Chapter 20: Trapped in the Stepmotherâs Scheme A business marriage? Jamesâs eyes lit up.
But he quickly hesitated. "She just got out of an engagement. Who would want her now...?"
Natalia lowered her head and said softly, "Dad, do you remember Mr. Perez from the Perez Group? Ever since he saw my sister at the banquet last time, he hasnât been able to forget her. He doesnât care that she just ended her engagement."
Katie chimed in eagerly, "Exactly, James! Perez Group is much larger than us. If Mr. Perez is willing to help, the Clark Group wonât have to worry about surviving this crisis. Besides, Mr. Perez is worth billionsâSelina marrying him wouldnât be a bad match."
Hope flickered in Jamesâs eyes. "Youâre right. Mr. Perez is a man of great status. If Selina, with her ruined reputation, can still marry into a wealthy family like his, we wouldnât be mistreating her!"
"But that ungrateful girl is so disobedient. If we ask her to meet Mr. Perez, sheâll definitely refuse."
Nataliaâs eyes flashed, and she said gently, "Dad, why not invite Mr. Perez to your 50th birthday celebration? That way, she can meet him there."
One week later.
Selina hadnât seen Logan in seven days. She thought back to the kiss that almost happened that day and clicked her tongue.
Was Logan so embarrassed that he hadnât come home in a week?
Just then, a news report caught her eye.
A week ago, the Drake Group terminated their partnership with the Clark Group, dealing a massive blow to the company, leaving it struggling.
Yet now, just a week later, the Clark Group had secured investment from the Perez Group?!
Selina narrowed her eyes. Something didnât feel rightâ
Her phone suddenly buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, and a text popped up.
Katie: Selina, tomorrow is your fatherâs 50th birthday. You must come! Oh, and your mom left a box with James. He said heâll give it to you when you arrive.
Selina scoffed. A 50th birthday? Inviting her? This was clearly a trap.
But the box her mother left...
Even if it was a trap, sheâd have to walk into it.
She informed the butler, Mr. Miller, that she would be going out the next evening. Mr. Miller nodded and reported it to Logan.
Logan paused for a moment. "Jamesâs birthday banquet..."
James had also invited him, but Logan typically didnât bother with such events.
Now, however, he suddenly felt interested.
The next evening â Reid Group Hotel banquet hall.
The 50th birthday celebration of James, the chairman of the Clark Group, was in full swing. The banquet hall buzzed with activity as prominent figures exchanged toasts and pleasantries.
James, accompanied by Natalia, mingled with the guests, earning constant praise.
"Mr. Clark, not only are you a successful businessman, but youâve also raised such a wonderful daughter!"
James feigned modesty. "Not at all. Natalia still has a lot to improve on and can learn from everyone here. Natalia, go greet your uncles and mentors."
Natalia, gracefully holding a glass of wine, took Ryanâs arm and elegantly walked into the crowd.
"Natalia and Mr. Carter look like such a perfect match," someone remarked.
"Exactly. No wonder Mr. Carter called off his engagement for her. Selina just isnât presentable."
Selina arrived just in time to hear that comment, and her eyebrows raised slightly.
Her entrance plunged the banquet hall into awkward silence. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
"Look at her outfitâwhat is she wearing? She didnât even wear a gown to her fatherâs 50th birthday celebration?"
"Ugh, so embarrassing!"
Katie, listening smugly to the crowdâs insults toward Selina, finally stepped forward, pretending to be the kind stepmother.
"Selina, come over here. James has been waiting for you!"
Selina narrowed her eyes. "Whereâs my motherâs belongings?"
"Oh, donât be so hasty. Have a drink first," Katie replied with a smile.
Katie dragged Selina to a quiet corner where James was chatting with a man in his fifties or sixties. As soon as James saw Selina, his eyes lit up.
"Mr. Perez, this is my eldest daughter!"
Selina frowned. Mr. Perez? The chairman of the Perez Group?
Something flickered in her mind, but before she could piece it together, Katie spoke up with a fawning smile.
"Selina, why are you standing there? Hurry and have a drink with Mr. Perez."
Selina glanced at Mr. Perezâs lecherous expression and sneered, "Why not let your own daughter have a drink with him?"
Katie sighed dramatically. "Because Mr. Perez is interested in you. Natalia doesnât have this kind of luck. Selina, donât be ungrateful. Mr. Perez is more than worthy of you. He doesnât mind that you just ended your engagement and even offered a 50-million-dollar bride price to marry you. Itâs your honor!"
And just like that, the strange feeling in Selinaâs mind crystallized.
Perez Groupâs 50-million-dollar investment in Clark Group wasnât about businessâit was her "good" father selling her off!
Mr. Perez ogled her shamelessly, his eyes filled with lust. "Miss Clark, wonât you even have a drink with me? Isnât that a bit rude?"
Selina knew there had to be something in the drink. Her face darkened.
"For someone your age, Dad, you havenât learned much, but youâve mastered selling your daughter. Sorry, Iâm not interested!"
She turned to leave, but after only two steps, her head spun, and her legs buckled. "You... you..."
"Selina, this is for your own good. Without a little help, youâd never learn to behave," Katie sighed. "Mr. Perez, sheâs all yours. Take her to the guest room to rest."
Selinaâs mind grew hazy, her body refusing to listen as Mr. Perez pushed her forward. She was too weak to resist.
In the crowd, Ryan noticed the scene and frowned. "Whatâs going on?"
He knew Mr. Perezâs reputation and how he loved to force himself on women. If something happened to Selina...
Before he could act, Natalia shook her head and sighed. "Ryan, donât worry about it. Selina and Mr. Perez are together now. Even the family canât control her."
Ryanâs face darkened. Heâd thought Selina was in trouble, but it turned out she was just degrading herself.
They were going upstairs togetherâanyone could guess what would happen next. The thought of Selina being so eager to throw herself at someone as repulsive as Mr. Perez made him feel sick.
With a thud, Selina was thrown onto the bed.
Her head swam, her chest felt like it was crawling with antsâpainful and itchy at the same time.
Mr. Perez licked his lips. "Miss Clark, stop resisting. This is the latest formulaâcolorless, odorless, and absorbed through the skin. The drug is already working. Without a man, youâll die."
Selina realized with a start that the drug had been applied to her skin, not in the drink.
No wonder Katie had been so confident.
Her strength was draining fast. If Mr. Perez tried anything, she wouldnât be able to fight him off.
No... Selina forced herself to stay calm. She fumbled in her bag and pulled out a small knife. She wouldnât go down without a fight!
"Stop acting like some virtuous prude," Mr. Perez sneered. "Your father told me youâve been with plenty of men. Iâm the only one kind enough to marry you. You should be thanking me!"
He laughed creepily, inching closer. His hands were almost on her face.
"You may look unwilling now, but once the drug fully kicks in, youâll be begging me..."
BANG!
Before he could finish, the door slammed open with a deafening crash.
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
ï¤Chapter 19: The Stepmotherâs Scheme Apocalypse: The Supporting Actress Made a Comeback ï¤Chapter 739 - 395 Bite back Shadow Slave ï¤Chapter 2468 Home Bitter Home In the blink of an eye, Mr. Perez was grabbed and hurled out of the room. He hit the floor with a loud thud and didnât even have time to scream before he knelt down in terror.
"Miss Clark." A sharp, commanding voice echoed through the room.
Selina, her mind fogged by the drug, heard someone call her name. The voice sounded familiarâlike... Logan?
Loganâs brows furrowed as he ordered Jack to drag Mr. Perez away. He poured Selina a glass of water and crouched beside her. "How are you feeling... Selina?"
Selinaâs hand brushed against Loganâs, her eyes lighting up. Without even realizing what she was doing, she threw herself into his arms.
Loganâs Adamâs apple bobbed, and his mind buzzed.
The drug coursing through her system was clearly taking full effect.