Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Expelled from Clark Group
Selina’s eyes gleamed with mischief. [Sure, but not just yet.]

And when would be the best time for Damien to make his entrance?

Of course—when everyone was basking in their praise for Angelica and James, lost in their sweet little dream.

“Selina, get over here!”

Just as she put her phone away, an angry roar came from behind. James stormed over, his face dark with fury. “What took you so long? The banquet is about to start!”

Selina strolled leisurely. “Mr. Clark wants me to take the fall, yet also demands punctuality? You should be glad I even showed up.”

“You—!” James’ expression stiffened before he snapped, “What fall? You plagiarized! And you have the nerve to push the blame onto someone else?! In a moment, I will announce your expulsion from Clark Group. Just go up there, apologize, and leave.”

Selina smirked meaningfully. “Apologize and leave? Mr. Clark, you’re not even going to let me stay for dinner?”

“You won’t be part of Clark Group anymore—what’s the point of staying?!” James barked impatiently.

Not part of Clark Group anymore?

Selina suddenly chuckled. “Then I do hope, Mr. Clark, that you won’t regret this decision.”

James watched her retreating figure, and for some reason, an uneasy feeling crept up his spine.

As Selina walked toward a quieter corner, she ran straight into Grandpa Clark and Katie.

Katie’s voice turned sharp. “Ignoring me is one thing, but you won’t even greet your grandfather?”

Selina didn’t spare her a glance, brushing past them as if they didn’t exist.

Katie’s face twisted with rage. She turned to Grandpa Clark, whining, “Did you see that? Just look at Selina’s attitude!”

Grandpa Clark’s expression was complicated, but in the end, he let out a sigh. “Sigh, at least she’s ready to admit her mistake. Let’s just let this go.”

Katie scoffed, venom dripping from her words. “Let it go? Why should I? She plagiarized and nearly dragged Clark Group down with her! She’s nothing but a disgrace!”

Soon, the banquet officially began.

Since Angelica was a celebrity, the entire event was live-streamed. The moment the broadcast went live, viewers flooded in.

Angelica stood proudly on stage, smiling as she spoke. “Welcome, everyone, to the Clark Group Annual Gala…”

Selina sat in a quiet corner, watching with amusement.

As expected, the moment Angelica’s speech ended, her eyes flickered subtly, signaling a reporter to ask:

“Miss Angelica, there’s been a huge controversy about plagiarism in recent days. Can you confirm if the allegations are true? And how do you personally view plagiarism?”

At this, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone turned to Angelica, waiting for her response.

She remained perfectly composed, letting out a soft sigh. “It’s true… In the world of design, lack of talent isn’t the scariest thing. The real tragedy is being unwilling to think, blindly copying others. With that mindset, one can never become a true designer.”

“But no matter what, Selina is still my sister. I hope everyone can give her another chance…”

The moment these words fell, both the audience and the live-stream chat exploded with fury.

[Angelica is too kind! She’s still defending that plagiarism rat?! If that thief really saw her as a sister, she wouldn’t have stolen her design!]

[Angelica has always been like this—people only ever take advantage of her kindness! It’s driving me mad!]

[Wasn’t Damien supposed to attend tonight? Where is he?! Angelica needs his help!]

On stage, Angelica continued in a helpless tone. “Everyone, please don’t worry. I’ll make sure to guide my sister properly so she won’t take the wrong path again…”

Before she could finish, James took the microphone, his voice filled with righteous indignation. “Angelica, you’re far too soft-hearted! You may be able to forgive Selina, but I can’t!”

With a solemn expression, he declared, “Clark Group will never tolerate plagiarists! I officially announce that Selina will be expelled from Clark Group and must apologize to Angelica!”

Selina raised an eyebrow, finally understanding the play they were putting on tonight.

Angelica was the nation’s beloved goddess. How could a goddess be aggressive? So she and James played a classic act—one as the good cop, the other as the bad cop.

Angelica feigned surprise. “Uncle Clark, there’s no need to be so harsh. Selina is your biological daughter, after all, and the rightful heir to Clark Group…”

“No, Angelica, it’s my fault for failing to educate my daughter properly. If Selina dares to plagiarize today, she’ll betray the company tomorrow! How could I ever entrust the company to her?”

James put on a show of heartbreak. “Say no more! Selina, get up here!”

Instantly, all eyes and every reporter’s camera locked onto Selina.

She let out a soft chuckle and stepped onto the stage.

James’ tone was threatening. “Selina, don’t forget what you promised me. Plagiarism is your wrongdoing. Apologize to Angelica.”

[You shameless thief, hurry up and apologize!]

[An apology is too easy! Stealing Angelica’s work—she deserves to die!]

[Exactly! Scum like her shouldn’t even be alive. She should just kill herself! Haha, all she does is plagiarize anyway…]

Even the live audience whispered among themselves.

“She still has the nerve to show up?”

“Yeah, stealing her own sister’s design… does she really think Clark Group belongs to her, that she can plagiarize and get away with it?”

“Thank God Mr. Clark has the integrity to expel her. Otherwise, who knows who her next victim would be?”

Angelica listened to the growing chorus of insults, her lips finally curving into a satisfied smile.

Let’s see how Selina talks her way out of this now!

Selina’s gaze slowly swept across the crowd.

Grandpa Clark looked at her with disappointment.

James’ expression was filled with disgust.

Angelica was smug.

Katie was arrogant.

Everyone was waiting to see her downfall, to watch her fall apart in humiliation.

But she wouldn’t let them have their way.

Selina stepped up to the microphone.

“Plagiarists should indeed apologize,” she said.

Then—word by word, her voice crisp and unwavering, echoing through the venue—

“But who said… I was the one who plagiarized?”

A stunned silence fell over the room.

Then, all at once, chaos erupted!

The audience was dumbfounded, unable to believe their ears.

Did Selina just say she didn’t plagiarize?!

James was the first to recover, his face dark as ink. “Selina! What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Katie wiped fake tears from her eyes. “Selina, if you don’t want to apologize, fine—but what do you mean by that? Everyone knows your design is identical to Angelica’s. Are you saying Angelica plagiarized you?”

The audience joined in, scolding her:

“How could Angelica plagiarize? Selina, at least come up with a better excuse!”

“Angelica was defending you just now, and this is how you repay her? Ungrateful snake!”

“That brooch design is exquisite—someone like you, a country bumpkin, could never create something so refined!”

Angelica’s gaze flickered slightly. She sighed with apparent disappointment. “Selina, we’re family. I never intended to hold this against you, but you—”

The crowd glared at Selina, looking as if they wanted to tear her apart.

Amidst the sea of accusations, Selina’s voice rang clear and steady.

“Angelica, you claim I plagiarized because you started working on your design a month ago. The rule is, whoever publishes their work first is the original creator, right?”