Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Shut Out at the Door
Logan gave her a look full of meaning. “I’m not looking to commit bigamy just yet.”

Selina’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she pulled Logan to the side, slipping into a spot just out of James’s line of sight.

Outside, James and Katie were still basking in their imagined glory.

“Mr. Reid is marrying Angelica? How come we’ve never heard of it?” someone asked, clearly surprised.

James waved a hand like it was no big deal. “Logan has a marriage arrangement with the Morris Family. Angelica is the Morris heiress. It’s basically a done deal.”

Selina scoffed quietly. He was already dropping Logan’s name like that? Playing the “father-in-law” card loud and proud.

Katie couldn’t hide her excitement. “Angelica saved Mr. Reid’s life four years ago. It’s fate—no one can deny it!”

Skeptical looks quickly turned into admiration.

“Mr. Clark, you really raised a good daughter! Even after returning to the Morris Family, Angelica still looks out for you. Once she becomes Mrs. Reid, just imagine what that means for Clark Group.”

“So envious!”

“And it speaks volumes about you and Mrs. Clark’s kindness. You didn’t even know Angelica was the Morris heiress when you took her in, but you still raised her with love. That’s good karma paying off.”

Katie was glowing from the praise.

After the plagiarism scandal had left her disgraced, not even Clark Group wanted her around. People had whispered behind her back, calling her a homewrecker trying to shift the blame onto the real heiress.

She hadn’t dared show her face at the mall for weeks.

But now? Now she was the adoptive mother of the Morris heiress, and those same people were bending over backwards to kiss up to her.

She felt vindicated. “James, let’s go inside. Not just anyone gets into Celestial Feast. If it weren’t for Angelica’s connections, we wouldn’t stand a chance!”

James, full of pride, turned to the group. “This restaurant is under Mr. Reid’s name. They only serve a few tables a day—reservations usually need to be made a week in advance. But for us? No need.”

The Clark Group shareholders and partners echoed their praise.

“Angelica’s so thoughtful, even thinking of us old folks.”

“Lead the way, Mr. Clark. I’ve always wanted to see what Mr. Reid’s restaurant is like.”

Selina blinked slowly and gave Jack a subtle look.

Jack coughed lightly and gave a small nod.

Meanwhile, James led the group toward the entrance with the swagger of a man about to show off. But just as he reached the door, two guards stepped in front of him. “Sorry sir, Celestial Feast is closed to the public today.”

James scoffed. “Step aside. You clearly don’t know who I am. You’ll regret this.”

The guard didn’t budge. “Sir, you’re not permitted to enter.”

With all eyes on him, James’s smile slipped. “Do you not hear me? Get your manager. Now.”

“Even if the manager comes,” the guard said flatly, “he won’t let you in.”

“You—!”

James turned red with anger. The embarrassment of being turned away in front of everyone—when he’d just been bragging—was unbearable.

“Do you know who I am? I’m Mr. Reid’s future father-in-law! You’re fired!”

Katie, equally humiliated, started yelling too. “My daughter is Angelica—the future Mrs. Reid! You dare keep us out?”

“Yeah! Angelica has a marriage agreement with Mr. Reid. You’re making a big mistake!”

Still, the guards didn’t move.

James, practically foaming at the mouth, snapped. He lunged forward, grabbing one of the guards by the collar. “I said—move, now! Let me tell you something—!”

“Dad, Mrs. Bryant, you’re an old woman, still throwing tantrums. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Selina finally had enough. She leisurely stepped out from behind the pillar.

She raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with meaning. “Oh… Dad brought a friend? Too bad, today’s Celestial Feast is closed to the public. Logan reserved the whole place.”

Everyone turned to look at her. “Isn’t that Selina?”

“Selina says Mr. Reid is here too? Didn’t Mr. Clark say Mr. Reid was marrying Angelica? Why is he having a meal with Selina?”

“Selina, darling, Mr. Reid doesn’t love you anymore. Why are you still chasing after him?”

Katie quickly shouted, trying to explain in a rush, “What you all don’t know is that Selina and Mr. Reid have an arranged marriage. They’re actually talking about a divorce. Mr. Reid only has feelings for Angelica, he doesn’t like her at all.”

The crowd nodded, understanding now.

Under Katie and James’s intentional spreading of the rumors, everyone at Clark Group thought Selina was a country bumpkin with no skills. What could Mr. Reid possibly see in a woman like her?

James stepped forward, impatiently lowering his voice. “Selina, let us in. Don’t embarrass us!”

Selina blinked innocently. “But, Dad, I already told you, Logan reserved the place. I don’t have authority to make decisions.”

James was fed up with this daughter. “What use are you?! I don’t care if you can make decisions or not, open the door!”

Selina sighed, her voice filled with meaning. “Dad, you already said it—I’m not favored. Since I’m not, I can let anyone in, but Logan won’t allow it. If he gets upset, things will only get harder for me. Aren’t you just setting me up to fail?”

James took it for granted. “What nonsense! Logan disliking you would be even better. Hurry up and divorce him, so Angelica can take your place!”

Hand over the position of Mrs. Reid to Angelica…

Selina crossed her arms, her tone bitter. “Why is Dad so biased?”

“I’m the real daughter, but you want me to divorce and give my place to a stepdaughter. What sense does that make? A real father who doesn’t want his daughter to be happy, but instead prioritizes a stepdaughter with no blood relation…”

Suddenly, Selina’s gaze hardened, and she spoke firmly, “Unless… I’m not your real daughter?”

James froze, a cold shiver running down his spine.

She knows? Does she know the secret?

No, no—if she knows, she has no proof.

Damn it! All thanks to Katie and Natalia—those troublemakers! They were told this couldn’t be made public, but they still provoked Selina!

If she ruins Angelica’s plans, he’ll make them pay.

James was sweating profusely, and suddenly, he raised his hand. “What are you talking about? You are my daughter! I told you to let us in, can’t you understand?!”

A slap was about to land—

Smack!