CHAPTER NINE

SELENE’s POV

The Whitmore Foundation Gala was already crowded when my car arrived.

Camera flashes exploded immediately outside the grand entrance while security teams held reporters behind the barricades. Expensive cars lined the driveway endlessly, their polished surfaces reflecting the golden lights surrounding the massive hotel.

My assistant stepped out first before opening the back door for me carefully. All attention was shifted toward me as I stepped out of the black Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner, media cameras flashing nonstop on me.

The sharp evening air brushing lightly against my skin as my heels touched the polished black granite pavement beneath me. The ballroom entrance suddenly became quieter the moment I entered,I lifted my eyes calmly toward the crowd ahead while camera flashes still burst repeatedly around me.

The black gown clung perfectly against my body without looking excessive, the silk fabric was smooth with a fitted corset waist that emphasized my figure before flowing elegantly down to the floor. A slit rested against one side of my leg, revealing brief flashes of my diamond-covered heels whenever I walked.

An expensive diamond necklace rested against my collarbone, expensive enough to buy buildings, yet subtle without trying too hard. My dark hair was styled in soft waves over one shoulder while my makeup remained clean and matte, emphasizing the face the world now associated with Selene Arden.

People stared openly as I walked towards the entrance, whispers spread through the crowd almost immediately.

“That’s Selene Arden.”

“She’s even prettier in person.”

“I heard she owns half the investors in Europe.”

“No wonder the Whitmores invited her personally.”

I ignored all of it naturally, attention no longer mattered to me. I’ve learnt that powerful people survive by becoming comfortable under observation.

The hotel doors opened immediately the moment I approached. Inside, the ballroom glowed beneath Murano glass chandeliers while orchestral music drifted softly through the massive space. Billionaires, politicians, celebrities, old-money families, and every powerful name in the city stood somewhere inside this room tonight. Including the people who once looked down on Serena Vale.

My gaze moved calmly across the ballroom. Victoria Laurent stood near the center speaking with several investors, elegant as always in a dark emerald gown. Time had barely touched her appearance, but her judgemental expression still remained the same. A faint smile almost touched my lips, some people never changed.

Then my eyes found Celeste, still beautiful as ever. Her polished and perfect posture evoke the kind of woman society admired.

She stood beside Adrian, her hand interlocked in his, putting on a broad smile while guests surrounded them in conversation.

The perfect billionaire couple indeed.

I chuckled on the thought of that because four years ago, that image alone would’ve shattered me emotionally. But now, I simply observed them, detached like complete strangers.

A waiter approached quietly offering champagne. I accepted a glass smoothly before continuing farther into the ballroom. Elites began approaching me one after another. Business introductions, compliments, invitations, it all came nonstop, everyone wanted Selene Arden’s attention.

The same society that once humiliated Serena Vale now practically moved aside when I walked. Life really was cruelly ironic.

“Miss Arden.”

I turned calmly toward the familiar voice.

Nathan Whitmore smiled politely as he approached me, older now but still carrying the effortless confidence of generational wealth. Nathan was Celeste’s older cousin and the director of Whitmore Foundation. I had met him a couple of times at elite events I attended with Adrian years ago. I guess Selene knows him too.

“You finally decided to return home.”

Home seems like an interesting choice of word.

“I travel where business takes me,” I replied smoothly.

Nathan laughed softly. “And now business brought you back home?”

“For now.” I replied as I took a sip from the champagne glass.

His eyes studied me carefully for a brief moment. “You’ve become difficult to read.”

That almost made me smile, if only he knew.

Four years ago, after the accident, the surgeons abroad rebuilt my entire face over multiple procedures, Leonard arranged everything personally.

Leonard actually once had a daughter living abroad, her name was Selene. She was a successful businesswoman dominating most of the European market.

Selene had passion for cycling, she does it as an hobby. And one day while cycling, she had a major accident and unfortunately she didn’t survive it but it was kept a secret from the public. Not even the elite circle were aware.

That was two years before my accident. So, when Leonard brought up the opinion of changing and restructuring my face, he pleaded with me to make use of his daughter’s face and be Selene again.

At first, I hated looking into mirrors, the woman staring back at me looked unfamiliar. Perfect jawline, higher cheekbones, different nose and lips. Everything altered carefully enough to create someone new while still appearing natural.

I remember sitting inside the recovery room one night staring silently at my reflection while bandages covered most of my face. And for the first time, I realized Serena Vale truly died on that bridge. Not just physically but emotionally too.

The surgeries took months, the recovery even took longer and a new Selene Arden was created afterward.

So, it was understandable that nobody in the ballroom would ever recognize me.

“You disappeared for a second,” Nathan said softly, pulling me back to the present.

“Sorry, I got carried away for a bit.” I said faintly.

“Dangerous habit in this city.”

Before I could respond, movement across the ballroom suddenly caught my attention.

Adrian.

His gaze locked onto mine from across the room and stayed there while the conversation around him continued, but he wasn’t paying attention anymore.

Neither was I.

His eyes moved across my face carefully like he was trying to understand why a complete stranger felt familiar.

My stomach lurched unexpectedly.

God, I hated that reaction.

Because after everything Adrian did to me, part of me still remembered the man I once loved before ambition hollowed him out completely.

Then Celeste noticed his distraction, she turned toward me too and the smile on her lips stiffened. Not because she recognized me, but women like Celeste instinctively recognized threats.

Nathan leaned slightly closer beside me. “Looks like you’ve already captured the attention of the most powerful man in the room.”

I lifted the champagne glass calmly.

“No,” I replied softly while holding Adrian’s gaze across the ballroom.

“I think he’s the one who just lost his.”