Chapter 240: Smearing Without Restraint The one holding the ruby was an elderly man in his late seventies or eighties. He wore a long tailcoat, and despite his age, there was still a sharpness in his eyes that couldnât be hidden.
Angelicaâs heart was pounding with excitement as she watched him approach step by step.
Katie couldnât hide her smugness.
"See, Selina? Even if itâs technically your birthday too, everyone only remembers Angelica."
All the guests turned to look. Angelica straightened up and put on her hostess smile.
"Sir, may Iâ"
The old man came to a stop at the center of the banquet hall.
He glanced around the room, voice calm but commanding.
"Iâm here to deliver a gift. May I confirmâthis is the Clark young ladyâs birthday banquet?"
If there had been any doubt before, it vanished now. That pigeonâs blood ruby broochâwas clearly a gift for Angelica!
Blushing, Angelica stepped forward eagerly.
"Yes! You can give it to me. Thank you so much for making the tripâ"
"Why would I give it to you?" the old man frowned, his tone suddenly sharp. "A gift of this value must be handed over personally to the real Miss Clark."
Angelica froze for a secondâmaybe he didnât know who she was?
But even that was thrillingâsomeone who didnât even know her was giving her such a priceless gift? She must be irresistible!
"I am Miss Clark. You can give it to me."
She was already imagining putting on the brooch, basking in the envy of everyone watching.
But just as she stepped forward, the old man took a step back.
"Youâre Miss Clark? Pleaseâat least try to lie convincingly."
Angelica and Katie both froze.
Before they could react, the old manâs eyes suddenly lit up as he spotted someone. He walked forward quicklyâ
"Selina, there you are. This is for you. Please accept it."
...
The entire room was stunned.
WaitâWHAT?
This elderly gentleman was giving the pigeonâs blood ruby to Selina?
When he said "Miss Clark," he wasnât talking about Angelica... but Selina?!
There had to be a mistake!
Selina blinked. Wasnât this Grandma Perryâs personal butler?
How did the old lady know it was her birthday? Or... was this another move from Logan?
"Thank you," she said calmly.
The old butler nodded warmly. "Put it on."
Katie was about to explode.
Just minutes ago, she had mocked Selina, flaunting the fact that no one remembered her birthday. And now? Reality had just slapped her hard across the face.
But how was this even possible? With Angelica right there, who would give Selina a gift?
Unless...
Katieâs expression twisted as a thought hit her, and her voice turned mocking.
"Selina, when did you start cozying up to some old man again? Listen to meâeven if older men have money, the age gapâs too big. Youâll never be happy."
Angelica caught on instantly. Biting her lip, she added sweetly, "Selina, if you really want a pigeonâs blood ruby, the family can buy one for you. You donât have to sell yourself to someone old enough to be your grandfather!"
Gasps echoed around the room.
"Thatâs Selinaâs sugar daddy?!"
"Sheâs okay with someone that old?!"
"Alright, alright," Angelica said with mock concern. She put on a pitiful face.
"Even if Selinaâs man is a little older, he clearly spoils her. He even came to personally deliver a gift."
Katie chimed in loudly, "Thatâs true. Selinaâs very skilled when it comes to men. No matter the type, sheâs got them wrapped around her little finger. I admire her, honestly."
The guests exchanged glancesâfaces filled with awkward disgust.
"Selina is truly shameless. Showing off her sugar daddy like this? Youâd think she wants everyone to know sheâs someoneâs mistress."
"Todayâs supposed to be Angelicaâs big day, and sheâs stealing the spotlight? Now she just looks patheticâexposed in front of everyone for hooking up with some old man. What a joke."
James, feeling utterly embarrassed, scolded, "Selina, I donât care what kind of man youâre withâbut since youâre already here, get inside and stop standing around out here making a scene."
As he spoke, he reached out to drag the elderly butler away.
"Watch your manners!"
James didnât manage to move him an inchâinstead, he was met with a booming reprimand. His entire body jolted, and when he looked up and met the butlerâs sharp gaze, he shivered.
"Y-You..."
The old manâs cold, commanding eyes swept over the crowd. Instinctively, everyone went quiet.
Only then did he slowly offer a smile.
"Young Madam, the Old Madam wishes you happinessâevery day."
Someone in the crowd gasped, "Young Madam? Selinaâs married?!"
"Wait, heâs not her husband? Then who is?"
Katieâs heart sank.
The only people who would call Selina âYoung Madamâ... were from the Perry Family.
Angelicaâs friend blurted out, unwilling to accept it: "Selina, what did he just call you? Young Madam? Are you two putting on a show or something?"
Angelica bit her lip.
"Selina, if you and this gentleman are truly in love, thatâs your choice. You donât have to lie to everyone about it..."
Selinaâs lips curved into a faint smile. Her gaze swept slowly across the room before settling on Angelica.
"Angelica... you really donât recognize him?"
Angelica forced a chuckle.
"Selina, you must be joking. Why would I know your manâ"
"Heâs Grandma Perryâs butler."
Selinaâs voice was calm, almost casual.
"And tell me, Angelica... whatâs the relationship between Grandma Perry and Logan?"
Angelicaâs expression changed instantly.
Grandma Perry was Loganâs grandmotherâhis maternal grandmother.
So if this man called Selina Young Madam...
No. Absolutely not.
Angelicaâs mind raced. If she admitted this man was someone significant, Selina would surely reveal his identityâand then her connection to Logan would be fully exposed.
If she wanted to become Mrs. Reid, she couldnât let something like this ruin her plan.
She and Katie exchanged a glance before forcing a polite smile.
"Oh... I see. Seems I misunderstood. Well, a guest is a guest. Butler sir, please come in and rest."
The guests exchanged confused looks.
Heâs really just a butler? Then what exactly is his connection to Selina?
But since Angelica, the host, wasnât making a fuss, no one else had grounds to press the matter.
After the butler left, Katie leaned in close and whispered, panicked:
"Whatâs going on?! Why would the Perry Family send someone to celebrate Selinaâs birthday? Mr. Reid clearlyâ"
"Mom, calm down. Grandma Perry probably doesnât know Loganâs planning to file for divorce yet."
Angelica quickly regained her composure.
"To Grandma Perry, Selinaâs still her granddaughter-in-law, so of course sheâd send a gift. It doesnât matter."
Then she smirked confidently.
"As long as Loganâs heart is with me, nothing else matters."
Just then, a maid rushed in, nearly breathless with excitement.
"Maâam, Miss Angelicaâoutside... outside..."
She swallowed hard.
"So many people just arrived! Young Master Luke, Mr. Drake... theyâre all here!"
Angelicaâs eyes lit up. She immediately headed toward the entrance.
As she walked, she overheard someone gasp, "Lukeâs giftâdid you see it? That little crownâs worth over a billion!"
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
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