Chapter 119

Lydia texted Selim immediately after their call: "Hey, gig at Starlight Club tonight, you in?"

Selim replied, "For sure. Been cooped up avoiding drama, feel moldy. Could use a blast!"

Night fell, and Starlight Club throbbed with energy. The Rose's explosive performance nearly brought the house down. The crowd's roar for an encore was palpable. But the night truly belonged to Selina. No longer just a jewelry design contest champion, she was the internationally renowned designer, Angel—gorgeous, a martial arts expert, The Rose's lead guitarist, and the undeniable center of attention.

In the shadows, two figures observed.

"Manuel, are you serious about this?" Caleb glanced at the stage, then nervously at his friend. He knew how Selina/Angel had hurt Manuel, but this seemed reckless.

"I'm done, Caleb. Just wait here." Manuel's eyes burned with fierce determination. As The Rose's set ended, he rose to confront her.

"Manuel… everyone knows how this will end! Why torture yourself? I shouldn't have told you about the gig," Caleb despaired, already envisioning the tragic outcome. He could only pray for his friend.

After their performance, The Rose retreated to the backstage lounge.

Lydia exclaimed, "Awooo! It was all about Selina tonight! Did they even hear our music?"

Elaine burst in, fanatical fervor evident. "Our Selina's the star! My God, Selina! An autograph, please! I'm a huge Angel fan!"

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Since when? I've been your agent forever, and you've never been this obsessed."

Elaine cried, "Oh, a rich girl like you wouldn't understand! Angel's jewelry starts at hundreds of thousands! How can a broke agent afford that?"

After a brief sob, Elaine laughed, striking a pose. "I was shocked to learn Selina was Angel, but then I realized she'd given the band a bracelet! A super-limited-edition piece of Angel's collection!"

Selina signed an autograph, handing it to Elaine. "Exactly. Cherish it. It's a bespoke gift, not mass-produced."

"I adore you! Mwah! This autograph is treasured forever!" Elaine gushed.

Luke, usually quiet, unexpectedly stepped forward with an autograph book, his admiration clear. Lydia choked on her drink. "Luke? Seriously?"

Thomas explained, "Don't let his quietness fool you. He majored in jewelry design in college, then joined the band."

Selina signed Luke's book, eliciting a rare smile. He whispered, "I'll cherish it forever." Selina patted his shoulder, "Keep it up," before leaving.

Lydia facepalmed. Luke's cool facade was shattered.

Selina headed for the restroom when Manuel blocked her path.

"Selina," he said, his gaze intense.

Selina laughed coldly. "Manuel, realizing your idol is me… Selina… must feel like your whole life's a lie, huh?"

"Selina, why? Why didn't you reveal you were Angel when you returned to the Harvey residence?" Manuel's confusion was evident. He couldn't understand her silence.

Selina's laughter was heavy with mockery and self-derision. The Harveys had consistently lowered her expectations of decency. She'd been a fool to believe her sincerity could move them. She’d faced their hypocrisy—their claim of "family is everything" juxtaposed with their cold violence and indifference—yet clung to hope. Manuel's naive question highlighted her past foolishness.

"What… what are you laughing at?" Manuel felt suffocated by her sorrow-laden laughter.

"At my own stupidity. At how I should have seen through you Harveys, but clung to hope, letting you walk all over me. Tell me, Manuel, do I have Harvey blood? Am I the Harvey daughter they searched for twenty-one years? Didn't the hospital DNA test confirm I am Selina, one of the treasured Harvey twins?"

"That's the truth! The Harvey family confirmed it many times, terrified of identifying the wrong heir. The results were conclusive; Selina is undeniably a Harvey," Manuel confirmed.