Chapter 111: Visiting the Avelino’s Household

On this day, Selen had no choice but to face the reality of what she had left behind at the Avelino estate.

Before she could fully focus on the children’s upcoming school transition or the mystery surrounding the Vanguard email, she realized she absolutely needed some of her most important personal belongings.

Several of her foundational art research logs, legal files, and deep sentimental jewelry from her mother were still stored inside the Avelino manor right here in Kent.

It was the very place where her life had fractured seven years ago, a time when she had been rated like a servant under their roof before finally escaping them.

Against all odds, and despite the absolute psychological dread of returning to that nightmare, she knew she had to go. She could not comfortably build her new sanctuary in Kent while her past practically held her properties hostage just a few miles away.

She arranged to head over to the estate quickly while Clancy was not back to Kent yet. She needed to retrieve her items quietly, without causing any form of scandal.

Seven years had passed, and the current security guards at the heavy gates that led to the Avelino home did not recognize her face or remember her history at the manor.

They stopped her immediately, demanding official identification and logging her arrival into the internal system.

The moment the security desk flagged her name, the guards immediately called up to the main house to inform Rose and Jimmy Avelino about exactly who was sitting at their estate gates. The name echoed through the communication lines, a sharp reminder that the woman who had once been treated with total disdain was returning under a completely different title.

Inside the mansion, Rose panicked the moment she heard Selen’s name over the security line. She immediately instructed the guards to let her in without delay, her heart was racing as she turned to her husband in absolute shock.

The terrifying memory of how they had treated Selen before she vanished seven years ago, combined with Clancy’s warnings, made Rose’s hands shake.

She knew that Selen was now a powerful ambassador and that Clancy would be completely cut off from the family if any further friction occurred.

Her mind raced with the sudden, overwhelming realization of her past errors, and she found herself completely unable to maintain her usual composure.

As Selen stepped onto the large entrance of the house, she braced herself for anything.

Instead, the heavy doors swung open to reveal Rose Avelino running out toward her, her face pale and tears streaming down her cheeks.

It turned out to be a moment of plea as Rose went on her knees to apologise to her right there on the stone steps. The sight was completely unexpected by Selen. It was a stark contrast to what had happened to her in that same home years before.

"Selen, please, you have to forgive us", Rose sobbed, clutching at the hem of Selen’s coat as she knelt on the hard ground, her voice trembling with absolute panic and remorse.

"We were so wrong about you. We did not know the truth about the triplets, we did not know anything. I am so sorry for what we did to you under this roof seven years ago. We acted out of ignorance and stupidity, and I am begging for your mercy" she pleaded.

Selen stood frozen, looking down at the older woman who had once violently kicked her and treated her like a stinking, dripping bitch from the Williams family.

Seeing this fiercely proud woman completely broken and begging on her knees sent a strange shock through Selen’s veins, but she did not extend a hand to help her up. Her expression remained completely neutral, her heart hardened by the years of survival.

The dramatic display of regret did not soften her stance, it only confirmed how much their vices had shifted since she left.

"Stand up, Rose", Selen said, her voice dropping into a calm, ice cold tone. "I am not here to talk about the past, and I am certainly not here to negotiate your family’s guilt. I am here strictly to collect my property and leave. Your apologies change nothing about the timeline, and they certainly do not alter the facts of what my children and I had to endure" she said.

Selen did not sound extremely cold or heartless, she sounded the same way she did when she told Clancy about how she felt about their apology letters- indifferent.

Rose slowly rose to her feet, wiping her eyes hastily as she nodded in desperation. "Yes, of course. Anything you want. Whatever you need is yours, Selen. We will not stand in your way ever again. The entire house is open to you, and no one will question your presence" she said as she moved out of the way for Selen.

Selen bypassed her entirely, walking into the hallway with a cold, focused determination. She marched straight toward the old storage wing where she had left her items, the same room in the servant quarters.

But as she opened the heavy door, a sharp wave of confusion hit her. The room was completely bare. Her heart dropped as she stared at the empty shelves. Her specialized boxes and deep research files were completely missing.

Frantic, she turned around and intercepted a household staff member she saw in the hallway. "Where are my belongings?" Selen demanded. The woman looked at her in confusion and Selen had to explain properly, "the boxes from this unit. Who removed them? Where are they now?" she asked.

The housemaid looked down uncomfortably, avoiding her piercing gaze. "Mr. Clancy had them moved, ma’am. A few years ago, he gave strict orders to relocate everything directly to his personal quarters. We had no choice but to follow his directive" she said.

Selen did not hesitate. She turned on her heel and marched straight up the grand staircase toward Clancy’s private wing. She still remembered some parts of the house very well, Clancy’s room included.