Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 199

Chapter 199: Flattery That Kills
The commotion grew louder as Damien approached. As an award-winning actor with a global fan base, the excitement in the room was palpable.

“Damien is here!”

“It’s really him! He’s already at the entrance!”

“Oh my God, it’s not just a rumor—Damien actually came to the Clark Group’s banquet for Angelica!”

“I’m so jealous…”

Katie was ecstatic. “James, Damien is a major figure. We can’t afford to be negligent—let’s go welcome him!”

James adjusted his suit and nodded. “Angelica, come with me.”

Just like that, the plagiarism scandal was brushed aside as if it never happened.

Angelica was once again the center of attention. Surrounded by admiring glances, she followed James toward the entrance, walking like a victor basking in her triumph.

Katie, seizing the moment, turned to Selina and mocked her with a condescending smile:

“See that? Not only did the plagiarism scandal fail to bring Angelica down, but it actually made people pity her even more. Selina, you can’t win against me!”

Selina casually ran a hand through her hair. “I hope Mrs. Bryant can stay this confident.”

Katie frowned slightly, sensing an underlying meaning in Selina’s words.

But with Damien here, what could Selina possibly do? No matter how arrogant she was, there was no way she could turn the tide now.

“I know you’re jealous of Angelica, but there’s nothing you can do about it. She’s just naturally loved by everyone.” Katie sighed in fake sympathy before smirking. “Oh well, your mother’s company will belong to us soon. Don’t go doing anything foolish now.”

She covered her lips with a smug laugh, practically glowing with satisfaction.

“Your mother, Victoria, was such a kind woman. Not only did she conveniently die young, leaving me to take her place, but she also left behind all this wealth for my daughter and me to enjoy. Tsk tsk… I wonder if she’s rolling in her grave right now?”

“But what can she do? You’re just useless, Selina. But don’t worry—once I take over Clark Group, I’ll be sure to find you a ‘proper’ place.”

At that moment, Selina locked eyes with Damien from across the room. Her lips curled into a smirk.

“Mrs. Bryant, do you know why, despite all the rumors, Damien never once acknowledged Angelica’s claims?”

Damien had never said he came back for Angelica. The entire narrative had been fabricated by Angelica’s team.

But why hadn’t Damien ever clarified the truth?

Because…

“The higher you climb, the harder you fall,” Selina said slowly. “Mrs. Bryant, I look forward to watching it happen.”

…

Meanwhile, Damien’s arrival sent the entire banquet into a frenzy.

As an internationally acclaimed actor, he had always been a figure of admiration. But now, with the rumors of his return being tied to a certain actress, the speculation had only intensified.

The moment he appeared, livestream viewership across multiple platforms skyrocketed, overwhelming the servers.

[Damien is here!]

[Finally! We’ve been waiting all night for this. Thank you, Angelica!]

[Yes, big thanks to Angelica! If not for her, we wouldn’t have had the chance to see Damien. Ever since he took over his family’s business, he’s barely been active in the entertainment industry. What a rare occasion!]

[If Damien acknowledges Angelica, then she must be truly exceptional. New fan here!]

Damien’s presence single-handedly reversed Angelica’s public image.

After all, Damien had always maintained a spotless reputation. The people he associated with were all top-tier professionals known for their integrity.

If Angelica was his friend, wouldn’t that mean she was equally outstanding?

In an instant, all the accusations of plagiarism and criticisms about her being an unworthy stepdaughter vanished, replaced by praise and admiration.

James eagerly stepped forward, full of respect. “Mr. Brown! What an honor—welcome! We didn’t expect you to grace our humble event. Please, come inside!”

Damien responded with a polite, refined smile. “Mr. Clark.”

Seeing that Damien’s attitude was pleasant, James grew even more eager. “Mr. Brown, this is my daughter. You two have met before, I believe. Angelica, come say hello.”

Angelica smiled gracefully, exuding confidence. “Mr. Brown, I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon.”

Damien’s gaze met Selina’s from across the room, and after a brief flicker, he said, “Miss Clark, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Clark, I’m here to discuss the collaboration. Shall we head inside to talk?”

James was delighted. “Yes, yes! Mr. Brown, please come in!”

When the crowd saw Angelica leading Damien into the room, their envy was palpable.

Angelica was ecstatic!

Damien really came… this was fantastic! She had secured the Brown Family collaboration for Clark Group, and now becoming the heir seemed set in stone.

No matter how much Selina envied or envied her, all she could do was watch from the sidelines.

At this moment, the spotlight was on her!

James’s excitement was evident as he spoke. “Mr. Brown, the collaboration you mentioned…”

Damien’s expression remained unchanged. “I heard that Mr. Clark is announcing the heir today. I’m not the main focus here, so please, handle Clark Group’s business first. We can discuss the collaboration later.”

This meant the collaboration was contingent upon Angelica being named the heir!

James nodded quickly, thinking he understood Damien’s words. “Of course, today is Clark Group’s 20th-anniversary gala, and it’s also the day I announce the next heir!”

Selina smirked.

Katie sneered, “Back off, country bumpkin. Didn’t you hear? Angelica’s about to become the heir! Don’t block Mr. Brown’s view, you’re not needed here!”

Grandpa Clark and James wore expressions of approval.

James grabbed the microphone. “I’m proud to have such an exceptional daughter. She’s worked hard since she was young, studied abroad, and even though she has millions of fans, she remains humble…”

James, eager to please Damien, grew more passionate in his praise for Angelica.

“Even though she’s not my biological daughter, she’s more than qualified! I announce that Angelica will be the next heir to Clark Group! Angelica, come here!”

Angelica feigned elegance as she took the microphone, covering her lips with fake tears. “I’m so touched. I’m honored that Uncle Clark chose me. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll make Clark Group even better. I have some exciting news to share…”

“Just now, Mr. Brown agreed to work with me. I believe that under my leadership, Clark Group will—”

“Wait.”

A male voice interrupted Angelica’s speech.

Everyone instinctively looked toward Damien.

Damien furrowed his brows, a look of confusion on his face. “What did you just say?”

Angelica assumed he hadn’t heard her clearly. “Mr. Brown, Uncle Clark has chosen me to be the heir. Rest assured, our collaboration will go smoothly…”

“The heir?”

Damien suddenly stood up. “Mr. Clark! You want Angelica to inherit Clark Group and then collaborate with me?!”

The room went silent in an instant. Everyone exchanged confused glances, unable to understand why Damien suddenly raised such an objection.

James hurried forward to explain, “Yes, Mr. Brown, you don’t have to worry. No one will take Angelica’s position. You and Angelica will—”

Damien cut him off mercilessly. “What a joke! When did I say I wanted to collaborate with Angelica?”

What?

Everyone’s eyes widened!

Damien… didn’t want to collaborate with Angelica?!

James panicked. “But Mr. Brown, didn’t you just say you came for the collaboration? You asked me to announce the heir first so you could work with the new heir… isn’t that Angelica?”

Yes, isn’t that Angelica?

Why else would Damien be there? Why would he give Angelica so much face? Why would he want to wait for the heir to be announced before collaborating?

Angelica suddenly had a chilling realization.

She froze, shivering.

If Damien wasn’t there for her, then… could it be…

No, that can’t be!

She was about to stop him, but it was already too late—