Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Playing Along with Her Act Chapter 88: Playing Along with Her Act Selina froze for a moment.

“Y-Yes.” Logan raised a brow.

“So, it seems the Carter Family plans to have you lead the collaboration?” Hearing him mention the collaboration, Selina finally remembered.

“Why aren’t you here?” Logan smirked.

Mrs.

Reid probably still believed he was the Carter Family heir, hence the question.

He didn’t correct her.

“Something came up.

I won’t be attending.” Selina instinctively asked, “What happened?

Is it serious?” Logan chuckled lightly.

“I didn’t realize Mrs.

Reid cared so much about me.

But instead of worrying about me, you should worry about Ryan.

You’re there to discuss collaboration, not to drive everyone up the wall.” Selina choked on her words, protesting, “How am I the one causing trouble?

They’re the ones bullying me!” Logan laughed softly.

“Yes, yes, they’re the ones bullying you.” Selina: “…” Why did it feel like he wasn’t taking her seriously at all?

At that moment, Ethan’s voice came through the phone.

“Logan, it’s time for your medication.” Logan clicked his tongue.

“Mrs.

Reid, enjoy yourself at the Carter Family.

I’ll have Jack pick you up later.” Hearing Logan’s faint laugh, laced with indulgence, Selina felt her cheeks flush as she awkwardly replied, “Oh, okay.” After hanging up, a realization hit her.

Logan seemed very informed about what was happening at the Carter Family.

Someone must have been keeping him updated.

Well, that made sense.

Even if he wasn’t attending, as the rightful Carter Family heir, it wasn’t surprising he’d be in the loop.

Also… Ethan mentioned medication.

Could Logan be injured?

…

At Reid Group’s office.

Logan hung up the call and glanced at his wound indifferently.

“That’s all my dear father has left in his bag of tricks.” Ethan frowned.

“Don’t brush it off.

The wound might not be deep, but the poison is dangerous.

How’s your vision been lately?” Logan raised a brow.

“It flared up once.

Selina saw it.” Ethan’s face immediately darkened.

“Did she say anything?” Logan recalled the moment Selina had seen him in the dark.

He’d lied, saying the power was out, and she’d believed him without question.

His mood lifted.

“No.

Even if she suspects, it doesn’t matter.” His voice carried a tone of absolute control, as if every detail had been meticulously planned.

But Ethan caught a hint of something else.

“Are you planning to go public with your marriage?” Logan’s smirk deepened.

“That depends on whether Mrs.

Reid is willing to play along.” …

At the Carter Family estate.

The butler came upstairs to inform Selina that dinner was ready.

She nodded and made her way down, only to be bumped into by someone rushing past her.

The momentary impact felt off, and Selina frowned.

Reaching into her bag, she found something that hadn’t been there before-a sapphire bracelet of significant value.

Her expression turned icy.

This bracelet was a gift James had given Natalia.

Clearly, Natalia had orchestrated this, slipping it into her bag to frame her.

What else could it be but a setup?

Selina narrowed her eyes and returned upstairs.

“Justin, give me that bracelet of yours.” Justin arched a brow.

“Who are you plotting against this time?” Selina feigned innocence.

“What do you mean, plotting?

Someone tried to set me up, and I’m just… responding in kind.” Justin chuckled softly and handed her the bracelet.

“Don’t go overboard.” Selina merely smiled, saying nothing.

The two bracelets looked nearly identical from a distance.

A perfect swap.

Selina was satisfied.

…

In the banquet hall, Old Mr.

Carter gestured for Selina to sit beside him.

“Selina, don’t hold back.

Treat this as your home.” Resting her chin on her hand, Selina smiled.

“Grandpa Carter, don’t just worry about me.

My sister is still here.” Natalia sniffled pitifully, tears brimming in her eyes.

The stark contrast between the two Clark daughters-one seated and the other standing-was glaringly obvious.

Ryan, deeply sympathetic to Natalia, couldn’t help but speak up.

“Grandpa, Natalia stayed behind specifically to apologize to you.

Perhaps you could…” Old Mr.

Carter frowned deeply but eventually relented.

“Fine, we’re all family.

Let her sit down.” Ryan quickly urged Natalia to thank him, and the two took their seats at the table.

As the evening went on and drinks flowed freely, Jillian’s eyes glinted with an idea.

She couldn’t help but speak up.  “Ryan, look at Natalia’s wrist-it’s still bare.

Remember that jewelry store I told you about?

Take her there when you have the time.”  Her gaze flicked to Selina with deliberate emphasis.

“Natalia is the true Clark Family heiress, raised in comfort and elegance.

You ought to treat her well!”  She sneered, her voice laced with mockery.

“Unlike some country bumpkins, who’ll follow you around just for scraps.”  Justin’s brow furrowed.

That was unnecessarily cruel.  The implication was clear: Natalia was accustomed to a life of luxury, surrounded by expensive jewels, while Selina was supposedly nothing more than a simpleton who could be appeased with mere leftovers.  Well then, let’s see who the real embarrassment is, Justin thought.  Natalia, however, had shed her earlier tearful demeanor and now wore a shy smile.  “Aunt Jillian, you misunderstood.

I just don’t want Ryan to overspend.

I already have a bracelet.

I’ll wear it now.”  Ryan, ever the doting partner, explained softly, “That bracelet is extraordinarily valuable, priceless even.

Natalia treasures it, so she only wears it on special occasions.”  Everyone immediately turned their heads, eager to see what “priceless” looked like.  But as Natalia lowered her head to search her bag, her expression suddenly turned pale.  “Ryan, my bracelet-it’s gone!

It was here just a moment ago!”  The room fell silent in an instant.  Ryan tensed.

“Maybe you left it somewhere.

Check again.”  Natalia looked utterly lost, her brows furrowed and tears threatening to fall.  “I’ve kept it in my bag all day.

How could it just disappear?”  Avery shrieked, “Natalia, that sapphire bracelet is so expensive!

There are so many people here-what if someone… wasn’t honest?”  The guests, hearing the accusation, immediately started defending themselves, anxious not to offend the Carter Family.  “We didn’t take anything.”  “Yes, Natalia, none of us even got close to you.

Maybe someone else stole it?”  Natalia bit her lip in thought, her expression faltering before trembling slightly, as if she’d realized something but was hesitant to say it.  Ryan frowned.

“What is it?

What do you know?”  “Earlier… my sister…” Natalia’s voice was soft, filled with hesitation and worry.

“She touched my bag, but I don’t think she would ever…”  Avery gasped dramatically.

“Selina touched your bag?

It must be her!”  Natalia shook her head weakly, putting on a pitiful act.  “No, Avery, don’t say that.

My sister has a kind heart.

She couldn’t possibly steal…”  Before she could finish her sentence, Avery stormed forward and grabbed Selina’s hand.  A dazzling sapphire bracelet gleamed on Selina’s wrist, quietly resting there for all to see.  Natalia looked as though she’d been struck, stumbling backward in shock, her face pale.  “Sister, how… how could it really be you?”  Everyone froze, stunned.

No one had expected the “thief” to be exposed so quickly.

And even more shocking-it was Natalia’s own sister!  Selina slowly curled her lips into a smirk, her expression unreadable.