Chapter 268: Arrogance Riley was convinced Logan couldnât possibly care that much about Selinaâafter all, Selina was picking out their wedding rings on her own.
She also threw in a not-so-subtle jab about Selinaâs low status in high society, implying that she only knew low-tier nobodies and clearly wasnât on Loganâs level.
Pretending to help, Rileyâs real goal was to belittle her.
Selina tucked her hair behind her ear. "Miss Nelson, are you worried I wonât be able to find a designer for my wedding ring?"
Riley sighed dramatically. "Exactly. All the socialites have their personal designers. Selina, youâre Mrs. Reid nowâyou canât be careless about something as important as a wedding ring. If you just pick out any random pair, people will talk."
"I figured you might not understand how things work or know where to look, so I wanted to help."
Selinaâs eyes shifted thoughtfully. "Oh? And who do you think is suitable, Miss Nelson?"
Riley paused, clearly setting something up. "Are you free right now? Why donât we meet up? I know a designer whoâs available. Heâs not quite on Rowan or Starâs level, of courseâbut heâs the only one willing to meet with you. What do you say?"
Selina instantly saw through her. But when someone walked straight into a slap, Selina had no problem delivering it.
Her voice was cool. "Sure. Where should we meet?"
"A café. Iâll send you the address."
...
Selina took the ten design drafts, walked downstairs, and was just about to leave when Logan spoke.
"Mrs. Reid, heading out?"
Selina paused. "Miss Nelson said she found me a designer to work on our rings. Of course I have to check it out."
Logan narrowed his eyes slightly, just about to speakâ
Selina added, tone dripping with sarcasm, "I mean, Iâm not from a fancy background. Iâve barely seen the world. I obviously have no taste, canât find any decent designers. Miss Nelson just doesnât want me to embarrass myselfâhow sweet of her."
Logan: "..."
Selina waved her hand. "Anyway, Iâm off."
Logan watched her go, then turned to Jack. "Go with her. Donât let her get bullied."
...
Selina arrived quickly at the café.
A server brought her to a semi-private room with a great view.
Riley was already there, beaming. "Selina, that was quick! Come in, have a seat. The designer will be here shortly."
Then she turned to the waiter and rattled off a few Country F language. "Bring Miss Clark a coffee."
Selina raised an eyebrow at those Country F words.
When the coffee arrived, Riley chirped, "This is a Country F brandâsuper rare and pricey, not easy to find. You probably havenât tried it before. Give it a taste. If you donât like it, I can have them bring you something more... local."
Selina: "..."
Warm tone, but every word was a jab.
High-end foreign brand? A jab at her "unrefined" background.
Speaking in a foreign language? Clearly hoping Selina wouldnât understand.
Selina calmly took a sip. "Rich. Smooth." She repeated the exact Country F words Riley had usedâand then smoothly translated them into Country M language. Then, with a note of polite confusion, added, "This brand is actually everywhere in Country F. Itâs mid-tier. Not exactly rare or expensive. Perhaps you were mistaken, Miss Nelson?"
Rileyâs smile faltered.
Selina set the cup down. "Not really my taste. I prefer domestic coffee, honestly. Miss Nelson, youâve been overseas so long, maybe you havenât realized how far our local brands have come. Want me to recommend a few for you?"
Riley nearly crushed her cup in frustration.
No wonder Bella said Selina was a dangerous player.
Just a few lines in, and sheâd already taken the lead.
Rileyâs smile stiffened for half a second. "Thanks, Selina... but that wonât be necessary."
"All right then." Selina nodded, then added with feigned curiosity, "So, when is the designer supposed to arrive? Miss Nelson, you scheduled this for eight, and itâs already past. Isnât it a little rude to be this late?"
Riley sighed, clearly trying to stay composed. "Heâs a well-known name in the industry, very reputable. Itâs just a bit of tardiness, no need to be harsh."
ÆrÄewebnovel.com Then she said casually, "Surely youâve heard of the designer Mateo Bryant?"
Selina propped her chin in her hand and blinked innocently. "Sorry, no. Is he supposed to be famous?"
"Youâ" Riley looked like she was choking on her words. After a moment, she shook her head and forced a smile. "Youâve never heard of Mr. Mateo Bryant? He designed last seasonâs most coveted âIce Blue Diamondâ ringâevery debutante wanted it."
Selina gave her a half-smile.
Sheâd been making waves in the design world under the name "Star," and not once had anyone told her this Mateo Bryant was someone she had to know. If anything, Rileyâs tone sounded less like a helpful friend and more like subtle psychological warfareâclassic manipulation.
The kind that constantly implies:
"You donât understand high society."
"You donât know the right people."
"Youâre unrefined."
"You donât have the background. But I do."
Selina wasnât the type to let a few backhanded comments get under her skinâbut that didnât mean she enjoyed Rileyâs self-righteous attitude.
"Good thing I found a designer for you," Riley said sweetly. "Otherwise, with how clueless you are, what if someone tried to scam you?"
She added with a faux-concerned frown, "Wanting a custom design is great, but you should at least do some research first. If you donât even know Mateo, itâs a bit embarrassing. Sure, people might hold their tongues out of respect for Mr. Reid, but behind your back... the whispers wonât be kind."
Selina asked lightly, "Is this your way of showing concern, Miss Nelson?"
"Of course," Riley replied, as if offended by the idea it could be anything else. "Youâre inexperienced, and in this circle, connections matter more than anything. If I can help you, I will."
Selina smiled. "But wonât that be trouble for you? I mean, todayâs designer is only willing to see me because of your connections. That mustâve cost you a favor. Iâd feel guilty. Maybe I should just forget it."
Riley nearly choked.
Maintaining her strained smile, she replied, "Itâs no trouble at all, Selina. Weâre practically sisters. No need to overthink it. Iâve got the connectionsâ
Mateoâs happy to help. But you? Youâd never find someone of his caliber on your own."
Selina nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm. Thatâs true. All right, letâs wait for Mr. Mateoâ"
"I overheard everything Miss Clark said just now."
A sharp, arrogant male voice cut through the room.
Selina turned to look and raised an eyebrow.
At the doorway stood a man with a sharp, condescending face, his expression screaming entitlement. He looked like the type who thought the world owed him millionsâand his tone was no better.
"You donât even know who I am, and you still had the nerve to think Iâd design for you? My work is exclusive. You think flashing a few bucks is enough to get me? Sorry to disappoint youâthis project is canceled. Iâm not designing for a woman who insulted me!"
Selina narrowed her eyes. So this overinflated ego was the legendary designer Mateo?
Rileyâs face paled. She bit her lip and turned toward Selina, her tone pleading. "Mr. Bryant is upset... Selina, could you apologize? Please?"
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
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