Chapter 262: Shut Out at the Door Logan gave her a look full of meaning. "Iâm not looking to commit bigamy just yet."
Selinaâs eyes sparkled with mischief as she pulled Logan to the side, slipping into a spot just out of Jamesâs line of sight.
Outside, James and Katie were still basking in their imagined glory.
"Mr. Reid is marrying Angelica? How come weâve never heard of it?" someone asked, clearly surprised.
James waved a hand like it was no big deal. "Logan has a marriage arrangement with the Morris Family. Angelica is the Morris heiress. Itâs basically a done deal."
Selina scoffed quietly. He was already dropping Loganâs name like that? Playing the "father-in-law" card loud and proud.
Katie couldnât hide her excitement. "Angelica saved Mr. Reidâs life four years ago. Itâs fateâno one can deny it!"
Skeptical looks quickly turned into admiration.
"Mr. Clark, you really raised a good daughter! Even after returning to the Morris Family, Angelica still looks out for you. Once she becomes Mrs. Reid, just imagine what that means for Clark Group."
"So envious!"
"And it speaks volumes about you and Mrs. Clarkâs kindness. You didnât even know Angelica was the Morris heiress when you took her in, but you still raised her with love. Thatâs good karma paying off."
Katie was glowing from the praise.
After the plagiarism scandal had left her disgraced, not even Clark Group wanted her around. People had whispered behind her back, calling her a homewrecker trying to shift the blame onto the real heiress.
She hadnât dared show her face at the mall for weeks.
But now? Now she was the adoptive mother of the Morris heiress, and those same people were bending over backwards to kiss up to her.
She felt vindicated. "James, letâs go inside. Not just anyone gets into Celestial Feast. If it werenât for Angelicaâs connections, we wouldnât stand a chance!"
James, full of pride, turned to the group. "This restaurant is under Mr. Reidâs name. They only serve a few tables a dayâreservations usually need to be made a week in advance. But for us? No need."
The Clark Group shareholders and partners echoed their praise.
"Angelicaâs so thoughtful, even thinking of us old folks."
"Lead the way, Mr. Clark. Iâve always wanted to see what Mr. Reidâs restaurant is like."
Selina blinked slowly and gave Jack a subtle look.
Jack coughed lightly and gave a small nod.
Meanwhile, James led the group toward the entrance with the swagger of a man about to show off. But just as he reached the door, two guards stepped in front of him. "Sorry sir, Celestial Feast is closed to the public today."
James scoffed. "Step aside. You clearly donât know who I am. Youâll regret this."
The guard didnât budge. "Sir, youâre not permitted to enter."
With all eyes on him, Jamesâs smile slipped. "Do you not hear me? Get your manager. Now."
"Even if the manager comes," the guard said flatly, "he wonât let you in."
"Youâ!"
James turned red with anger. The embarrassment of being turned away in front of everyoneâwhen heâd just been braggingâwas unbearable.
"Do you know who I am? Iâm Mr. Reidâs future father-in-law! Youâre fired!"
Katie, equally humiliated, started yelling too. "My daughter is Angelicaâthe future Mrs. Reid! You dare keep us out?"
"Yeah! Angelica has a marriage agreement with Mr. Reid. Youâre making a big mistake!"
Still, the guards didnât move.
James, practically foaming at the mouth, snapped. He lunged forward, grabbing one of the guards by the collar. "I saidâmove, now! Let me tell you somethingâ!"
"Dad, Mrs. Bryant, youâre an old woman, still throwing tantrums. Arenât you embarrassed?"
Selina finally had enough. She leisurely stepped out from behind the pillar.
She raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with meaning. "Oh... Dad brought a friend? Too bad, todayâs Celestial Feast is closed to the public. Logan reserved the whole place."
Everyone turned to look at her. "Isnât that Selina?"
"Selina says Mr. Reid is here too? Didnât Mr. Clark say Mr. Reid was marrying Angelica? Why is he having a meal with Selina?"
"Selina, darling, Mr. Reid doesnât love you anymore. Why are you still chasing after him?"
Katie quickly shouted, trying to explain in a rush, "What you all donât know is that Selina and Mr. Reid have an arranged marriage. Theyâre actually talking about a divorce. Mr. Reid only has feelings for Angelica, he doesnât like her at all."
The crowd nodded, understanding now.
Under Katie and Jamesâs intentional spreading of the rumors, everyone at Clark Group thought Selina was a country bumpkin with no skills. What could Mr. Reid possibly see in a woman like her?
James stepped forward, impatiently lowering his voice. "Selina, let us in. Donât embarrass us!"
Selina blinked innocently. "But, Dad, I already told you, Logan reserved the place. I donât have authority to make decisions."
James was fed up with this daughter. "What use are you?! I donât care if you can make decisions or not, open the door!"
Selina sighed, her voice filled with meaning. "Dad, you already said itâIâm not favored. Since Iâm not, I can let anyone in, but Logan wonât allow it. If he gets upset, things will only get harder for me. Arenât you just setting me up to fail?"
James took it for granted. "What nonsense! Logan disliking you would be even better. Hurry up and divorce him, so Angelica can take your place!"
Hand over the position of Mrs. Reid to Angelica...
Selina crossed her arms, her tone bitter. "Why is Dad so biased?"
"Iâm the real daughter, but you want me to divorce and give my place to a stepdaughter. What sense does that make? A real father who doesnât want his daughter to be happy, but instead prioritizes a stepdaughter with no blood relation..."
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
ï¤Chapter 261: The Truth That Slipped Out Apocalypse: The Supporting Actress Made a Comeback ï¤Chapter 739 - 395 Bite back Shadow Slave ï¤Chapter 2468 Home Bitter Home Suddenly, Selinaâs gaze hardened, and she spoke firmly, "Unless... Iâm not your real daughter?"
James froze, a cold shiver running down his spine.
She knows? Does she know the secret?
No, noâif she knows, she has no proof.
Damn it! All thanks to Katie and Nataliaâthose troublemakers! They were told this couldnât be made public, but they still provoked Selina!
If she ruins Angelicaâs plans, heâll make them pay.
James was sweating profusely, and suddenly, he raised his hand. "What are you talking about? You are my daughter! I told you to let us in, canât you understand?!"
A slap was about to landâ
Smack!