Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Stirring Up Discord Chapter 98: Stirring Up Discord Avery’s expression brightened the moment she heard Natalia’s name.

“Mr.

Gray, you remember me?

We met at the Carter Family banquet last time.

Yes, I’m her cousin!

Selina insisted that you only know Natalia because of her, and I couldn’t stand hearing such nonsense-” “You think Selina was wrong?” Justin’s voice turned cold.

Avery hesitated for a moment.

“O-of course!

How could someone like her possibly know you?” Justin let out a sharp laugh.

“Miss Bryant, I just said that Selina is my distinguished guest.

Did you not understand?” Avery’s smile stiffened.

Of course, she had heard him loud and clear-she just didn’t want to believe it.

How could Selina-that nobody-possibly be Justin’s honored guest?

What right did she have?

Justin scoffed, “Since you seem to understand now, then I have to ask-on what grounds did you think Selina was unworthy of working with me?” Avery was stunned.

Justin was defending Selina?

Why?

Jealousy and frustration churned inside her.

“Because Natalia said-” Justin cut her off sharply.

“I returned to this country for the partnership that Ms.

Victoria proposed twenty years ago.

That partnership is being handled by Selina.” “You were there at the Carter Family banquet, Miss Bryant.

You heard it yourself.

Have you suddenly lost your memory?” “But if you forgot, let me remind you again-” Justin’s voice was calm but merciless.

“Natalia is nothing more than an illegitimate child, and yet she dares to flaunt this partnership as if it belongs to her?” The entire room fell silent.

So that was the truth!

It made perfect sense-the Gray Family’s partnership was originally with Victoria.

What did Natalia have to do with it?

Natalia had been running around, acting as if she was Justin’s close associate-what a joke!

Avery’s mind was in turmoil.

But that’s not what Natalia said!

Natalia had told her that Justin only cooperated with Clark Group out of respect for her.

She never mentioned Selina at all!

How could this be happening?!

“Looks like my dear sister lied to you.” Selina’s voice was light and unbothered.

“Oh, Avery, I almost feel bad for you.

Natalia spends all her time bragging in front of you-but it turns out she was bragging about something fake.” “And the worst part?

You believed her.

You marched up to me, thinking you could act superior, only to embarrass yourself.” “Honestly, if my dear sister hadn’t deceived you, you wouldn’t have offended Mr.

Gray like this.” Offended Mr.

Gray.

Avery’s face turned bright red.

She wanted to argue, but deep inside, a voice told her-Selina was right.

If Natalia hadn’t been so vain and made up all those lies to show off, Avery wouldn’t be humiliating herself right now.

It was all Natalia’s fault!

Panic rose in Avery’s chest.

Her voice was shaky, “Mr.

Gray, I-I didn’t know!

I really didn’t know!

Natalia lied to me!” Justin smirked coldly.

Avery was desperate.

She blurted out, “I just came here to buy a landscape painting!

Please don’t take offense-I swear, I had no idea… It’s all Natalia’s fault!” Selina’s eyes flashed-she had achieved exactly what she wanted.

But she decided to push a little further.

“Justin, forget it.

Avery didn’t do it on purpose.” Justin raised an eyebrow.

That didn’t sound like Selina at all.

And sure enough- Selina continued, her voice innocent and soft.

“But I do think you should ask Avery to leave.

She has sticky fingers.” Justin narrowed his eyes.

Selina sighed.

“Last time at the Carter Family banquet, she stole Natalia’s bracelet and planted it in my bag to frame me.” “The paintings here are priceless treasures.

If she steals something again, or worse-tries to frame someone else, what will we do?

No one here wants to deal with that kind of trouble.” The atmosphere in the room shifted.

Everyone’s gazes toward Avery turned suspicious.

“She stole Natalia’s bracelet… and tried to frame Clark’s eldest daughter?” “Mr.

Gray, this place holds rare and invaluable artwork-what if she pulls the same trick here?” “She walked in acting so high and mighty, but turns out, she’s just a thief crying thief!” Selina chuckled softly.

“Mr.

Gray, what do you think?” Justin met her gaze and immediately understood what she was up to.

“I was there that night as well.

Miss Bryant stole Natalia’s sapphire bracelet and framed Selina.

A person like that… is definitely not welcome at Evergreen Study.” The onlookers instantly believed him.

After all, it wasn’t just Selina accusing Avery-Justin confirmed it too.

Disgusted murmurs spread through the crowd as people instinctively distanced themselves from Avery, as if afraid of being tainted by association.

The judgmental stares burned into Avery’s skin.

She felt a surge of panic.

“Selina, what nonsense are you spouting?!

I didn’t frame you!

That wasn’t me at all-it was…” It was Natalia who despised Selina!

Everything was Natalia’s plan from the start!

Why should she take the fall for this?!

Selina lazily lifted her gaze.

“Not you?

But Natalia said it was you, Ryan said it was you, and you didn’t deny it at the time.” “So why is it only now that you’re claiming innocence?” “I-I only…” Avery stammered, her mind racing.

Because back then, her family still relied on Katie and Natalia-how could she dare offend them?

But now… Avery was furious.

“It wasn’t me!

You know the truth, Selina-you’re framing me!” “Miss Bryant, I think you’re mistaken.” Justin’s voice was calm, yet utterly dismissive.

“Even if someone was falsely accused, it has nothing to do with Selina.” “She’s the victim here.” “Instead of blaming her, maybe you should think about who actually put you in this position.” “Who was really the one who threw you under the bus?” “Regardless of whether you were framed or not, the Carter Family and the Clark Family have already decided you’re the thief.” Justin’s eyes turned icy cold.

“And I don’t entertain thieves at Evergreen Study.” “Escort her out.” The security guards swiftly moved in, forcing Avery toward the exit.

The disgusted whispers from the bystanders grew louder.

Avery’s hands clenched into fists.

Humiliation burned through her veins.

This was all Natalia’s fault.

Why was Natalia still standing high and mighty as the Clark Family’s beloved daughter… While she was being cast out like trash?!

For the first time, resentment toward Natalia sprouted in Avery’s heart.

Inside the study, Justin smirked, amusement flickering in his eyes.

“Luna, that was some impressive manipulation.” Selina blinked innocently.

“I told you not to call me Luna in public.

And besides-” She shrugged.

“How was that manipulation?

I merely told the truth.” “If Natalia and Avery end up turning on each other, that’s their problem, not mine.” Justin arched a brow.

“So you’re setting up the Clark and Bryant families to destroy each other?” “Avery may be an idiot, but after today, she might actually grow a brain.” Selina gave a casual wave.

“The Bryant Family?

Please.

They’re just Katie’s lackeys.

They don’t even deserve to be on the same level as the Clarks.” “But if Avery turns against Katie and Natalia…” Selina’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk.

“That could be quite entertaining.” After all, Avery had dirt on both of them.

And once her resentment fully festered, she would eventually bite back.

Justin nodded approvingly.

“Come on, I’ll get you Mr.

King’s painting.” Then, he added, “Oh, by the way-just a little reminder.” “Mr.

King’s paintings are highly sought after.

Even the Perry Family’s patriarch can’t easily get one.” His gaze sharpened.

“You might want to think about how you’re going to explain this to Logan.” How was Selina-just a so-called ‘ordinary’ woman-able to obtain one of Gordon King’s masterpieces?

Selina froze.

Justin barely suppressed a chuckle.

Her expression said it all.

Grinning wickedly, he delivered the final blow.

“Oh, and by the way-” “While you were busy making Avery speechless… I saw Logan.” “He was standing right outside.”