Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked with my head held high. Everyone looked at me with confusion and annoyance as I passed, their gazes sharp and full of judgment, but none of them dared to meet my eyes. I didn\u2019t bother paying them any attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I reached the main courtyard, several maids were standing at the entrance, Emma, Sienna\u2019s maid, and at the front, Hannah, my stepmother\u2019s main servant. Hannah stood there with her arms crossed, looking smug, as if she owned the place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment they saw me, they froze. Emma\u2019s face went pale, and I could even see her swallow hard. Hannah\u2019s expression didn\u2019t change, though; she kept that same arrogant frown on her face as she stared at me, looking down as if I were still beneath her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked forward, unbothered by any of them. When I reached the front door and was about to step inside, Hannah suddenly blocked my path.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going, Selene?\u201d she said, her tone sharp and mocking. \u201cYou can\u2019t enter without per-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before she could finish, my hand moved on its own. The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the courtyard, her head snapping to the side. She staggered, lost her balance, and crumpled to the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gasps rippled through the maids. Emma clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief, like she couldn\u2019t comprehend that someone as meek as me could strike without hesitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Poor thing. She was about to learn that a slap was mercy compared to what I was capable of.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hannah held her cheek, staring up at me with disbelief. \u201cY-you\u2026 how dare you!\u201d she stammered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes darkened, and I tilted my head slightly. \u201cDo you want another one?\u201d I asked, my voice low and dangerous. \u201cBecause I\u2019m more than happy to give it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She went still immediately, trembling as she lowered her gaze, afraid of what I might do next. Every servant in the courtyard looked at me as if I was a crazy person but it didn\u2019t fraze me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLearn your place, servant,\u201d I said, voice cold. \u201cCross that line again and you\u2019ll wish you\u2019d never been born. Belonging to my stepmother doesn\u2019t give you the right to act however you please. Call me by my name again, and that slap won\u2019t be a warning. Keep disrespecting me, and next time nobody will know where your body ends up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hannah visibly shook, terror stripping the color from her face. Emma\u2019s hands twisted the fabric of her dress, fingers white with fear. Normally I\u2019d have ignored them, but I wasn\u2019t in the mood to play the fool today. It was better I taught them this lesson myself, if Mira got involved, the consequences would be far worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hannah didn\u2019t dare say another word. Her lips pressed tight, her gaze dropping to the floor. I could see the humiliation burning in her eyes, the way her pride cracked under pressure. She might be a servant, but she wasn\u2019t just any servant, she oversaw everything in the household after my stepmother. She made the schedules, organized the staff, and whispered in the right ears when she wanted something done. People in the temple respected her more than they respected me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was why she had always felt bold enough to bully me, because no one ever stopped her. Because, in her mind, I was the weak daughter, the one without power, the one who would lower her head and take whatever she threw at me. But that Selene was long gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If she still thought I would allow myself to be bullied, she must be dreaming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned away from her and walked down the corridor. The sight before me was as extravagant as I remembered. This was where my father and stepmother lived. Where they hosted guests and conducted important meetings like the one happening today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, they were discussing Sienna\u2019s wolf.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And, most likely, what to do with me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A small smile curved on my lips. I wanted to be part of that conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I reached the door to the meeting room, I didn\u2019t hesitate. I pushed it open with both hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The heavy doors swung wide, the echo slicing through the air. Every head in the room turned to look at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
About twenty people sat around the long table, my father, my stepmother, Sienna, and several elders from my father\u2019s bloodline. Each of them wore the same smug, superior expression, as if this house and everything in it belonged to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their faces shifted at the sight of me, especially Sienna. Her face drained of color immediately, her fingers clutching her dress. My father\u2019s expression hardened, his brows knitting together in anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSelene Bloodrose,\u201d he said sharply, his tone cutting through the tension. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing? How dare you just barge in here?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, unbothered. \u201cSince the conversation involves me, Father, I decided to join.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A murmur rippled through the room. I could feel the disapproval, irritation, shock radiating from them. I ignored it and stepped further inside, lifting my chin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides,\u201d I said, my voice clear, \u201cI think I deserve to be in this meeting more than anyone else here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every eye in the room turned hard, faces tightening with barely contained anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stepmother leaned forward, her painted lips twisting. \u201cHave you lost your damn mind, Selene?\u201d she snapped. \u201cDo you not see the elders sitting here? Not only are you speaking out of turn, but you didn\u2019t even greet them when you entered. How disrespectful can you be?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese elders have been here since before you were born. Show some manners and know your place.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, I knew my place. But it wasn\u2019t beneath them anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at the so-called elders, their faces drawn tight with annoyance and superiority, the kind only people who believed they were untouchable wore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the older men turned to my stepmother with a sigh. \u201cDon\u2019t mind her,\u201d he said, waving a wrinkled hand dismissively. \u201cShe\u2019s spoiled and behaves like a child. After so many years, I thought she would finally have the sense to behave properly, but it seems she cannot. She will forever be a fool, unlike her sister.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he turned to Sienna, his entire demeanor shifting as though he was looking at some goddess descended from the heavens. His face softened, and he smiled at her warmly. \u201cThis child, the two of you raised her well. Her temperament is perfect. Such grace, and restraint. It\u2019s a shame, truly, that the white wolf was given to someone who didn\u2019t deserve it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His gaze flicked back to me, his lips curling ever so slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I just looked back at him, amused.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beside him, my stepmother smiled. \u201cI know, right? Out of the two of them, Sienna has always been the most worthy. I don\u2019t know why the Moon Goddess would make such a mistake and give this stupid child the white wolf.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old man nodded in agreement. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. Sienna has the black wolf, it\u2019s strong, and powerful. I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll make us proud.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna looked down at her lap, blushing softly, as though she was shy from the attention. \u201cT-thank you, Elder. I really appreciate it,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:54 Tue, Dec 23 MG.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old man smiled at her approvingly before another woman, one of the female elders, turned toward me. Her expression was filled with disgust.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re still standing there?\u201d she barked. \u201cWhen are you going to get out, you damn child? You\u2019re not welcome here. We are still discussing what to do with you. Go to your room for now. We will call for you when we have decided your fate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She sniffed, her chin lifting arrogantly. \u201cEven if you have the white wolf and Alpha Adrian as your mate, that doesn\u2019t mean you deserve anything good. Don\u2019t offend us further, child, or we\u2019ll make your situation harder than it already is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, I just stared at them before the absurdity of it all hit me. And I laughed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I laughed until I had to clutch my sides and tears pricked at my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room fell silent. Everyone just stared at me like I had lost my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a moment, I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye and sighed dramatically. \u201cOh Goddess\u2026 these people are so funny,\u201d I said, shaking my head. \u201cI honestly don\u2019t know if I should be offended or amused. Maybe you should all get checked in the head, just to make sure everything\u2019s still working properly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the elders slammed his hand against the table, his voice booming. \u201cWhat did you just say?!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, crossing my arms. \u201cBesides, why should I go to my room?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their brows furrowed in confusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween all of us here,\u201d I continued, voice firm, \u201cwho do you think deserves to be in this meeting?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re all just a bunch of old people with wrinkled pride and no divine blood to show for it. You\u2019re not directly linked to the Moonborn line. You\u2019re only here because you\u2019re related to my father.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took a step closer, my gaze unwavering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the Moonborn. I carry the white wolf, the Goddess\u2019s own gift.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I straightened my back, my voice ringing through the room with authority.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo tell me, who deserves to be here more than me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u7530\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Chapter 37\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 56 Chapter 56\u00a0 Chapter 56\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 I walked with my head held high. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27850"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27850\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}