Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Unconditional Trust
Is this the Mercy Petal Lamp Angelica brought? But… how could it be identical to the one Mom left me?

The color, the shape, the size—everything was exactly the same.

Mom clearly wrote in her journal that this lamp was one of a kind. So how could Morris Family have another?

Unless… Angelica’s lamp is a fake.

Selina kept a neutral expression and stepped forward.

Angelica, meanwhile, was smug. Selina must be jealous, right? Of course she was. Originally, Selina should’ve been the one basking in all this attention. Too bad for her—she wasn’t clever enough. Angelica had taken everything: the name, the family, the spotlight.

Angelica gave a discreet look to someone in the crowd. That person quickly caught on and spoke up.

“Miss Angelica’s Mercy Petal Lamp is breathtaking. What do you think, Miss Selina?”

Instantly, all eyes turned to Selina.

Someone laughed, “Come on, that’s a mean question. Selina’s known for being clueless—what could she possibly see in it?”

“Yeah, Selina, what treasure did you bring today? Let us have a laugh.”

“I mean, we’re not expecting anything as dazzling as Angelica’s. Just don’t embarrass yourself, ha!”

The sneers came from all directions, and after the crowd had their fun, Angelica finally stepped in with mock concern.

“All right, guys, enough. I mean, Selina and I were sisters for, what, nearly two decades? Don’t make it hard on her.”

She turned back to Selina, tone sugary sweet, but her eyes smug and cruel.

“Selina, what do you think of this Mercy Petal Lamp? I bet it’s the first time you’ve seen one up close. Take a good look—it might be your last chance.”

The crowd waited, ready to enjoy Selina’s humiliation.

But after a beat, Selina slowly looked up and smiled. “Not much to look at.”

Angelica nearly burst out laughing. What an idiot. She probably had no idea what the lamp was worth. Saying something so ignorant? She was making a fool of herself.

The crowd erupted with laughter.

“Oh my god, did she just say the Mercy Petal Lamp is nothing special?”

“Why is a bumpkin like her even at an antique showcase? For the free wine?”

“She’s just clinging to Mr. Reid! Ever since she went public, she tags along to every event like she’s afraid no one knows she’s his wife. Pathetic!”

“Angelica, maybe explain to her how rare and valuable this lamp really is!”

Kyle rolled his eyes. Even Joe shook his head slightly.

Was this really Angelica’s so-called sister? How classless.

Angelica sighed dramatically, as if disappointed.

“Selina, this is an antique showcase. If you don’t know anything, you’re only going to make yourself a joke. Let’s just let this go, okay? Stick to events more… suited to you.”

“I said it’s nothing to look at—”

Selina suddenly cut her off, her gaze sharp and cutting, as if she could see through everyone.

“Because this Mercy Petal Lamp… is a fake.”

Selina smiled lightly. “What’s the point of an antique showcase if we’re here admiring forgeries?”

…

Silence.

Absolute, stunned silence.

People were frozen. Did Selina really just say… the Mercy Petal Lamp was fake?

How dare she?

Did she even know whose collection that was? City H’s top-tier Morris Family? As if they would collect a forgery?

Angelica’s face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly put on a look of hurt.

“Selina! I get that you don’t like me, but don’t talk nonsense. My father gave me this antique—how could it be fake? Are you saying the Morris Family has no taste?”

Kyle looked like he was about to explode. “Some people can’t bring anything worth showing off, so they insult ours instead. Pathetic. Really shows your character.”

Angelica shook her head, eyes brimming with tears. “Selina, if you were only insulting me today, I’d forgive you. But this antique represents the honor of the Morris Family. You owe us an apology. Logan, don’t you agree?”

Everyone turned their heads—Logan had just stepped forward.

He lowered his eyes and exchanged a glance with Selina.

Selina immediately understood what he meant. She nodded firmly and whispered near his ear, “I’m certain—it’s a fake.”

Logan then calmly looked up. “I trust my wife’s judgment.”

Jack stepped forward and said respectfully, “Chairman Morris, how about we have it authenticated?”

It was a reasonable request. In antique circles, if someone doubted an item’s authenticity, a professional appraisal was standard. No one in the crowd objected.

But Joe simply chuckled. “No need for that. Mr. Reid, perhaps you don’t know—the Mercy Petal Lamp was purchased over twenty years ago by my late wife. It came with a certificate. Kyle, bring the certificate.”

Joe’s wife? The mysterious Mrs. Morris.

So this Mercy Petal Lamp was bought by her, and it had official documentation…

The crowd immediately turned judgmental.

“What’s Selina trying to pull? Mrs. Morris bought it through proper channels and has both the receipt and the authentication certificate. It’s obviously genuine.”

“Mr. Reid’s still backing her? Ugh… can someone stop her from dragging him down with her?”

Angelica put on a helpless expression. “Selina, you heard him. It’s genuine. Just apologize already.”

But Selina was unfazed. Her voice cool and steady, she said, “I said—it’s a fake.”

“You—!” Kyle was seething. “Still being arrogant at a time like this? You must really be some kind of antique expert, huh? Just one glance and you know our Morris Family piece is fake? Amazing!”

Snide voices from the crowd chimed in.

“Yeah, unless Selina is secretly some world-renowned appraiser, I’m not buying it. Who the hell eyeballs an antique and calls it fake like it’s nothing?”

Joe’s patience was wearing thin. He was about to ask Selina to leave before she completely ruined Angelica’s big debut as the Morris heiress.

But just then—

“I don’t know much about antiques,” Selina said bluntly.

The crowd burst into laughter.

“Ha! And here you were, running your mouth and stirring up chaos. I swear—”

Before the mocking could even finish, Selina calmly added, “But the real Mercy Petal Lamp is in my possession.”

Her words dropped like a bomb.

Gasps echoed around the room.

Everyone stared at Selina, stunned that she’d actually say something that outrageous.

Calling the Morris Family’s piece a fake was one thing—but claiming she had the real one?

Unbelievable. Did she think being Mrs. Reid meant she could say anything and insult anyone?

Even Joe, usually mild-mannered, looked like he might laugh from disbelief.

Kyle scoffed. “Mr. Reid, this is the woman you’re defending? She’s lying through her teeth and making a complete fool of herself. You still believe her?”

Logan’s face didn’t change. His gaze was calm as still water, but his voice was resolute.

“I said—I believe Mrs. Reid. Unconditionally.”