Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 266

Chapter 266: A Rivalry Begins
Riley forced a strained smile. “Then I’ll take you up on that next time—if Mrs. Reid doesn’t mind the trouble.”

Selina put on an act, looking touched. “Why would I? I’d be thrilled to have you over.”

Then she turned and grabbed Logan’s arm, voice low and teeth clenched. “Let’s go look at rings. I can’t wait to hear Miss Nelson’s thoughts on our wedding bands!”

Logan chuckled under his breath as he followed her out.

Inside the private room, once everyone had left, Riley’s smile dropped. She hurled her wine glass to the floor with a sharp crash.

It took several deep breaths before she calmed down.

No, she had to stay composed. She couldn’t slip up. As long as she played the part of Selina’s “friend,” she could stay close to Logan.

Bella was useless—she’d never win Logan’s heart. But Riley could.

Selina? She was just a scheming little thing. No real skill. Riley could crush her with her eyes closed.

…

Back at Sapphire Valley Villa, Selina was about to head upstairs when Logan caught her wrist.

She turned, glaring. “What?”

Logan smiled, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Mrs. Reid wants to pick out wedding rings?”

Selina arched a brow, tone dripping with sarcasm. “Rings? How could I dare? With all the women dying to steal Mr. Reid, I’m afraid the moment I put one on, I’ll lose a finger.”

Logan, of course, understood her jab.

He and Riley weren’t close—her older brother, Hunter Nelson, was the real connection. A long-time friend.

Jack, standing nearby, grew anxious. He coughed gently and offered, “Mrs. Reid, actually… Miss Nelson is Mr. Hunter Nelson’s sister. Mr. Nelson is the one who’s friends with Mr. Reid.”

“Ohhh~” Selina drawled dramatically, resting her chin on her hand. She smiled, eyes sharp.

“So she’s not even your friend. And yet she jokes with you like that? Wow. Can’t wait to see how bold she gets if you ever become friends.”

Logan shot Jack a cool glance.

Jack swallowed hard. Uh-oh. Why did it feel like he’d said something wrong?

He quietly stepped outside. Yeah… better stay out of this one.

“I didn’t know she’d be there today,” Logan said. “I’ve already disciplined the manager who let her in without telling me.”

He paused. “She’s never joked like that before.”

Never joked like that before?

Selina blinked. So… why now? Why act that way, and in front of her, no less?

It felt staged. As if Riley had done it on purpose—for her to see.

Selina’s suspicion deepened. Maybe Riley had an agenda after all.

She narrowed her eyes, voice deceptively sweet. “If I invite Miss Nelson to help pick out wedding rings, do you think she’ll be upset? What if she’s secretly bothered?”

Logan answered plainly, “Whether she is or isn’t, I don’t care. All that matters is you’re happy.”

Selina pouted slightly. Nice words, but…

She had heard of Hunter—future heir to the Nelson Family, one of Logan’s closest friends. Even if he lived abroad, their connection remained strong through business.

If she clashed with Riley, and it drove a wedge between Logan and Hunter… wouldn’t she be the problem?

Selina clicked her tongue. No. No way. She couldn’t just swallow this.

Why was it always these women using their brothers or fathers to cozy up to Logan? Why did none of them act like he was a married man?

She didn’t buy for a second that Riley hadn’t known who she was. Even if she hadn’t, when she saw another woman with Logan, why hadn’t she at least asked “Who is she?” before flirting?

Enough was enough. If Logan was going to have admirers swarming him like bees, then maybe it was time she had a few admirers of her own…

Selina suddenly thought of someone, and her eyes lit up with mischief.

“I’m very particular about wedding rings. Regular designers just don’t cut it for me.”

Logan leaned in, all ears. “Mm. Then who does Mrs. Reid have in mind?”

Her tone turned deliberately sly. “Not sure if you’ve heard of this name—he doesn’t release much, but every single piece is a classic.”

Logan raised a brow. From that description, he already had a pretty good guess. “Who?”

Selina’s brows arched triumphantly. “A legend in the industry—Rowan. Ring a bell?”

Logan hid the smile in his eyes, playing along. “Rowan… If I recall, he stepped back from the design world years ago. No one’s heard from him in ages. Doesn’t matter how much you offer—he turns everyone down. So what makes you think he’ll say yes to you?”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re out of the loop.”

Selina had been building up to this, and now it was time to drop the bomb.

She cleared her throat and said as casually as she could, “I’ve actually known Rowan for years. He was the one who mentored me when I first started. Technically, he’s my teacher.”

Logan tilted his head, amused. “And?”

“So, everyone else might get rejected. But me? No way.”

She leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming. “You have no idea how well he treated me. He supported me when I was about to quit. Gave me time to rest when I was burned out.”

“And Rowan’s young. Handsome. Charismatic. Not that far off from you.”

She stressed that last part—”not that far off from you.”

Logan gave her a look. “So… you’ve met him?”

Selina froze.

Honestly, she’d just gotten annoyed that Logan had all these women hovering around him—so why couldn’t she have a mysterious male figure in her corner too?

Rowan, this elusive mentor, seemed like the perfect pick.

In truth, she didn’t know how old Rowan was or what he looked like. She only knew he was a design legend—probably some forty-something man who’d retired because he lacked the energy.

Still, facts weren’t about to stop her from selling the story.

She coughed. “Of course I’ve met him. He’s my mentor—why wouldn’t I?”

Logan was clearly enjoying himself now. “Funny. People say Mr. Rowan’s over forty and stopped designing because he was… well, past his prime.”

“That’s nonsense!” Selina shot back instinctively. “Wh—who said that? My teacher’s young. Just about your age. And his face? Anyone would fall for it at first glance.”

Logan narrowed his eyes. “Mrs. Reid sure thinks highly of Rowan.”

“Of course. We’ve supported each other through so much—quiet, unspoken years.”

Selina sniffled a bit, hamming it up. “Back then, I thought Rowan was the best person in the world. Brilliant, disciplined, and just… exceptional.”

Logan’s smile deepened.

Outside the door, Jack, who’d been eavesdropping, blinked hard. Wait a minute… who’s she talking about? Rowan?

Isn’t that the alias Mr. Reid used back in his design days?!