Logan raised an eyebrow and responded coolly, "Miss Clark, are you joking with me?"
Selina shook her head calmly, though her hand at her side clenched unconsciously, worried he might reject her.
"I'm not joking. I'm serious," she said, her clear, bright eyes fixed on Logan, trying to convey her sincerity.
Logan was silent for a while, thinking about the annoying blind date arrangement in his family, and looking at the reckless woman in front of him, maybe a quick marriage would be a good idea.
Then Logan stood up, his tall frame exuding an undeniable sense of authority. Selina suddenly realized the man before her was likely over six feet tall, and she instinctively took two steps back.
Just as she was about to speak again, Logan broke the silence with his deep, magnetic voice. "I accept Miss Clark's proposal."
Selina blinked, momentarily stunned, before a wave of surprise and delight washed over her.
He agreed? Just like that?
Logan noticed the spark in Selina's eyes and the corners of his lips curled ever so slightly before his expression returned to its usual calm. He turned and began walking away. "Let's go."
Selina followed him, still a bit dazed. "Go where?"
Logan glanced back at her and said in an even tone, "To register our marriage."
Realizing what he meant, Selina's smile widened. "Did you bring your identification?"
She had hers on her, originally intending to register with Ryan after the wedding. Now, it seemed they would serve a different purpose.
"My assistant will bring it over," Logan replied, his expression as composed as ever, showing no trace of excitement about getting married. Not that Selina minded.
She assumed Logan agreed to marry her because he needed a wife as a shield. After all, with his youth, wealth, and striking looks, he was bound to attract a swarm of admirers. He was probably looking for a way to fend them off.
As for her, her reputation in the elite circles of City A was already tarnished. When he no longer needed her as a shield, divorcing her wouldn't be a burden.
Feeling she had deduced his motives, Selina cleared her throat. "Don't worry. After we're married, we'll live our own lives. I promise I won't interfere with yours."
Logan's gaze deepened. "What does Miss Clark mean by that?"
Though his tone remained steady, Selina keenly sensed that he seemed irritated. She furrowed her brows in confusion. Had she said something to upset him?
"I understand you're not genuinely interested in marrying me," she explained. "We don't have any emotional foundation, so when you want a divorce, I won't make things difficult for you."
Logan's sharp gaze landed on her, both mocking and critical. "Miss Clark's attitude toward marriage is astonishingly casual."
Selina frowned more deeply. "I—"
Before she could finish, a man's voice suddenly interrupted, "Selina! Thank goodness you called off the engagement. Now we can be together again."
Selina's expression flickered with surprise. After the Carter and Clark families had left with Jillian for the hospital, the banquet hall had mostly emptied. She had assumed this man had slipped away in the chaos. Yet here he was, brazenly showing up again to perform his act.
Did he think she was an easy target just because she hadn't dealt with him earlier?
Her face darkened as she strode over to him and delivered a sharp slap. Then, without hesitation, she grabbed his shoulders and drove her knee forcefully into him.
"Ah!" The man let out a scream like a slaughtered pig, doubling over and collapsing to the ground in agony.
Selina towered over him, her expression icy. "Who sent you?"
The man's face turned pale with pain, and he began hurling insults. "You bitch! How dare you hit me! I'll—"
Before he could finish, Selina stomped on his mouth, silencing him. She pulled out one of the fake "bed photos" of them and waved it in his face.
"Using AI-generated photos to defame and slander me? What do you think would happen if I reported you to the police? How many years do you think you'd get for this?"
The moment Selina mentioned calling the police, the man's bravado crumbled instantly. "I'll talk! I'll talk!" he stammered.
Selina recorded his confession with a voice recorder before dismissing him with a glare. As the man scurried away, she turned around, only to find Logan standing a short distance away, arms crossed and watching her with an air of amusement.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed her face—she had nearly forgotten about Logan's presence. Quickly brushing her hair back in a feigned display of calm, she walked over to him.
She had been fretting about how to respond to Logan's earlier remark, but before she could say anything, Logan spoke in his usual composed tone. "Miss Clark, impressive skills. I suppose even if I'm not around after our marriage, you won't have trouble handling yourself."
Huh?
Selina's head snapped up in surprise. He was still willing to marry her?
Logan let out a soft chuckle. "It's getting late. If we delay any longer, the staff at the Marriage Bureau will be off duty."
...
An hour later, Selina held their freshly printed marriage certificate, the paper still warm from the printer. A swirl of complicated emotions churned in her chest—she could hardly believe she had just married a man she had only met twice.
Her gaze drifted to Logan once more. His network and efficiency were awe-inspiring. From agreeing to marry her to this very moment, barely an hour had passed, yet everything had been flawlessly arranged. His assistant and lawyer had prepared all the necessary documents ahead of time, the bureau staff had been persuaded to work overtime to process their license, and even the officiant had been plucked out of another meeting to formalize their union.
Though the rapid pace of the wedding was dizzying, Selina found solace in knowing that her mother's inheritance was now within reach.
However, when her eyes landed on the name printed on the marriage certificate—Logan Reid—her face paled instantly.
"Logan Reid?!" she exclaimed.
Logan's deep, calm eyes flicked toward her. "What's wrong?"
Selina's heart nearly stopped. "Your last name is Reid?"
Logan replied with his usual indifference, "It wasn't originally. I changed it to Reid later."
Her pounding heart began to settle, and she let out a long breath of relief. So he had changed his name—she hadn't mistaken him for someone else after all.
Wait a minute. Logan Reid?!
The realization hit her like a thunderbolt. Logan Reid, the most powerful figure in City A and the chairman of the Reid Group? But… wasn't he supposed to be part of the Carter Family? How could he be the head of the Reid Group?
A thousand questions swirled in her mind, but she forced herself to hold them back. This must involve deep family secrets Logan wouldn't want to share.
After completing the registration process, Logan's assistant, Jack Cole, handed her a set of keys. "Madam, these are the keys to Mr. Reid's Sapphire Valley Villa."
Selina didn't take them immediately and instead looked toward Logan.
Sapphire Valley Villa was Logan's private estate—it didn't feel appropriate for her to move in there.
Logan didn't seem to notice her hesitation. "From now on, Ms. Clark is the mistress of Sapphire Valley Villa. Make sure the staff understand that."
Jack responded immediately. "Yes, sir!" He couldn't help but glance at Selina with newfound respect. This was a direct acknowledgment of her status from Mr. Reid himself.
Logan checked his watch. "I have a meeting to attend. Jack will drive you home."
Caught off guard by the idea of cohabiting with Logan, Selina found herself unable to refuse. "Alright."
After all, following today's drama, she couldn't go back to the Clark Family. Once she found a more suitable place to stay, she would move out.
At Sapphire Valley Villa, Selina picked a random room and settled in. After a quick shower, she fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the uncovered windows, waking her with its brilliance. Rubbing her eyes, Selina slipped on her slippers and headed for the bathroom.
The moment she turned the doorknob, she was greeted by the sight of Logan standing inside, shirtless. His toned abs and the sharp lines of his V-shaped torso were on full display.
Selina's eyes widened in shock, and her gaze involuntarily lingered on his sculpted chest.
Logan, holding the shirt he had just removed, remained unfazed, letting her stare as long as she liked.
It wasn't until Selina snapped out of it, her face flushing crimson as she spun around, that Logan's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Seen enough?"