Chapter 73 He's Only Supporting you Because You're Useful.
As soon as Selena walked into the house, she spotted a woman lounging on the couch, legs crossed, watching TV. The woman, probably around twenty-eight, was Megan Douglas. Meanwhile, Erin was in the kitchen, looking like she was playing the role of a servant.
Megan glanced up from her apple and said, "Selena, the place is a mess; make yourself at home."
Brian and Erin exchanged awkward glances but kept quiet.
Erin pulled Selena over, gave her a once-over, and asked worriedly, "You've lost weight. Is James spoiling Beatrice and ignoring you?"
"Yeah, that's exactly it. Barbara's been gone for years. Men are heartless. James found the prettier Beatrice, so why would he remember Barbara?" Megan chimed in, her tone sharp. She was Selena's sister-in-law, Brian's daughter-in-law.
Megan shot a look towards the kitchen. "The food's not even ready yet. What are you doing?"
Erin let go of Selena's hand. "Selena, you sit down. I just have two more dishes to finish."
Selena frowned.
Megan rolled her eyes. "Am I wrong? All the family property is now Beatrice's. Look, James hasn't come back to mourn Barbara for years. He's only supporting you because you're useful."
Selena lifted her head slightly, trying to keep her anger in check. "Megan, my family's business is none of your concern."
Megan rolled her eyes again. "Well, your family is so rich, running a big company. I heard one car costs millions. Why would you bother with someone like me, a poor person? What we earn in a lifetime isn't even as much as you earn in a day."
Brian pulled Selena aside, signaling her not to argue, almost pleading.
Selena took a deep breath and ignored Megan.
Megan snorted, stomped back to her bedroom in her high heels, slammed the door, and cranked up the music. Even when the neighbors complained, she didn't care and left it to Brian to handle.
Brian sighed and went to apologize to the neighbors.
Selena watched, understanding why Brian and Erin put up with Megan.
She couldn't treat Megan the same way she treated others.
Megan clearly disliked Selena. In fact, Selena hadn't planned to stay here tonight.
After dinner, Selena told Erin she wanted to leave, but Erin quickly pulled her back.
"Selena, your room is all ready. I just changed the sheets. Staying at a hotel costs money and isn't safe. Just stay here," Erin insisted.
Megan sneered, "Selena can easily spend two hundred dollars on a hotel. Why are you worrying about her? You should worry more about us."
Selena's mouth twitched. If it weren't for Brian and Erin, she would have definitely retorted.
Erin's hands were still tightly holding Selena's, feeling both guilty and uneasy.
Selena reassured her with a smile, "Aunt Erin, really, there's no need. I already booked a hotel."
Before she could finish, someone knocked on the door.
Brian hurried to open it and saw it was their neighbor, Han.
Han saw Selena and seemed relieved. "Selena, you're really back. My boss specifically asked me to come over. He wants a painting on the white wall of Harmony Garden where we host important guests. The white wall looks too empty, and he's worried that buying a painting might be too tacky. Selena, you're from Silver Bay University's Art Department. Over the years, only you in Ridgefield have this ability. Would you be willing to do it? We can provide you with a hotel and an extra thousand dollars. How about it?"
Selena breathed a sigh of relief, just in time to use this as an excuse. "Sure, I'll go. What kind of painting do they want?"
Han responded, "Something that blends with the surrounding scenery would be good. Brian told me this afternoon that you were coming, and I accidentally let it slip, which my boss overheard. Recently, many important people have been coming to Ridgefield, and we can't afford to make mistakes. If you're willing to help, that would be great."
Selena looked at Brian and Erin. "Uncle Brian, Aunt Erin, they need someone to paint."
Erin couldn't stop her anymore and, along with Brian, saw her to the door.
Selena carried a small suitcase and got into her car.
The car in front led the way, and she followed.
When they arrived outside Harmony Garden, she immediately saw the luxury cars parked outside, and the license plates seemed vaguely familiar.
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