Chapter 256: Like a Parasite The air fell still. Loganâs face remained cold. "A childhood engagement?"
Kyle looked smug, as if he had the upper hand. "It was arranged between Grandma Perry and my mother. If you donât believe it, Mr. Reid, you can go and ask Grandma Perry in person."
People nearby perked up their ears.
The identity of Mr. Morrisâs mother had always been a mystery. But if he was confidently bringing up a marriage arrangement involving Grandma Perry and his mother, it had to be trueâotherwise, one question would expose him.
"Mr. Reid has a fiancée? Thatâs gotta be awkward for Selina..."
"So whatâs Mr. Reid going to do? The Morris Family wonât just let this slide. And backing out of an engagement like that doesnât look good."
Selina narrowed her eyes. Grandma Perry knew about this engagement? Sheâd never mentioned it.
Loganâs expression didnât change. Not a flicker of emotion. "If thatâs the caseâJack, see if my grandmother is free to talk right now."
Jack immediately understood. "Yes, sir. Strange how the old lady never once mentioned a word about this. Now suddenly thereâs a marriage contract? Sounds like someoneâs trying to stir the pot. Iâll call her and clear it up."
"You!" Kyle looked insulted. "You donât believe me?"
Logan didnât flinch. Selina, unfazed, ran her fingers through her hair. "Why should we take your word for it? Something as serious as a marriage agreement deserves real proof. Mr. Morris, why so anxious? Feeling guilty?"
"You donât get to talkâ" Kyle snapped, shouting before he could stop himselfâonly to be cut off by a calm voice behind him.
"Kyle, no need to get worked up. Mr. Reid has every reason to be skeptical."
Joe approached, holding a glass of red wine, the picture of elegance. His gaze briefly landed on Selina, a slight crease in his brow, before settling on Logan.
"Mr. Reid, our families have exchanged many tokens over the years. You know the truth of this engagement. But for the sake of Miss Selinaâs dignity, letâs set the subject aside for now."
Selina raised an eyebrow. Kyle was hotheaded, but this Morris patriarch wasnât easy to handle either.
"For the sake of her dignity?"
It sounded politeâbut it was really a carefully worded reminder to everyone present: the engagement was real. Selina was the one who âstoleâ it. And look how gracious the Morris Family was being about it.
Logan, of course, understood the implication. His eyes darkened. "Seems like you and I donât have much to talk about, Chairman Morris. Selina, letâs go."
Joe hesitated, then forced a smile. "Young people. I get it. Alright, everyoneâno need for tension. The exhibitionâs about to begin."
Logan was already walking Selina inside.
Kyle gritted his teeth. "What the hell is Loganâs problem? The engagement isâ"
"Donât be mad at him, brother," Angelica said softly, as if torn. "Loganâs a man with a strong sense of responsibility. Right now, Selina is his wifeâheâs just trying to protect her. He didnât mean to disrespect the Morris Family."
Joe sighed. "Seems that Miss Clark knows how to play the game."
Angelica spoke in an almost apologetic tone. "Selinaâs always been popular with men. Back then, every guy in the house only had eyes for her. I was just the adopted daughterâof course she looked down on me. But itâs okay. Iâm used to it."
Kyleâs face darkened. "Hmph. She reeks of trouble. Angelica, donât worry, I will help you get back all the grievances youâve suffered!"
Although Joe didnât say anything, his mood had clearly soured.
Back in his twenties, he and Victoria had been deeply in loveâuntil she suddenly vanished.
It had taken him over twenty years to find Victoriaâs child. How could he possibly stand by and watch her get humiliated?
"If Victoria were still alive..." Joe trailed off, his voice heavy. "Angelica, after the event ends, come with me to pay respects at your motherâs grave."
Angelica quickly masked the flicker of darkness in her eyes. "Of course, Dad. I miss Mom too."
...
Jack soon returned with a call update. His expression was less than ideal.
"Sir, I spoke with the madam."
"What did Grandma say?" Logan asked calmly.
Jack hesitated for a beat. "She said... she doesnât remember."
"She doesnât remember?" Logan frowned.
"Yes. She said she vaguely recalls the Morris Family, but couldnât say for sure if she arranged any engagement. She does have a few antiques at home that donât belong to herâshe thinks they might have come from the Morris Family."
Selina paused in thought. Grandma Perry had been in and out of the hospital for years. With her age and health, it made sense her memory might fail her.
But... didnât that make the existence of the engagement even more plausible?
"Logan, what did you come to the showcase for today?"
His tone was even. "To see what the so-called Morris Family heirloom looks like."
Right then, the exhibition began.
Everyone had brought a piece of their collection, but the center of attention was undeniably the Morris Family.
"I heard Angelicaâs going to present a seventeenth-century pieceâThe Mercy Petal Lamp. Itâs worth a fortune and was gifted to her personally by the Morris Family."
"Well, she is the long-lost daughter of the Morris Family. Chairman Morris is probably trying to make up for lost time."
"Yeah. He and his wife were deeply in love. Sheâs been gone twenty years, but heâs never moved on. Seeing Angelica must remind him of her..."
Selina found herself curious about this mysterious Morris wife.
What kind of woman could leave such a lasting mark on a man like Joe Morris? Even the arrogant Kyle seemed to revere his motherâs memory.
"Look, itâs Miss Clark!"
"And thatâs the Mercy Petal Lamp, right? Seventeenth century!"
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
ï¤Chapter 255: Public Display of Affection Apocalypse: The Supporting Actress Made a Comeback ï¤Chapter 739 - 395 Bite back Shadow Slave ï¤Chapter 2468 Home Bitter Home "Morris Family really went all out!"
At the mention, Logan lifted his gaze.
It was clearly a rare and valuable artifact.
Angelica glanced around, catching the admiration and awe in everyoneâs eyes. She stood at the center of it all like a deityâworshiped, envied, adored.
And all of it was a lie.
All she had done was steal Selinaâs placeâpretending to be Victoriaâs daughter. And for that, the Morris Family had handed her The Mercy Petal Lamp without question.
This was only the beginning. Soon, she would have it all: fortune, status, even the engagement...
She couldnât hold back the smile that tugged at her lips. "This is the antique I brought to share today. I hope everyone enjoys it."
The Mercy Petal Lamp was carefully placed in a glass display case. Guests flocked to admire it.
Selina lifted her gaze for just a glanceâand instantly narrowed her eyes.