Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 605

Capítulo 605: Got Snatched?

Logan’s eyes glimmered with amusement. “Who is it?”

Selina answered honestly. “The grandfather who adopted me… and Uncle Gordon also taught me a little.”

Logan gave a knowing nod. “But I’d imagine your grandfather wouldn’t stop you from taking on another teacher.”

That much was true.

Still, Selina genuinely felt that even if she formally apprenticed under someone, it wouldn’t do her much good.

Before she could say anything, Logan suddenly added, “Since you’re so interested in oil painting, why don’t I introduce you to a friend of mine?”

Selina tilted her head, intrigued. “What friend?”

“Mr. Brandon,” Logan replied evenly.

Selina froze, startled. “You know him?”

Mr. Brandon was the most renowned yet mysterious painter in the country. His works were coveted both domestically and abroad, often fetching astronomical prices. Everyone, without exception, praised his genius.

But he was so reclusive—despite his fame, no one had ever seen him. Not even Selina knew what he looked like.

Yet Logan knew him?

Logan’s lips curved into a quiet smile. “Mm.”

Selina’s eyes lit up with excitement, but after a moment’s hesitation, she shook her head. “Forget it. I’d rather not disturb him.”

That actually surprised Logan. He had clearly seen the spark of delight in her gaze just a moment ago. “Why not?”

Selina’s voice was sincere. “He’s older now. If he values you as a friend, then of course he’d respect the people you introduce to him. But I’m just a junior, while he’s a senior I truly admire. I don’t want to trouble him unnecessarily.”

Logan: “…”

After a long pause, Logan finally frowned, his voice low. “…Older?”

Selina’s eyes shone brightly. “Yes! Mr. Brandon is a mentor I deeply admire. These past years, he’s never made a public appearance, never attended events, not even held an exhibition. I figured it must be because of his age—that he’s no longer mobile. So really, let’s not burden him.”

For once, Logan found himself speechless.

…

Two days later, Ava’s apprenticeship banquet took place as planned.

Selina received a phone call. “Changed venues? Alright, I understand.”

After hanging up, she turned to Logan. “Today is Auntie Brown’s birthday. The Brown Family is holding a private dinner at the NF Restaurant. Auntie… well, she told me to bring you along.”

The Browns truly treated Selina like their own. There was no way she’d miss Mrs. Brown’s birthday celebration.

Logan nodded. “That call just now—was it from Mrs. Brown? What’s this about changing venues?”

Selina explained matter-of-factly. “The NF Restaurant was partly funded by an investment I made five years ago. Technically, that makes me a shareholder. Since it’s Auntie’s birthday, I naturally reserved the best private room for her. But she said the A-room was taken by force.”

“She said she didn’t want to cause a scene on her birthday, so she let it go and moved to the B-room. She just reminded me not to walk into the wrong one.”

Logan narrowed his eyes. “The NF Restaurant’s private room, taken by force?”

Although NF had only been open for five years, it was already one of the most sought-after restaurants in City N. Tables were impossible to get without early reservations, and Selina had definitely secured the best room in advance for Mrs. Brown.

And someone dared to seize it?

Selina’s tone was unhurried. “Auntie probably didn’t want to stir up trouble. After all, anyone bold enough to snatch a room reserved under the Brown Family’s name must have powerful connections. If things escalated, it could reflect badly on me. But honestly? I couldn’t care less.”

She wanted to see exactly who had the audacity to steal that private room.

As soon as Selina stepped into the NF Restaurant, her brows arched slightly. “So many people?”

Mrs. Brown usually kept things low-key. On her birthday, she would never invite a crowd—only close family and friends.

The manager spotted Selina and hurried forward. “Boss, you’re here!”

It was true—she was the owner of this place. Still, whenever someone called her that, Selina couldn’t help but feel a twinge of secondhand embarrassment. “Why so many guests today?”

“Yes, Boss. A guest booked the A-room to host an apprenticeship banquet. The teacher being honored seems to be highly respected and well-connected, so many people came.”

Selina was just about to ask who had authorized giving up the A-room when the words apprenticeship banquet hit her ears. Her brows lifted slightly, and suddenly, it all clicked.

The manager, unaware of the situation, asked cautiously, “Boss, what’s wrong?”

Selina’s lips curved into a faint, ironic smile. “Show me the order.”

The manager stiffened, finally realizing something was off. “Boss… is there a problem with the A-room?”

“There is.”

Selina’s tone was unhurried. “The Brown Family paid a deposit to reserve the A-room. Check the books carefully. Find out which one of your people took the money but played both sides.”

The manager’s expression hardened.

He knew all about the Brown Family—Mrs. Brown’s birthday banquet was indeed booked for the B-room today.

But the Boss was saying… the Browns had already paid for the A-room. Which meant someone on staff had pocketed their money and double-booked it—then handed the A-room over to the Hills!

Before the manager could respond, Selina’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. It wasn’t in her contacts, but she remembered—it was June’s number.

With a cold smirk, she answered.

To her surprise, it wasn’t June’s voice that came through, but Hannah’s.

“Selina, did you get the invitation? Our banquet is in the A-room. Everyone’s waiting for you, so hurry over.”

Hannah let out a light laugh. “Today is Ava’s big day. As her sister, Ava really hopes you’ll come.”

Selina scoffed, hung up without a word, and promptly blocked the number.

She checked the time, planning to wait for Mrs. Brown—after all, it was her birthday, and Selina wanted to greet her in person.

But instead of Mrs. Brown, a saccharine voice came from behind her.

“Selina, I didn’t expect you’d already be here.”

Selina looked up. There stood Hannah and Ava, surrounded by a flock of socialites fawning over them.

At Hannah’s side was a middle-aged man with a sharp, cutting gaze. One look and Selina knew—this was none other than Samuel, the famous oil painter.

The expressions on Ava’s group shifted with delicious complexity when they saw Selina.

June couldn’t hold back, her voice sharp. “What are you doing here? We called and politely invited you, and you just hung up! How do you have the nerve to show up now?”

So much for Selina’s arrogance. In the end, wasn’t she here too, desperate for connections, hoping to cozy up to Master Samuel?

“Mom, don’t get upset. Let me talk to Sister Selina for a moment.”

Ava’s eyes flickered slyly as she put on a mask of gentle grace, walking toward Selina with the perfect air of propriety.