Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 316

Chapter 316: Knight Luke
Mr. Green slammed the phone down with a sharp snap.

Selina narrowed her eyes.

She hadn’t misheard—Mr. Green had said Mr. Reid.

That was odd. Which Mr. Reid? Logan knew she was attending tonight’s auction. There was no way he’d compete with her for that pearl.

So who was using the Reid name to throw their weight around?

Selina turned immediately. “I’m going to find the organizer.”

Freya quickly followed.

To their surprise, someone was already waiting outside Mr. Green’s office—it was Luke.

Luke’s eyes lit up when he saw Selina. “Selina!”

She blinked. “What are you doing here?”

“Picking something up. Mr. Green—perfect timing!” Luke stepped forward as the office door opened. “Where’s my item?”

Mr. Green sighed in exasperation. “Young Master Reid, I’ve already upset Mr. Morris today because of you. Please, have some mercy and—”

He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Selina behind Luke.

His face darkened instantly, and he stepped past Luke. “Miss Clark, I already explained things. Why are you still here?”

That East Sea Pearl had already been handed to Miss Nelson, supposedly on Mr. Reid’s behalf. They hadn’t taken a cent from Selina. Was she really planning to make a scene now?

Selina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “So, Mr. Green, just to clarify—who exactly is this Mr. Reid you’re referring to?”

Mr. Green gave a short, condescending laugh. A country girl who didn’t even know who Mr. Reid was?

“Who else could it be? In all of City A, who else would be addressed as Mr. Reid?”

Obviously, Logan.

Mr. Green, proud of himself for cozying up to Riley, felt smug and self-important.

“Miss Clark, I didn’t want to deny you the item. But my hands are tied. I can’t afford to offend Mr. Reid.”

Freya was stunned. Logan? Logan was Selina’s husband! Why would he steal an auction item out from under her?

Luke, confused, looked between everyone, finally piecing it together.

“Wait… Selina, your winning bid on the pearl got canceled because Logan wanted it?”

He blinked. “What the hell does Logan want with a pearl—and why would he snatch it from you?”

Luke couldn’t believe it. “Mr. Green, business is about integrity. You know Selina and my brother are—”

“Mr. Green, is the pearl ready?”

A soft female voice cut in from the doorway.

Luke froze.

Riley walked in, dressed in an elegant white dress, all graceful smiles. “Selina, Luke? What a coincidence—you’re here too.”

She turned to Mr. Green. “Thank you again for letting me have the pearl. I really love it.”

Mr. Green beamed. “Miss Nelson, don’t be modest. Of course the pearl is yours. You’re Mr. Reid’s honored guest. He told me to take care of you—so naturally, this is yours.”

Selina’s pupils contracted.

Inside the gift box sat the very East Sea Pearl she had just bid eight million for.

Now it was being handed directly to Riley.

Riley nudged the box ever so slightly toward Selina, making sure she got a clear look. Then, feigning realization, she added:

“Oh, right! Selina, did you see anything you liked at the auction? Mr. Green and I are good friends—I could get it for you at a discount.”

Selina slowly looked up, meeting Riley’s gaze.

With a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she replied coolly, “Whatever I like is none of Miss Nelson’s concern. Freya, Luke, let’s go.”

Freya looked like she might explode. She gave Riley a scathing glare before storming out.

Luke, though known for acting like a brainless rich kid, had eyes like glass—clear and reflective.

He glanced once at the girl Hunter doted on most… then left without a word.

Mr. Green couldn’t help but complain on Riley’s behalf.

“Young Master Luke is one thing, but what’s with Freya and Selina? So rude, both of them!”

Riley brushed it off like it didn’t matter.

“It’s fine. Selina’s temper can be a bit much, but she doesn’t mean any harm.”

Mr. Green sighed in admiration.

“You really are kind, Miss Nelson. No wonder Mr. Reid holds you in such high regard.”

A pleased smile tugged at Riley’s lips.

…

Outside the auction hall.

Madam Nelson and Nancy had come to pick up Riley—and happened to bump right into Selina.

By now, Madam Nelson already knew about the pearl Selina had wanted. Now that Riley had it, every word out of Madam Nelson’s mouth was laced with mockery.

“Miss Clark, you came all the way to the auction… and left empty-handed? Didn’t like anything inside?”

Before Selina could respond, Nancy chimed in smugly.

“Auntie, you didn’t hear? Miss Clark had her eye on a pearl from the East Sea—bid eight million on it!”

Madam Nelson gasped dramatically.

“Eight million?! Miss Clark, you must be swimming in money! What kind of pearl is worth that much? Let’s see it, then—show us!”

The onlookers around them perked up, curiosity piqued.

What kind of pearl could possibly be worth eight million?

Nancy, seeing the growing crowd, felt a surge of triumph. She raised her voice with malicious delight.

“Auntie, you misunderstood! Miss Clark did bid eight million, but she didn’t get to keep the pearl! Because Mr. Green said Mr. Reid wanted it… for Riley!”

Gasps rang out.

All at once, curious, pitying, and judgmental eyes turned toward Selina.

Freya looked like she was about to explode. She stepped forward to snap at them, but Selina grabbed her wrist and held her back.

Madam Nelson feigned surprise, her tone dripping with false sympathy.

“Oh dear… Miss Clark, I had no idea Mr. Reid would do that. As for Riley… if you really liked that pearl, I could ask her to give it to you?”

“Auntie, you can’t do that.”

Nancy played the opposite role, chiming in sweetly with fake concern.

“That pearl was a heartfelt gift from Mr. Reid to Riley. If Riley gave it to Miss Clark, wouldn’t that upset him?”

Then she added, in her most innocent, sugar-coated tone: “Miss Clark, I know it must feel terrible to see your own husband give another woman a pearl. But try not to take it personally, okay?”

“Our Riley and Mr. Reid grew up together. They’ve exchanged gifts like this countless times. One pearl? It’s nothing. You really shouldn’t be upset.”

Luke’s jaw dropped.

Was it just him, or did the Nelson Family always manage to outdo themselves with how shameless they were?

Before Nancy could pile on another word, Luke suddenly raised his voice in mock amazement.

“Madam Nelson, are you saying you agree with everything Miss Nelson just said?”

Of course Madam Nelson agreed—she was the one who told Nancy what to say.

And besides, what had Nancy said that was wrong? Logan giving Riley a gift—what was the big deal?

Madam Nelson put on her usual air of superiority.

“Luke, Miss Clark, I understand this must be difficult to accept—”

“Oh, I don’t have a problem accepting it,” Luke interrupted quickly. “No worries. I’ve seen stuff like this plenty of times.”

He gave a perfectly innocent smile.

“After all, isn’t that exactly the kind of person you are, Madam Nelson? I totally get it now.”