamed.
"You think I'm easy to trample?"
Helena stiffened, quickly lowering her head, her tone turning even gentler. "No—of course not. That's not what I meant. If you're still upset, I'll make it right. Whatever it takes."
Clenching her jaw, Helena turned back to Vivian.
One look was enough.
Vivian's eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward, her posture fragile, pitiful.
"Sis… I was wrong. Please forgive me. I shouldn't have acted out of jealousy. I was just scared—scared you'd take away Dad's love."
She cast a desperate glance toward Julian, searching for sympathy.
He hesitated.
Vivian was the daughter he had raised. Seeing her like this hurt—but stepping in now would only provoke Selene further. And deep down, he knew she had crossed an unforgivable line.
So he remained silent.
Seeing that, panic crept into Vivian's eyes.
"If you're still angry… I'll kneel and apologize. Just—please forgive me."