Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'-Chapter 357: Didn’t Know a Gem When You Saw One

"Miss Angelica is not only of noble birth, but even caught the attention of Young Master Foster. No wonder everyone in the Reid Family adores you so much."

Angelica had heard of Aiden’s name, and though she didn’t know why he came, it didn’t matter—people always liked her. Aiden must too.

"You’re all too kind. Alright, please, come in—"

"Wow, Angelica, you must really have some pull—how did you manage to get Young Master Foster here?" Selina asked with a smile.

Angelica’s expression stiffened. "Oh, yes, Selina. Right, you probably don’t even know who Young Master Foster is, do you?"

"Nope, I really don’t," Selina said cheerfully. "You’ll have to introduce me later."

Angelica nearly cracked a molar from clenching her teeth. Shameless!

She quickly put on a sweet face. "Selina, you’re finally here? Most of the guests have already arrived. You’re part of the family—shouldn’t you be here greeting them?"

"Why should Selina greet anyone?" Logan cut in flatly. "We’re heading inside."

Seeing Angelica’s face turn even paler, Selina added with a smirk, "Exactly. Mrs. Perry and Old Mrs. Reid are inside already. Only the maids are out here greeting guests. And you’re pregnant, Angelica. You should go in and rest."

With that, Selina looped her arm through Logan’s and walked off gracefully.

Everyone around them fell into an awkward silence.

...What Selina said actually made sense?

In big families, it really was rare for a lady of the house to stand at the door receiving guests. And yet here Angelica was...

Inside, Selina scanned the room and spotted Aiden in a corner.

Their eyes met briefly before she quickly looked away.

"Is Mrs. Reid interested in Young Master Foster?" Logan asked with an amused look.

Selina blinked. "Who isn’t?"

Logan didn’t reply, but he had noticed something odd—Aiden’s eyes held a strange familiarity, not just with Selina... but with him too.

They’d never met before. Why did Aiden look at them like that?

Before Logan could think further, the birthday banquet began.

Grandpa Reid stepped onto the stage to deliver a short speech, thanking the guests. Everyone took their seats, the atmosphere festive, though tension simmered beneath the surface.

At the head table, Grandpa Reid sat down and sighed. "Ah, I’m getting old. The future of this family will be in your hands soon."

"Owen and Luke are grown now, more than capable. And now, with Angelica—our lucky star—the Reid Family is sure to thrive."

He took a sip of wine and added, "By the way, Angelica, that jade piece you gave me is lovely. I’ll have someone carve it into a bracelet for you."

"Grandpa Reid, it was a birthday gift for you—I couldn’t possibly take it back," Angelica replied sweetly.

Selina had a feeling that was aimed at her.

Sure enough, Amelia jumped in. "It’s just a token of your Grandpa Reid’s appreciation. Don’t refuse it. He’s received so many gifts today—one more or less won’t matter. Butler, go check the gift inventory."

Not long after, the butler returned looking grim. "Madam, there’s a problem. I reviewed the gift list, but I couldn’t find anything from Young Master Logan or Miss Selina. It may have been stolen."

"What?! Who would dare steal from the Reid Family?!" Amelia shouted. "Find out immediately!"

Owen’s eyes lit up with mischief. "Mom, what if Logan and Selina never sent one to begin with?"

Amelia gasped. "That’s impossible. Logan knows what today means. He wouldn’t show up without a gift."

Angelica chimed in with a gentle shake of her head. "Logan isn’t that kind of person. I’m sure they sent one—it must’ve just gone missing. Let’s keep looking."

A few minutes later, the butler returned.

"Madam, I’ve checked the surveillance footage. It’s confirmed—Young Master Logan and Miss Selina didn’t bring a gift."

The guests all exchanged looks.

What was going on?

No matter how awkward the situation, how could a grandson show up to his grandfather’s birthday without a gift?

Angelica anxiously shook her head.

"No, that can’t be right. Logan wouldn’t do that... I get it now—Selina, did you forget?"

"Logan’s busy, maybe he left the gift prep to you, and you messed it up..."

Realization dawned on the crowd.

The birthday gift must’ve been Selina’s responsibility—and she’d totally forgotten about it!

"Wow... Miss Angelica personally picked out a fine jade piece, and Selina couldn’t even remember a gift? How is that worthy of being the Reid family’s granddaughter-in-law?"

"Exactly! Grandpa Reid is her grandfather too! How could she forget? No comparison to Miss Angelica’s devotion."

Logan quietly sipped his tea, eyes darkening. He was just about to speak, when Selina pinched his wrist—hard.

Logan coughed.

Selina signaled for him to stay silent, then shook her head with a wronged expression.

"I did bring a gift. It must’ve been misplaced."

The butler looked conflicted, then held up a small box.

"You mean this, Miss Selina? Did you seriously just pick a few weeds from the roadside?"

All eyes turned to the box. Inside were a few sprigs of what looked like wild grass. No matter how fancy the wrapping, it was still... grass.

Even those who wanted to defend Selina couldn’t find a way to help her now.

Grandpa Reid’s face turned dark.

"I don’t care much for gifts from the younger generation, but you could’ve at least put in some effort! Don’t treat me like a fool—I don’t need your gift!"

"Selina, this is just too much!" Angelica said with a sad shake of her head.

"Logan probably doesn’t even know you did this. You’ve embarrassed not just yourself—but him too."

She lowered her eyes.

"Grandpa Reid, please don’t be upset. Just consider this gift from Selina alone. As for Logan’s gift... you can count it as mine."

Only a married couple would present a joint gift. Angelica was clearly implying that she and Logan were the true couple here.

Grandpa Reid said coldly, "Enough. Let it go. Selina, you need to learn from Angelica. How could Logan marry someone like you—someone who can’t even handle a simple gift? You’ve embarrassed the entire Reid Family!"

Logan’s expression grew colder.

"Grandpa, are you sure you want me to give you a birthday gift?"

Grandpa Reid suddenly felt uneasy.

"Logan, you—"

"So you don’t like my gift?" Selina said, resting her chin on her hand, puzzled. "I really thought you’d love it."

Grandpa Reid nearly choked.

What were they implying? Were they mocking him? Two pieces of useless grass, and they thought he’d love it?

He completely missed the deeper meaning in Selina’s words. Fury rising, he threw the box across the room. The herbs rolled to the floor and were promptly stomped on—twice—by Owen.

Selina pressed her lips together and got up. She walked calmly over to Owen and bent down to pick up the herbs.

Angelica was thrilled and couldn’t help but sneer.

"Selina, if you really didn’t have anything decent to give, I could’ve helped you out. There’s no need to embarrass yourself over a couple of weeds—"

"That’s Dragonbeard Herb from the Foster Family."

Before Angelica could finish, a cold male voice cut through the air.

Aiden’s eyes were unreadable, and his voice dropped like a hammer:

"Just one strand can extend life. It’s worth more than gold. There are only two in all of City A."

Angelica’s smile froze.

A wave of dread rose in her chest. freewёbnoνel.com

Wait... what did Aiden just say?!

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