Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Like a Kind Little Hedgehog
Ryan was furious when he heard Luke brazenly call the old master’s name. “How dare you! Do you think you can just say my grandfather’s name so casually?!”

“Aren’t names meant to be called?” Luke scratched his head. “Or does everyone in the Carter Family have untouchable names? What kind of logic is that?”

Ryan was livid. “You—”

“Enough, Ryan.” Old Mr. Carter didn’t seem the least bit upset. “Let me introduce you. This is Logan’s younger brother, Luke Reid.”

Selina clearly saw Ryan choke on his own breath, almost suffocating from shock.

Old Mr. Carter, his expression unreadable, gave a pleasant smile. “Selina, have a seat. Guests are always welcome. The reason we didn’t send you an invitation was—”

“Because Ryan owes me. Because the Carter Family knows they’re in the wrong. How could they possibly have the audacity to invite me to an engagement party for him and his mistress?”

Selina cut in mercilessly, making it clear that she had no intention of playing along. She could see right through Old Mr. Carter—he wanted to keep her close while also ensuring Natalia secured her position.

So, on one hand, he played the emotional card with her, and on the other, he promised Ryan’s marriage to Natalia.

Old Mr. Carter hadn’t expected Selina to be so blunt, and his expression stiffened.

Ryan was seething. “Selina, is this how you speak to your elders?!”

“Oh, I get it!”

Suddenly, Luke spoke up, jumping to his feet and making sure everyone in the room heard him loud and clear.

“This whole event is for a scumbag and his mistress! Wow, I’m so moved—what a touching love story!”

Luke even started clapping enthusiastically. “Why are you all just standing there? Aren’t you moved too?”

Selina responded lazily, “Very moved.”

“Selina!” Ryan, unable to vent his frustration on Luke, turned to her instead, treating her like an easy target. “I’ve told you many times—stop clinging to me! I love Natalia. She fits my mother’s standards far better than you ever could. You—”

“She fits your mother’s standards?”

Luke looked genuinely shocked. “Why does she need to fit your mom’s standards? Are you looking for a wife or a new parent?”

The room erupted in barely suppressed laughter.

Exactly! Ryan abandoned his fiancée because his mistress was more to his mother’s liking. So, was Natalia marrying Ryan, or was she marrying his mother?

Luke sighed dramatically. “This is the first time I’ve met someone who’s an even bigger mama’s boy than me! Selina, your taste was garbage back then. Want me to recommend an eye doctor?”

Ryan’s face turned red with fury.

Selina remained unbothered. “Thanks for the suggestion, Luke, but I don’t need it. Maybe recommend it to my dear sister instead.”

Luke smirked. “Natalia being into Ryan isn’t an eyesight issue—it’s just that birds of a feather flock together.”

Selina chuckled. “You’re absolutely right.”

The crowd: “…”

Brutal. Just absolutely brutal.

Ryan’s fingers trembled with rage, veins popping at his temple. “You, you, you—”

Luke stepped back, uninterested. “Straighten your tongue before you speak to me.”

Old Mr. Carter shot Ryan a warning glare. Even though he was boiling with anger, Ryan had no choice but to swallow it down.

For a moment, the whole venue was eerily silent.

Luke looked around, confused. “Why is everyone quiet all of a sudden? Keep going! Don’t let me stop the fun! This is a celebration—don’t be shy! Carter here doesn’t mind, so why should you all?”

“Come on!” He raised his glass with a dramatic flourish. “Let’s all raise our glasses and toast to the world’s number one scumbag, Mr. Ryan Carter, and his proud homewrecker fiancée, Natalia! Cheers to their happily ever after!”

The guests exchanged uneasy glances but, unable to ignore Luke’s status, hesitantly clapped along.

Selina: “…”

Ryan’s face was grim, looking as if he were about to faint. Old Mr. Carter frowned and said, “Young Master Reid, that’s enough.”

Luke let out a casual “Oh,” then waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, fine, stop clapping. Everyone can just send their best wishes in their hearts.”

Selina: “…” She had a feeling Ryan looked even angrier now.

Old Mr. Carter’s expression turned cold. With a huff, he could no longer keep up the pretense and stormed off, dragging Ryan along.

Luke sneered. “And they thought they could go up against me? Selina, seriously, how useless are you? Letting a bunch of trash like them walk all over you? What would you do without me?”

Selina was quiet for a moment before suddenly smiling. “Mm, thank you, Young Master Reid.”

Luke’s face turned visibly red, and he started stammering. “Th-Thank me for what?! Y-You might be a vixen, but since you’re married to Logan, I—I can’t just stand by and let outsiders bully you!”

Selina blinked.

At first, Luke had sided with Bella, making her think he was just another brainless rich heir.

But now, it seemed like he was more of a sharp-tongued little hedgehog with a good heart.

Just then, her phone vibrated. Instead of calling Luke out on his flustered reaction, she got up and said, “I’m going to take a call. I’ll be back in a bit.”

She stepped into a quieter corner. “Logan?”

“Mrs. Reid is at AS Grand Hotel?” Logan’s voice was calm.

Selina raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

“The Carter Family is hosting an event there tonight. Luke attended, and since you ran into him, it means you’re there as well.”

Logan’s voice was gentle, unhurried, yet Selina somehow detected a subtle hint of coldness beneath it. “I heard the Carter Family gave you trouble. Do you want me to come and handle it for you?”

Selina coughed. “…”

The Carter Family gave her trouble? Luke was the one tormenting them the entire time!

“No need, no need. Actually, Logan, I wanted to ask you something.”

She suddenly thought about the note she found earlier. She wanted to ask about the rose and the tenth-floor window, but the words hesitated on her tongue.

Logan had hidden the note so carefully—it was obvious he didn’t want anyone to find it. If she asked outright, would it seem like she was prying into his private affairs?

“Mrs. Reid? What is it?” Logan prompted.

Selina shook her head. “Tomorrow, I’d like to visit Reid Group. Would that be okay?”

Logan chuckled. “Selina, you’re now the lady of Reid Group. You can visit anytime you like.”

After hanging up, she thought about it for a while. The “tenth floor” mentioned in the note must have been a significant location. The only place that held such importance to Logan was Reid Group.

She pressed her lips together. Why was she so fixated on this?

“Big sister, so you’re here.”

A sickly sweet, fake voice interrupted her thoughts.

Natalia walked over, dropping the pretense now that no one else was around. A cold smile curled on her lips. “Luke helped you get into AS Grand Hotel today. Hah, as expected, he only did it because you’re married to Logan. But do you really think your marriage with Mr. Reid will last?!”

Selina arched a brow, already annoyed.

Seriously? This woman again?

“If you and Katie have nothing better to do, I’d suggest getting your heads checked at a hospital. My husband and I are doing just fine, thank you very much. Unlike Ryan, Logan isn’t the type to entertain mistresses.”

“You—!” Natalia was fuming. Selina’s words had hit her where it hurt the most.

Old Mr. Carter wasn’t satisfied with her. While he held a banquet to make her look good, he was also introducing Ryan to other elite socialites.

Natalia gritted her teeth. “Selina, don’t tell me you actually think Mr. Reid is in love with you? Do you even know why he married you?!”

Selina turned around, intrigued.

Natalia smirked arrogantly. “It’s because he thought you were the woman from four years ago. But…”