Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: The Fool Who Got Played Chapter 39: The Fool Who Got Played At 10 p.m., Selina gathered her courage and knocked on Logan’s study door.  The man’s cool, crisp voice sounded from inside.

“Come in.”  Selina entered, holding a glass of milk.

“Mr.

Reid, Miller Butler asked me to bring this up to you.”  Logan’s gaze rested on the glass of milk, his expression thoughtful.

“Mrs.

Reid, have you ever heard a certain saying?”  Selina blinked.

“What saying?”  Logan’s lips curled faintly.

“When someone goes out of their way to be nice, they either want something or plan to steal something.”  Selina’s face turned red instantly.

“W-What nonsense!

I’m just being considerate!”  Logan’s smile deepened, but he said nothing.  Selina felt the awkwardness growing and decided to push through, summoning all her courage.

“You mentioned earlier that you’d take me to the banquet.

Does that still stand?”  Logan raised an eyebrow, his tone light.

“I recall you declining.”  Selina’s cheeks burned as she lowered her head in embarrassment.

“I thought about it, and… you shouldn’t have to face this alone.

What if the Hayes Family tries another trick to pressure you into marrying Rachel?

I should be by your side.”  The room fell silent.  Selina shifted uncomfortably, unsure of his answer.

Just as she was about to speak again, Logan broke the quiet with a casual, “No.”  She froze, then blurted out in frustration, “Why not?!”  Realizing her tone, Selina coughed to compose herself and softened her voice.

“I mean, why?

I just want to see the world with you-is that so bad?”  Logan chuckled warmly, gently pushing her forehead with his finger, his tone mock-apologetic.

“Hmm, no.

Because you were right, Mrs.

Reid.

We’re in a secret marriage.

It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to attend.”  Selina’s expression shifted rapidly.

“…”  The very excuse she’d used earlier was now being thrown back at her, and she couldn’t find a way to counter it!  Logan glanced at her.

“Anything else?”  His dismissal was painfully obvious, leaving Selina momentarily speechless.

Finally, she forced a strained smile.

“No, nothing else.

I’ll head back to my room then.

Good night, Mr.

Reid.”  As she left, Logan watched her retreating figure, a faint smirk playing on his lips.  Back in her room, Selina slammed her fist onto the bed in frustration.  Fine!

If he won’t take me, I’ll go anyway!  She clenched her teeth, determined.

The ruby brooch-her mother’s brooch-was too important.

She had to attend the banquet.

But how?  Her eyes lit up as an idea struck her.

Picking up her phone, she quickly called Noah.  The day of the banquet arrived quickly.  Half an hour before it began, Selina strolled casually to the entrance of the Hayes Family’s grand hall.  Noah had promised to get her another invitation, but it would take time.

Unbothered, Selina found a quiet corner to wait, watching the flow of guests entering the venue.  From a distance, Rachel spotted her and immediately clenched her jaw in fury.  She had extended a “polite” invitation to Selina the night before, never expecting her to actually show up!  Rachel’s expression darkened before an idea formed in her mind.

Turning to her group of socialite friends, she sighed dramatically.

“I just saw the woman who stole Logan from me.

She’s here.

Do you think she’s here to mock me because I wasn’t humiliated enough already?”  Among the group, a certain Miss Green raised an eyebrow.

“The mistress?

She has the nerve to show up?”  Rachel feigned a sorrowful expression.

“Well, she’s the one with Logan now.

Why wouldn’t she come?

I just… I really don’t want to see her.

Let’s go inside.”  Miss Green’s eyes flickered with calculation.

Selina was alone, without even a proper gown.

Clearly, she wasn’t here with Logan.  Perfect.  If Miss Green could chase this woman out, the Hayes Family would owe her a favor.  Miss Green immediately grabbed Rachel’s hand.

“Why should you have to step back when she’s the shameless one?

Rachel, don’t worry-I’ll handle this and kick her out for you!”  Selina was casually scrolling through her phone when she noticed a shadow looming over her.

She looked up, surprised to see two people: Rachel and, apparently, a certain Miss Green, rumored to be the illegitimate daughter of Green Group.  Miss Green marched forward indignantly, letting out a cold sneer.  “I can’t believe someone could be so shameless-ruining someone else’s engagement and then showing up to flaunt it.

You’ve really set a new standard for being a homewrecker.

Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Clark?”  Her loud accusation caught the attention of several guests nearby, who exchanged puzzled glances.  Selina didn’t even bother to react, her gaze remaining fixed on her phone.  Miss Green, unused to being ignored, clenched her teeth in frustration.

“I’m talking to you!

Are you deaf?”  Finally, Selina tucked her phone away and looked up, her tone calm and deliberate.

“Before charging in to fight someone else’s battle, you should make sure you know the full story.

Otherwise, when the truth comes out, you’ll be the one humiliated while the instigator walks away unscathed.”  Miss Green instinctively glanced at Rachel.  Rachel bit her lip hard and countered, “What are you implying?

Are you saying Miss Green can’t tell right from wrong?”  Snapping back to her senses, Miss Green narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, so you’re calling me stupid now?

Get out of here!”  Selina let out a faint laugh, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“It seems I’m not the only one who thinks that.” Turning her attention to Rachel, she added, “Rachel, have you forgotten why Logan was invited here tonight?”  The real purpose of Logan’s invitation was to clear up the engagement rumors, yet Rachel was still acting like she was his fiancée.  But something didn’t add up.

Why had Rachel sounded so agreeable and composed yesterday if she wasn’t willing to let go?  Rachel’s face stiffened, her composure unraveling as she retorted angrily, “I’m not talking to you!

And for the record, I never invited you!”  Miss Green seized the opportunity, raising her voice.

“Everyone heard that, right?

This woman wasn’t even invited!

Security, escort her out!”  The guards began to move forward, but before they could act, a sleek car pulled up at the entrance.  Everyone froze in place, their gazes snapping toward the vehicle.  “Mr.

Reid is actually here…”  “I thought Hayes Family and Mr.

Reid were no longer on good terms?”  “That must’ve been false.

Why else would Mr.

Reid show up?”  Miss Green quickly raised her voice again.

“Mr.

Reid, this woman crashed the banquet uninvited and even bullied Miss Hayes!

You have to stand up for her!”  Selina instinctively turned to look, only to meet Logan’s cool, unyielding gaze.

Her heart sank.  Damn it.  Logan had explicitly told her not to attend the banquet.

Yet here she was, having a confrontation with Rachel.  If Logan spoke up now, she’d have no chance of getting inside.  A wave of frustration and a tinge of helplessness washed over her.

Clenching her jaw, Selina decided to leave for now and find another way to sneak in later.  She turned to go, but before she could take a step, a firm hand caught her wrist.  Logan’s voice was soft, his eyes calm as he leaned in slightly.  “Why didn’t you wait for me?

You came here alone?”