Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: A Sudden Realization Chapter 43: A Sudden Realization Liam knew there was no saving Rachel today.

Taking a deep breath, he decisively declared: “Logan, Hayes Family will give you a proper explanation for today’s events.

Rachel is at your disposal; I won’t interfere.”  Logan replied calmly, “I’m not interested in meddling with Hayes Family’s personal matters.

As long as your solution satisfies me, it’s enough.”  Liam’s face darkened, but he endured it.

Turning to Mrs.

Hayes, he barked, “Didn’t you hear what Logan said?

Take that disgraceful daughter of ours and get out of here!”  Mrs.

Hayes shot Selina a venomous glare before dragging Rachel away.  Liam shifted back to Logan and Selina with a forced smile.

“I heard Clark Miss has an interest in the ruby brooch?

Shall I arrange for someone to take you to see it?”  Before Selina could reply, Logan coolly interjected, “No need, Mr.

Hayes.

I’ll take her myself.”  Left with no choice, Liam watched them leave, his gaze chilling as it landed on Selina.

“In that case, I won’t intrude further.”  Liam returned to his room, his face taut with fury.

Inside, Mrs.

Hayes was consoling Rachel.  “Rachel, get out,” he ordered.  Rachel, sobbing, pleaded, “Dad, I want to marry Logan.

Help me.

I need-“  “I said get out!” Liam roared, his voice booming.  Terrified, Rachel froze, then fled the room in tears.  As soon as the door shut, Liam turned and slapped Mrs.

Hayes hard across the face.  She clutched her cheek, stunned.

“You hit me?”  “You idiot!” Liam’s voice was sharp with contempt.

“What’s the point of targeting Selina now?

They’re already married!

Even if Rachel had the greatest schemes, do you think she could force Logan into a divorce?”  Mrs.

Hayes spat bitterly, “But Selina doesn’t deserve-“  “Shut up!” Liam’s anger flared further.

“Just to ruin her face, you two fools acted personally?

You’re both beyond useless!”  The more he spoke, the angrier he became.

“My daughter is a complete idiot!

To plot against someone and leave evidence-what good are you?”  Mrs.

Hayes cried out in protest, “But you can’t send Rachel abroad!

She’s been pampered her whole life.

How will she survive?”  “She grabbed a knife and nearly injured Logan!

Do you think being sent abroad is the worst that could happen?”  Mrs.

Hayes panicked.

“Then… what do you want to do?

Rachel is your daughter!”  “Don’t forget, Bella is returning soon.

If your and Rachel’s stupidity drives Logan away from Bella, I’ll make you regret it.”  Liam’s voice was ice-cold as he delivered his ultimatum.

“If Bella is willing to plead for Rachel, she’ll be shipped abroad.

If Bella refuses, Rachel can fend for herself.”  Mrs.

Hayes staggered back, her face overtaken by panic.  …

Selina followed Logan into the Hayes Family’s collection room.  The ruby brooch hadn’t yet been publicly displayed and lay quietly within a glass case.  Selina rushed forward, her excitement waning the moment she got a closer look.

Her expression turned unreadable.  Logan raised an eyebrow.

“Not what you expected?”  Selina shook her head in disappointment.  She had thought she’d finally found the ruby brooch.

After all the effort she went through to attend the banquet, it turned out to be a counterfeit.  What was Hayes Family playing at?

A family of this caliber displaying a fake brooch-weren’t they afraid of embarrassment?  Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Logan easily deduced the purpose of her evening escapade.

His brow arched slightly.

“If you wanted to see the ruby brooch, you could’ve just asked me.”  Selina avoided his gaze, mumbling under her breath, “But you wouldn’t even let me come to the banquet.”  Logan chuckled softly.

“Mrs.

Reid, do you really not know why I didn’t want you to attend the banquet?”  Selina froze, her scalp tingling.

The real reason Logan refused to bring her was because she insisted on keeping their marriage a secret.

But…

wouldn’t revealing their relationship now cause complications?  It wasn’t Ryan’s feelings she was worried about; it was Old Mr.

Carter’s ability to accept such a shocking twist.

After all, turning a grandson’s fiancée into a son’s wife would take some time to digest.  Selina’s eyes darted around as she scrambled for an excuse.

Lowering her head, she put on a pitiful look.  “Logan, look at Hayes Family-one of them already wants me dead, and we’re not even publicly married yet.

If we make it official, won’t there be even more people after me?

I wouldn’t stand a chance against them.  “So, staying married in secret is for my safety!”  Logan’s sharp gaze fixed on her, studying her closely.  Seconds stretched into an eternity, and Selina felt cold sweat drip down her back before Logan finally turned his head and spoke.  “If Rachel learns her lesson, she won’t trouble you again.”  Selina blinked, realizing what he meant.

“Wait, you’re really letting me handle her?”  Logan nodded without hesitation.  A faint sense of being valued flickered in her chest.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so good to me?”  Logan met her gaze calmly.

“No particular reason.

But if you must ask, Mrs.

Reid, why did you marry me?”  Selina internally rolled her eyes.

Of course, it was because he was Ryan’s uncle.  But saying that outright would make her seem heartless.  To be fair, Logan was so exceptional he didn’t even seem like he belonged to the Carter Family.  Just as she opened her mouth to reply, someone walked up to them.  “Mr.

Reid!

What an honor to see you here.

Allow me to propose a toast.”  Logan’s eyes flickered with disdain, but the man didn’t relent.  “Mr.

Reid, you’re truly the finest of the Reid Family heirs.

Even Hayes Family can’t stand against you now.”  Selina frowned.

The man’s tone was laced with sarcasm.  Wait…

what did he mean by “the finest Reid Family heir”?

Wasn’t Logan part of the Carter Family?  The man shifted his gaze to her.

“And this must be Mrs.

Reid?

Have you had the pleasure of visiting the Reid Family estate yet?”  Selina’s heart skipped a beat.

Reid Family estate?  She glanced at Logan, her voice trembling.

“…Reid Family estate?”  Logan raised an eyebrow, pulling her close and glaring at the man before silently leading her downstairs.  The man didn’t pursue them but instead watched their retreating figures with a smug expression.  By the time they reached the lower floor, Selina still hadn’t recovered.  “So…

why did he ask if you’d take me to the Reid Family estate?”  Logan’s expression grew colder.

“It’s nothing.

Family matters-pay it no mind.”  Selina’s heart raced.

“Family?

Are we talking about the Carter Family or the Reid Family?”  Without clarity, she’d never sleep tonight.  But Logan’s icy demeanor made her hesitate.

The question died on her lips, and she swallowed it back down.  She had never doubted him before.

But now, she couldn’t ignore the possibility-had she married the wrong man?  After the banquet, Logan was swamped with work and didn’t return to Sapphire Valley Villa for three days.  Selina used every means she could think of to investigate Logan, but all her searches came up blank.  Finally, she resolved to go somewhere that might have the answers she sought.  Thirty minutes later, outside a discreet bar.  The establishment appeared to be an ordinary bar but was actually a front for an information-trading network.

Years ago, Selina had accidentally become one of its owners, though she rarely visited.

Tonight, she was here to dig up the truth.  As soon as she walked in, someone nearby exclaimed in surprise, “Logan, look-it’s your wife!”