CHAPTER 607: SHAMELESS

Hannah sensed something was off, but June, as brainless as ever, blurted out, "That’s right!"

"Oh... I see."

Selina gave a half-smile. "Then remember what you just said. Auntie, let’s head inside."

Mrs. Brown frowned. "They stole our private room and are still this arrogant? Do they really think no one can put them in their place?"

Selina shook her head. "It’s your birthday today, no need for you to get upset. I’ll handle it. It’s partly my fault—I didn’t realize Ava’s so-called apprenticeship banquet was going to be here."

Mrs. Brown was about to say, How could this possibly be your fault? It’s clearly on them.

But then Selina added casually, "Should’ve put up a sign at the door saying No Entry for Hannah and Dogs. My mistake."

Mrs. Brown: "..."

So much for her overthinking.

As they stepped into NF Restaurant’s lobby, a hostess came forward politely. "Which private room is reserved for your party?"

Ava shot June a glance. June immediately rushed ahead and cut Selina off: "We’re in the A Room!"

Her tone dripped with pride.

After all, in her mind, Selina was only worthy of a B Room. How could she ever compare to her daughter?

The hostess checked and nodded. "Miss Hill? Please follow me."

Ava could barely hide her smirk. "Well then, Selina, we’ll be going first."

Just then, another staffer stepped up and asked, "Mrs. Brown? Which private room will you be in?"

Before Mrs. Brown could answer, June butted in again: "She’s in the B Room! Honestly, Mrs. Brown, you’re the dignified wife of the Brown Family, yet you’re celebrating your birthday in the B Room? That’s nothing like us Hill Family—we only give the very best. Even for Ava’s apprenticeship banquet, we made sure she got the top room."

Hannah chuckled softly. "Sister-in-law, don’t say it like that. Perhaps the Browns are just more casual about such things, not like us Hills. We’re a large, powerful family, so naturally we keep stricter standards."

The implication was clear—the Browns aren’t much, and by choosing them over the Hills, Selina wasn’t much either.

Selina’s expression didn’t change. "So the Hill Family only accepts the very top room, never the second best?"

"Of course!" June said proudly.

"Mm." Selina nodded, then turned to the manager. "Open the S Room on the top floor."

The S Room was NF Restaurant’s crown jewel.

It had its own observation deck and even an open-air hot spring.

But why didn’t other patrons ever request the S Room? Because everyone knew it was reserved exclusively for the restaurant’s owner.

Sure, the S Room was technically the true "number one," but since it was never open, the A Room became the highest-ranking space in people’s minds.

June froze for a second, then burst out laughing. "Selina, you’re ridiculous. Who do you think you are? The S Room isn’t something you can just demand—it belongs to the owner!"

But in the very next moment, something happened that left June utterly dumbfounded—

The manager actually nodded. "Yes, Miss Clark. Please, this way."

This time, not only June but even Hannah’s expression shifted.

June refused to accept it and cried out, "Wait, wait! What’s going on here? Selina clearly—"

"Mrs. Bryant."

Selina turned her head with a mocking smile, her tone deliberate. "I already told you—NF Restaurant belongs to my family."

Her eyes gleamed. "Mrs. Bryant, you really don’t understand what I mean, do you?"

The words landed like a slap across June’s face.

This—this... How could it be possible?!

Hannah and Ava screamed inwardly. It was supposed to be their moment, with all the attention on them. But now, Selina turned out to be the true heiress of NF Restaurant? How was this fair?!

Selina gave a soft laugh and turned to Mrs. Brown. "Auntie, shall we go in?"

Mrs. Brown swept a cold glance at Hannah, a half-smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, let’s not let certain people ruin the mood. Oh, by the way, I hear the Hill Family values you quite a lot these days. If the family head finds out that one or two foster daughters dared to bully you, who knows what he might do."

"Don’t you agree, Mrs. Hannah?"

Hannah’s face drained of color, then darkened as she bit down hard on her lip. "Mrs. Brown, you must be joking."

"I’m not joking at all. Your father was the Hill Family’s driver. Ava is the foster daughter of that driver’s son. Tell me, which one of you actually has anything to do with the Hill Family?"

"I have nothing against drivers—but you people have no real ties to the Hills. And yet here you are, throwing around their money and their influence to humiliate and slander the Hill Family’s true heiress. Tell me, who gave you that kind of face?"

The entire room went dead silent.

Everyone’s eyes darted between Hannah and Ava, full of doubt and suspicion.

Mrs. Brown wasn’t wrong... Hannah and Ava had secured the A Room because they were leveraging the Hill Family’s name. But to use that influence, then mock the real Hill heiress as powerless? Were they out of their minds? It was beyond arrogant—it was insulting.

Mrs. Brown didn’t spare them another glance. She simply took Selina’s hand and led her inside.

Hannah’s face turned green, then pale. Ava’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she finally collapsed into June’s arms, sobbing.

"Mom, I don’t know what I did wrong. Why would sister treat me like this..."

"There, Ava, don’t cry. She’s nothing compared to you. You’re here for your apprenticeship ceremony. So what if Selina’s a Hill by blood? You’re still far more accomplished than she’ll ever be!"

Mother and daughter retreated into their private room, while Hannah’s eyes flickered. She turned quickly to Samuel.

"Master Samuel, you saw what just happened. Selina may be the Hill Family’s true daughter, but her temper is... difficult. Still, the Hills do dote on her. She’s expressed an interest in becoming your student—what do you think?"

Samuel’s murky eyes gleamed.

He had agreed to take Ava partly because of the Hill Family’s influence—he wanted their protection.

If he could also take Selina...

Just as he was considering it, Hannah spoke again.

"But you must know, Selina grew up in the countryside. She’s uneducated, never disciplined, and knows nothing about oil painting. If she truly does want to apprentice, she’ll need a lot of patient teaching from you."

Samuel’s face hardened. "We’ll see."

Ignorant of oil painting? Then forget it. He had no interest in such a student.

Hannah, of course, wouldn’t let the chance to humiliate Selina slip by. She smiled slyly. "Then how about this—when the banquet is over, I’ll have Selina come by. You can test her yourself. Let her paint on the spot. If you see any talent in her, then you can decide whether or not to take her."

Samuel agreed.

...

Inside the Brown Family’s private room, Selina finally took her seat.

Mrs. Brown, still fuming, peeked toward the door and muttered with irritation, "I’ve been meaning to ask—where’s Logan? How could he let you be bullied alone like that? What kind of husband leaves his wife to fend for herself?"