Reclaiming Her Heart Chapter 435: Punishment

"Her name is Selena, Mom. Dad was adamant about the match, and even if she manages to offend everyone else in the Montague family, she's still secured her place," Catherine relayed.

Abigail read between the lines and scoffed.

"Call her and tell her to drop by tomorrow. I want to see for myself what makes the woman who married Raymond so special!"

Abigail's strained relationship with William meant she only visited home once a year. After the incident with Christopher Montague, she moved out and never returned.

Abigail had a clear favorite, and it was her grandson, Christopher. She cherished him as if he were the apple of her eye.

As for Raymond, she tended to be stricter with him.

The reason it had to be tomorrow was due to a family dinner tonight. It was certainly no occasion for Selena to attend.

However, William and Raymond were still noticeably absent.

It wasn't until the following day, when Selena received a message from the Montague family asking her to come, that she discovered Abigail had returned.

In three years since her marriage to the Montague family, Selena had never met Abigail. William had hinted that the old woman was quite a tough cookie.

Clutching the painting her mentor had given her to present to Abigail, Selena prepared herself for the meeting.

When Selena arrived at Wolfland, the servant rolled his eyes upon opening the door to her—a familiar yet dismissive welcome. Catherine had a habit of chastising Selena, and over time, the staff had learned to take their cues from her reactions.

Unperturbed, Selena followed the servant into the grand hall where she immediately spotted the elegant but stern-looking elderly woman.

"Mrs. Montague," she greeted with respectful meekness, not daring to call her 'Grandma' as their eyes met. She felt instantly that she wasn't favored.

Abigail scrutinized her, judging her worth as though assessing merchandise. "You seem passable," her look suggested.

"What's that you're holding?" Abigail asked languidly, sipping her tea with an air of superiority. It was as if sparing a few words with Selena was a generous indulgence.

Selena unfurled the painting.

"It's a piece by Mr. Butler. I knew of your fondness for his work and brought it as a gift," she offered, hoping to curry favor and avoid future complications.

At the mention of Mr. Butler, Abigail's brow quirked in interest. But as the painting was revealed, a cold smirk crossed her face.

No need to declare it—a fake, indisputably. Olivia had already presented her with the genuine article.

"Selena, right?" Abigail probed.

Selena nodded. "Is there something you need from me, Mrs. Montague?"

In the next second, Abigail slammed her teacup onto the table. "Do you think my sight is so dim? Or that I can't distinguish real from counterfeit?"

Selena frowned, shocked as Abigail flung the painting to the floor.

Abigail added, "Leave at once!"

Selena remained silent, aware that being summoned today meant she was likely being set up to be taken down a peg or two.

She had been aware that Abigail was difficult, but she hadn't anticipated just how difficult.

Bending down, she carefully rolled up the painting.

Without a word, she turned and walked out to the courtyard, where she stood under the blazing sun.

Abigail's gaze trailed after Selena's upright figure, and she felt a surge of irritation.

"So what if she's had a few years of education?" She scoffed.

Just then, Catherine descended the stairs and caught sight of Selena standing as if in punishment, a smirk crossing her face.

"Mom, what happened?"

Abigail huffed. "This girl is eager to ingratiate herself, attempting to deceive with a counterfeit from Mr. Butler. With that sort of character, she doesn't deserve Raymond."