Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 283

Chapter 283: Indirect Criticism
Everyone knew about the relationship between Hunter and Logan, and it was common knowledge that Riley had grown up alongside Logan too.

There had been plenty of rumors about the two of them when they were teenagers, and it was only after Riley went abroad that the gossip finally died down.

Now Riley was back—and not only that, she was here to talk business with Logan.

People couldn’t help but wonder: Wouldn’t it be awkward for Mrs. Reid to stay here?

Just as everyone was speculating, Riley arrived.

Selina narrowed her eyes slightly.

Logan gently squeezed her hand and said in a low voice, “If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll send her away. This deal should have been handled by Hunter’s assistant anyway.”

Selina shook her head.

If it was really just business, she wasn’t that petty.

Riley showing up at Reid Group was practically a huge piece of gossip.

“What if Mrs. Reid and Miss Nelson clash?”

“I’m sure Mr. Reid will handle it properly.”

“But who do you think Mr. Reid really loves?”

“Mrs. Reid, obviously. Didn’t he go public for her?”

“But those old rumors about Miss Nelson and Mr. Reid—those couldn’t have all been fake, right? Maybe she’s his first love…”

“Tch, first love versus real wife—that’s gonna be a show.”

“If Miss Nelson has no intentions, that’s fine. But if she does—Mrs. Reid is at a serious disadvantage. Everyone knows about Hunter’s relationship with Mr. Reid, and Nelson Family is powerful too. Mrs. Reid can’t compare to that.”

Selina clicked her tongue twice.

“Logan, sorry. My brother’s assistant is in the hospital with gastritis, so I had to come myself,”

Riley said as she exited the elevator.

The executive office staff clearly knew her; she greeted them casually, looking all businesslike as she handed the documents to Jack.

It was only then that she seemed to notice Selina’s presence and acted surprised.

“Selina, you’re here too? No wonder I heard some gossip just now…Logan, honestly—you’re married already. Why don’t you do a better job clearing up those rumors about us?”

Everyone strained their ears to listen.

Riley turned to Selina, looking helpless:

“Selina, whatever you hear, don’t take it to heart. There’s absolutely nothing between Logan and me.”

Selina blinked innocently.

“So all the rumors were fake?”

Riley nodded seriously.

“Of course. Logan’s identity attracts too much attention. People make up all sorts of stories about him.”

She added casually:

“By the way, Selina, have you eaten yet? If not, I can take you downstairs—there’s a famous restaurant nearby I can show you.”

She pulled out her phone as if to make a reservation, looking perfectly friendly and familiar.

“No need, I already ate,” Selina said lightly.

Then she remembered: Riley also pretended to be her “friend” on Twitter.

Was she doing the same thing now—pretending to be friends face-to-face?

“That’s good,” Riley smiled warmly.

“I was worried Logan might’ve forgotten to feed you.”

She chatted easily about clothes and jewelry, almost offhandedly—but somehow just loud enough for others to overhear.

“Your red dress looks stunning. I have a pigeon-blood ruby necklace—it would match perfectly. I’ll give it to you next time.”

Whispers broke out among the staff.

“I didn’t expect Mrs. Reid and Miss Nelson to be such good friends!”

“Yeah, all that drama about two women fighting over one man never even happened. Turns out Miss Nelson is actually Mrs. Reid’s friend.”

“I thought Miss Nelson would be like those other women, trying to steal Mr. Reid away. But she doesn’t even look at him—she’s all business.”

“Exactly! She treats Mr. Reid like a business partner and treats Mrs. Reid like a real friend.”

“Ugh, their friendship is goals. I’m jealous.”

Riley’s smile deepened.

Exactly.

By publicly flaunting her “friendship” with Selina, she could later do anything under the guise of friendship—Even if she got close to Logan, no one would dare say a word.

Selina curved her lips slightly.

It had been a long time since she’d seen such a high-level fake “friend.”

Her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke with a deliberate hint of confusion:

“A pigeon-blood ruby necklace? Miss Nelson, we’ve only met twice. Are you really willing to be that generous?”

The phrase “only met twice” made everyone who had just been praising their “fairy-like friendship” freeze up a little.

Only two meetings?

But on Twitter they made it sound like…

“Selina,” Riley quickly interrupted, seeing the shift in atmosphere.

“This just shows we’re meant to be friends! You don’t have to know someone for long to build a friendship, right?”

Selina nodded slightly, playing along:

“Well, that’s true…But let’s skip the necklace. Miss Nelson, you know I’m a cautious person. I don’t dare accept things so easily from others.”

Selina’s tone became a little more pointed:

“Don’t laugh at me—but once, I knew someone who pretended to befriend me, showered me with gifts, all just to get close to my fiancé.”

Riley’s face stiffened.

“S-Selina, what are you talking about? I’m not that kind of person.”

Selina was actually talking about Natalia, but somehow… it fit Riley just fine.

Selina tilted her head, her voice soft and innocent:

“Oh… no need to panic, Miss Nelson. I wasn’t talking about you. Just… reminiscing.”

Everyone at the Reid Group’s executive office wasn’t stupid.

Miss Nelson and Mrs. Reid had only met twice, yet she was already flaunting friendship on Twitter, offering expensive gifts in person…

Who wouldn’t overthink it?

Riley’s face turned pale.

“Selina, I—”

But Logan’s voice cut in, cool and emotionless:

“Weren’t you here to discuss business, Miss Nelson?”

He didn’t even look at her.

“This project will be fully handled by Jack. Proceed.”

Jack smiled politely:

“Miss Nelson, this way, please.”

If Riley tried to force herself to stay now, it would only look worse. She could only take a step back.

“Of course. Selina, let’s catch up another time.”

As the crowd dispersed, Selina asked curiously:

“What kind of business are you discussing with the Nelson Family?”

Logan answered simply:

“Cold chain transportation for pharmaceuticals. It was originally handled by Hunter, but he wants Riley to start taking over some of the Nelson Family’s operations.”

“Taking over the Nelson Family’s business? Why?”

Hunter was doing a great job managing things.

The Nelson Family’s businesses had even expanded overseas.

Why would he hand it over to Riley?

“Hunter isn’t the biological child of the Nelson Family—he’s adopted. He wants to return the family’s business to their blood relatives.”

Selina blinked, stunned by the bombshell gossip she just stumbled into.

Was he even allowed to tell her this?!

Her intel network was pretty strong, and even she hadn’t heard this before—clearly, it was a tightly kept secret.

Logan didn’t seem to care at all; he didn’t even lift his eyelids.

“You’re not an outsider.”

Selina nodded, wanting to ask more but hesitating, fidgeting for a while before finally blurting out:

“Um…”

Logan glanced at her lazily:

“Mrs. Reid, if you want to ask, then ask. What are you thinking about so hard?”

Selina’s voice carried a sourness she didn’t even realize herself:

“Are you and Hunter that close? He even tells you all his secrets?”

Logan’s tolerance toward Angelica—his so-called “lifesaver”—wasn’t even as high as his tolerance for Riley. And all because of Hunter.

What kind of person is Hunter, to make Logan look at him differently like that?

Plus, Riley clearly had feelings for Logan.

If Hunter ever started speaking on her behalf… then…