Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Spreading Rumors Chapter 46: Spreading Rumors Selina wished she could disappear.

She shut her eyes tightly and muttered, “What are you laughing at?

This is all your fault!”  Thinking about her awkward walking posture, Logan replied slowly, “Mrs.

Reid, at least take the morning off.

Or do you want everyone to figure out the real reason for your tardiness?”  Selina glanced at the clock.

The first class had already started-she’d definitely be late if she went now.  Not to mention, her thighs ached so much she could barely walk…  Covering her face, Selina surrendered to her frustration, biting her lip hard.

“Fine.

I’ll handle it myself.”  She requested leave from her advisor and returned upstairs to rest.  The moment her figure disappeared, the warmth in Logan’s gaze turned to ice as he looked at Jack.

“Did you find anything?”  “Sir, it was the Reid Family’s lackeys who drugged you.

But the mastermind is too cunning-we couldn’t catch them.”  Logan let out a cold laugh.

“The Reid Family.

Who else could it be?”  It was either his dear stepmother or, perhaps, his beloved father.  Jack bowed respectfully.

“Should we keep investigating, sir?”  Logan crushed a delicate orchid bud between his fingers and replied indifferently, “Keep digging.

Make it big-loud enough for the entire Reid Family to know about this.”  Jack hesitated for a split second but never doubted Logan’s decisions.

He nodded immediately.

“Understood.”  By the afternoon, after having lunch, Selina felt much better.  She had the driver take her to campus.

But as she walked toward the computer science department after getting out of the car, she noticed her classmates giving her strange looks.  Selina frowned.

What was going on?  “Isn’t that her?

I can’t believe she even has the nerve to show up here.”  “She’s so young, and already messing around with old men.

Having someone like her at City A University is a disgrace to our school’s reputation!”  “I heard Selina grew up in the countryside, a total hillbilly with no proper upbringing.

No wonder she’s capable of such shameful behavior!”  The murmurs grew louder, reaching Selina’s ears.

Her eyes narrowed.  Were they talking about her?  “Hey, don’t you have any shame?” A student suddenly blocked her path.

“Messing around with five or six old men last night, and you still have the energy to show up here?”  Selina recognized her.

It was Emma Miller, a girl from a modestly wealthy family and one of Natalia’s lackeys.

Emma often followed Natalia, bullying classmates and causing trouble.  Emma hated Selina’s face-how could someone look so beautiful?

Natalia had told her that Selina had done all kinds of dirty, menial work in the countryside.

How could someone like her even qualify to be Emma’s classmate?  Seeing Selina remain silent, Emma snapped, “What’s the matter?

Cat got your tongue?”  Selina casually brushed her hair aside.

“You’d better stop spreading lies about things you didn’t see.

Slander is illegal, you know.”  Emma jabbed a finger toward Selina’s nose, furious.

“Don’t act like you’re innocent!

You think I’m making this up?

Guess what?

Photos of you drinking with old men at a bar last night are already all over the campus forum!

Every student has seen them!”  The moment she finished speaking, a crowd of students stopped to watch the commotion.  The dean of students, having received notice that a high-profile guest was visiting the campus soon, hurried over when he saw the commotion, worried it might tarnish the school’s reputation.

“What’s going on here?

Why are you all arguing?”  Seeing the dean, Emma’s confidence soared as she unleashed her anger.  “Dean White, I’m reporting Selina!

Her personal life is scandalous.

She’s been drinking and sleeping with old men at bars, disgracing the school’s reputation!”  “I’m only thinking of the school’s reputation.

I asked her for an explanation, but she denied everything and even accused me of slander!

She’s just trying to cover up her own dirty deeds-everyone knows how disgusting she is!”  As Emma finished, a few students jealous of Selina joined in, chiming in their agreement.  “Yeah, Selina went drinking in the middle of the night, and there are pictures to prove it.”  “She’s always stepping out of luxury cars, getting really close with some man.

The two of them disappeared into a hallway-who knows what they were doing!”  “Dean White, you need to handle this properly.

If word gets out, what will happen to City A University’s reputation?”  Dean White frowned and turned to Selina.

“Selina, is this true?”  Selina chuckled coldly, just about to respond when a soft voice interrupted from a distance.  “Dean White, please don’t be upset.

My sister might have gone to the bar, but I’m sure she didn’t sell herself!”  Natalia, feigning innocence and concern, hurried over as though she’d just learned the news.

Her eyes were red, and she kept bowing in apology.  “I’m so sorry, everyone.

My sister has caused trouble for all of you.

I apologize on her behalf.

She rarely goes to bars; she only drinks occasionally.

I’ll make sure to advise her in the future.

Please, let’s not say anything more about this…”  The surrounding students exchanged glances, some impressed by Natalia’s apparent devotion.

She seemed like such a good sister, coming all the way to the computer science department to explain on Selina’s behalf.  Meanwhile, Natalia’s expression grew smug.  All it had taken was a few photos and some ambiguous rumors, and the results were even better than she’d hoped.  Selina smiled faintly.  This was one of Natalia’s classic tactics-pretending to apologize on her behalf while subtly reinforcing the narrative that Selina frequently went to bars and drank with older men.  Sensing the crowd’s reaction shifting in her favor, Natalia decided to push a little further.

“Sister, why don’t you just explain to everyone?

There’s no need to-“  “Natalia, aren’t you disgusting?”  A sharp female voice suddenly cut Natalia off mid-sentence.  Everyone turned toward the source and collectively froze.  Standing behind them was the school principal, members of the school board, and other influential figures.  Among them was a man with a cold expression and piercing, knife-like gaze.

His mere presence made the students shiver.  At the front of the group was the woman who had spoken-Alice.

Natalia turned to face her, her expression stiffening.

Then, as if wounded, she spoke with a trembling voice.

“Miss Drake, what have I done wrong to deserve such scolding from you?”  Alice sneered.

“So what if Selina went to a bar?

Does that give you the right to make this fake, sanctimonious apology?

Are you really trying to help her, or are you just out to ruin her reputation?

You know the answer better than anyone.”  Tears fell from Natalia’s eyes, her voice laced with helplessness.

“I was just trying to explain for my sister.

I didn’t want people to misunderstand her…”  Emma, unwilling to let the matter drop, interjected angrily, “If Selina is so innocent, then why was she at the bar in the first place?”  Alice raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at her lips.

“Because Selina happens to own that bar, of course.”  Boom- The crowd erupted in shock.  That bar was one of the most luxurious establishments in City A.

How could Selina possibly be its owner?  Natalia’s face turned pale, and she shook her head vehemently.

“Miss Drake, what nonsense are you spouting?

My sister grew up in the countryside-how could she…”  “Natalia,” Alice cut her off sharply, “you’re still trying to deny it?

The identity of the bar’s owner isn’t exactly a secret.

Anyone can look it up.

Do you really think I’d lie to protect Selina?”