Chapter 4 The Special Guest

• Shelina Stapleton's POV:
• I'm Shelina, and today is my birthday.
• To celebrate, my parents have thrown a lavish party, inviting numerous celebrities and politicians to our home.
• For this event, I insisted that Dad order me a custom LV Spring Limited Edition Starlight Gown. There are only three of these gowns in the world, and I'm the only girl in all of Atlantis who owns one.
• I moved gracefully through the crowd like a butterfly, making sure to show off my exclusive dress while soaking in the admiration and compliments.
• I love the looks of envy and jealousy in the other girls' eyes, knowing that in the end, there's nothing they can do about it. I came from a wealthy family, and not only did we have money, but my daddy spoiled me rotten.
• All I had to do was pout a little, and the next day, this limited-edition gown was hanging in my closet.
• "Shelina, your dress is gorgeous! It's like a galaxy!"
• "This is the LV Spring Limited Edition, right? I couldn't even borrow one, and you got it! Your dad must adore you."
• "Happy birthday, Lina! I heard you landed a role in Mr. Still's film. You're going to be the most popular actress this year! Don't forget about us when you're famous!"
• "Famous? Lina's just doing it for fun. With her status, becoming a star would be easy."
• I relished every word of praise, tilting my chin up proudly as I responded, "Thank you all! I'm just going to check on the cake."
• I walked back to the villa with a spring in my step, nearly bumping into my mother as she was coming out.
• "Oh my God! Mommy, you almost ran into the star of the party!" I exclaimed, but today wasn't just about my birthday. There was something far more important on my mind.
• Lowering my voice, I pulled my mother aside and whispered, "Haven't Tim's men come back yet? Today is my 20th birthday, and I don't want anyone to find out that Dad has another daughter! I have to be the only one he acknowledges!"
• Just thinking about someone trying to steal my father's love made me furious. Ever since I was a child, it's always been just me. My parents showered all their love on me and always made sure I had everything I ever wanted.
• But my mother didn't seem worried at all. She carefully adjusted the hem of my gown and said calmly, "No news is good news. Don't worry, she won't make it back. Even if she does, what can she do? She was sold to a traveling circus as a child. She's nothing but a clown. She'll never take your place as the eldest daughter of the Stapletons, and your father will never love her the way he loves you."
• Hearing that, I felt like my mom was right.
• Wow, a circus clown.
• Mom's words suddenly made everything sound kind of interesting. If by some miracle she did survive and made it here, I'd have quite the show to watch.
• The thought got me a little excited. A mix of emotions stirred in my chest. I was both anxious about her coming back and hoping she'd somehow make it.
• Her return would only highlight the contrast, showcasing my elegance as the true, refined, and beautiful eldest daughter of the Stapletons.
• "Mrs. Stapleton!" A maid rushed in frantically, her expression completely out of line. My mom had always taught them that as a Stapleton servant, they should walk and speak with poise and never lose their composure.
• "What are you panicking for? Walk and speak properly!" My mom scolded. I shot the maid a disapproving look as well. She was way out of line.
• It's my birthday party, and I won't tolerate any slip-ups from the staff. Any mistake could ruin the perfection of my celebration.
• "Do you want to ruin my party? The way you're acting is disgraceful for a Stapleton servant!" I snapped angrily.
• "Apologies, Mrs. Stapleton, Ms. Stapleton. I'll be more careful in the future. But right now, there's something really important I need to report! There's an Anderson's helicopter parked on the lawn."
• "The Andersons?" I thought I must have heard wrong, or maybe this maid's eyesight was failing her, causing her to make a mistake.
• "Are you talking about the famous mafia family from Nearburg?" I recalled how, just a month ago, I had begged my dad to pull every string and use all his connections to get Jerome to come to my birthday party.
• Could it be that Dad managed to invite him but kept it a secret? Was this his way of surprising me?
• The maid nodded firmly and continued, "I swear, it's the Andersons' helicopter from Nearburg!"
• Hearing this, my eyes lit up. "Oh my God! Is Jerome coming to my birthday party? Does this mean he's interested in me?"
• Just as I was getting carried away by excitement, my mother's words dragged me back to reality.
• "Baby, do you not understand the Stapletons' status? Yes, we're one of Nearburg's well-known families, and we have our place in society. But don't forget, the Andersons are the true kings of Nearburg, and Jerome is their heir. We're not important enough to invite Jerome to one of our parties."
• "Maybe Dad's business deal with the Andersons caught Jerome's attention?" I suggested.
• "Let's go take a look," Mom said, linking her arm with mine as we headed outside. I could feel her excitement bubbling just beneath the surface.
• If I could marry Jerome, I would become the queen of Nearburg. Everyone would look at me with admiration, and they'd all have to bow down before me.
• The thought made my steps feel lighter, and I couldn't wait to meet Jerome, the man who would most likely be my future boyfriend.
• Mom and I quickly checked our makeup, arm in arm, smiling as we hurried toward the lawn.
• When we arrived, the helicopter was already surrounded by a group of socialites, all eager for a glimpse of Jerome's handsome face.
• I walked toward them, poised like a proud swan, and immediately the women turned their attention to me and my mother, their eyes filled with envy.
• Once I became the queen of Nearburg, they'd have even more reason to be jealous. I loved seeing those looks of admiration turn into jealousy. It just proved that everything I had was something they could never attain.
• "Lina, how did you manage to get the Andersons to come? You're amazing!"
• "You didn't tell me about this! If I'd known, I would've hired a professional makeup artist!"
• I kept my polite socialite smile, though inside I scoffed. The Andersons were here for me. What did they need makeup for? Were they trying to steal my spotlight? I'm the star of this party, and I won't let anyone take that away from me.
• I was certain Jerome must've been impressed by me at the Andersons' celebration party last month, where he had seen me dancing.
• I was ecstatic. I was going to become the wife of the Andersons' heir, the First Lady of Nearburg, and maybe even all of Atlantis.
• I craned my neck, eagerly waiting for the helicopter door to open, my heart pounding as I anticipated the moment my Mr. Right would step out and join my party. If he proposed me at my birthday celebration, should I act surprised?
• I was lost in thoughts of my beautiful future when the helicopter door slowly opened.
• In my excited gaze, a disheveled girl jumped down from the helicopter. The sight hit me like a slap in the face.
• Was this a joke? A girl? From the Andersons' helicopter? And she was dressed like a homeless person?
• D*rn it! Did the Andersons send a vagrant to my party? What was this supposed to mean? Where was Jerome?