Chapter 7
Kevin bit his tongue at the Starlight Club. He didn't want to make a scene, and he couldn't figure out who Selina really was. The club had its rules: mutual interest was fine, but if someone was rejected and still harassed the other person, they'd simply have to endure the embarrassment. The bar crowd couldn't help but snicker at Kevin's misfortune.
"You got rejected, Kevin? Bad luck," someone teased.
"Ha! She tossed her drink at him, man! That girl's got guts," another said.
"Selina? What are you doing here?" a shocked voice interrupted.
Selina wanted to disappear. She'd only come to see Lydia's live set. Now this? she thought.
Ashley was the one causing the commotion. Dressed in a new red Hermes dress, teetering on stilettos, Chanel bag in hand, and with perfectly styled hair, she would have stolen the show if not for the heavy makeup that made her look like a YouTube tutorial gone wrong.
Ashley was stunned to see Selina. "A girl like Selina, without a penny to her name—how did she get in? Did she sneak in with a sugar daddy?" she wondered. But Ashley couldn't hide her envy. Even in the dim light, Selina glowed, effortlessly outshining her. Ashley had always considered herself superior, but the tables had turned. Selina, still in her inexpensive clothes from her time with the Harveys, now possessed a cool, alluring grace that was captivating. Ashley couldn't help but wonder, "What's her secret? Some magic face cream?"
Kevin did a double take. "Selina, you're Ashley's little country sister?" But this was no timid mouse; this was a rose, thorns and all.
Selina ignored their drama. She walked away, giving them no further attention.
"Selina!" Ashley started after her but was pulled back.
"What's wrong, Ashley?" a smooth voice asked. Timothy Clark, Mr. Moneybags himself, stood tall in an expensive Armani suit.
"Timothy, it's… it's Selina. I saw her here. It's my fault she's not with the Harvey family anymore…" Spotting Timothy, Ashley began to cry, dramatically leaning into his comforting arms.
"Selina?" Timothy showed barely a flicker of concern, remembering the old, forgettable Selina. He tightened his grip on Ashley. "Don't cry, Ashley. You're the real deal, sweet and innocent. Selina's mess isn't your fault. Don't cry, okay? You're breaking my heart."
"But weren't you engaged to Selina once?" Ashley asked.
"Don't worry about it, Ashley. You know I only have eyes for you."
"Selina cut ties with the Harvey family?" Kevin's mind raced, and he quietly followed Selina.
Ashley, nestled in Timothy's embrace, couldn't help a sly, cold smile as she saw Kevin trailing after Selina.
Selina splashed cold water on her face in the restroom and checked her phone—7:50 PM. Showtime was in ten minutes. A new message from Trevon chimed in: “[You're moving in with me starting tomorrow for the con].” Selina tightened her lips, quickly replying: “[Okay, but first meet me at the local government service center tomorrow, & PM. You might just be useful.]” She then switched off her phone.
Selina was going back with Lydia after the show. She was all about living her best life—no room for Harvey family drama tonight.
As if on cue, Kevin, the man she'd showered with wine earlier, barged into the ladies' room, flipping the "Cleaning in Progress" sign.
"Seriously, I thought you were something, walking around with all that attitude. But you're just a rejected girl from the Harvey family, aren't you? Unloved and cut off. You used the Harvey family name to get into the Starlight Club, I bet. And you dare to act superior to me? A princess with no one backing her. You should feel honored I'm even talking to you, I'm a Clark, after all. Stick with me, and you'll have it all," Kevin said, leering at Selina. His eyes narrowed as he rubbed his hands together, surprised that Selina was even more gorgeous than her younger sister.
Kevin knew the club had no security cameras in the bathrooms. Given the Starlight Club's excellent soundproofing, he saw this as the perfect opportunity to force Selina to submit. Once he had her, he was sure she'd see him as her ticket to a lavish life. To his surprise, Selina stepped forward.
"Quitting already? What happened to your spunk? I thought you'd be more of a challenge…" Kevin said, revealing a yellow grin and smoke-stained teeth.
Wham! Selina's boot connected with Kevin's groin. He crumpled, wheezing and gasping like a beached fish, curled up in pain.
"You were asking for it," Selina snapped, delivering another swift kick to his stomach.
Kevin gagged, spitting up his drink, pain wracking his body. He uttered through gritted teeth, "How dare you do this to a Clark!"
Selina's foot slammed down again, this time on his face. After ensuring he'd remember this lesson, she walked out of the bathroom, perfectly composed.
Then she stopped. Standing there was a man with a gaze as sharp as steel, radiating an almost holy light in the dimness. His profile, illuminated by the faint light, was breathtaking. "Trevon," she breathed.