Selina snapped back to reality, nearly cursing in her head: …
Damn, this wasn't someone who looked like Logan—this was Logan!
What was he doing here?
Selina couldn't help glancing behind him. It wasn't like Logan to be on vacation in a small town.
Swallowing hard, she forced a smile. "Mr. Reid, what a coincidence."
Logan narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
He had followed the trail to BW Town, uncovering that the hacker he was tracking had lived in this villa for a time. Yet when he arrived, the door was opened by none other than Mrs. Reid herself.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Mrs. Reid was hiding something from him.
Logan's lips curved into a faint smile as he played along. "Not a coincidence. I came here for you."
"Uh, what?"
Selina was stunned.
He'd traveled all this way to find *her*?
She was about to ask why, but Logan cut her off with a nonchalant glance upward.
"Are you here for something?"
Selina felt as though Logan was leading her along, but before she could process it fully, she blurted out, "This is my house. I came to retrieve my mother's photos."
Her house? Logan's suspicions grew sharper.
His lips quirked into a knowing smile, but he didn't press further. "Let's go, Mrs. Reid."
Without thinking, Selina refused, "I still have something to—"
Before she could finish, Logan's calm gaze swept over her. His expression was neutral, but there was an unmistakable hint of a threat in his eyes.
"…" Selina immediately backpedaled, forcing a smile. "But since you've come all this way, Mr. Reid, I can't turn you down. Let's go home. Right now."
Logan seemed satisfied with her sudden compliance.
Once in the car, Selina huddled in the corner. Before she could close her eyes, Logan's slow, deliberate voice filled the space.
"If Mrs. Reid went back for an album, where are the photos?"
Selina froze, a strange pang of guilt rising in her chest.
Wait a second—why was she feeling guilty? She really *had* gone back for the photos!
Even though this villa had been her headquarters during her hacking days, there was no way Logan could know that. Surely, he was just expressing concern.
Turning her gaze away, she lost her usual composure. "Katie burned them."
Logan's casual demeanor shifted slightly.
For the first time, he saw traces of sadness and disappointment on Selina's face.
Oddly, it bothered him more than he expected.
When they arrived at Sapphire Valley Villa, Selina went straight upstairs. Logan's gaze darkened.
"Find out how many years Mrs. Reid lived in BW Town," he ordered.
It wasn't long before Jack, seated in the front, reported back. "Mrs. Reid lived in BW Town during the time she was exiled to the countryside. She moved out later and returned four years ago."
Logan narrowed his eyes. The hacker who had attacked Reid Group's system had done so five years ago.
Could it not be her?
Yet, it was rare for someone other than the owner to live in a villa for an extended period. It seemed Mrs. Reid's connection to the hacker wasn't a coincidence.
Jack seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation. "Sir, I—"
"Gather a few men and interrogate Katie. Find out where she hid Victoria's photos," Logan interrupted smoothly.
"Katie claims she burned the photos, but with her temperament, if she got hold of them, she'd likely use them to torment Victoria's memory rather than destroy them outright."
Jack: "…"
Jack: "?"
Sir, do you realize what you're saying?
Logan was clearly suspicious that Mrs. Reid was the hacker. Yet, in the same breath, he wanted Jack to recover her mother's photos.
If she was the hacker, wouldn't that make her the enemy?
Logan glanced at him coolly. "Do you have a problem?"
Jack shuddered. "No, sir. I'll handle it immediately."
"And one more thing," Logan said, stopping him again.
Jack promptly turned back.
Logan suddenly chuckled, his tone warm. "Whether or not the photos were actually burned, Mrs. Reid is unhappy. When she's unhappy, I want more people to be unhappy."
Jack immediately understood that someone was about to suffer. "I understand, sir. I'll send someone to City A University right away."
Katie, Robert, and James had already faced their share of misfortune. Landing themselves in the police station had tarnished their reputation across high society—a sufficient embarrassment.
Now, that left Natalia.
Jack realized Logan's intention: he was going to make Natalia *pay* as well.
City A University.
Natalia had used small favors and gestures to completely restore her classmates' perception of her.
Even Katie's reputation had seen some improvement.
In just a few days, Natalia had returned to being the admired, adored center of attention.
Today, Noah was giving a lecture at City A University, and Natalia had managed to be invited to stay afterward. Her classmates were visibly envious.
Natalia blushed and said shyly, "Mr. Brown, about what happened last time…"
"Last time was a misunderstanding, Miss Clark. I still hold you in high regard," Noah said with a gentle smile. "Would you like to walk with me around the campus?"
Everyone around them looked on with admiration.
Natalia was overjoyed. Even if Noah had chosen Selina for a collaboration because of Victoria, what did it matter?
She was the one Noah truly favored!
Still reeling from the mockery over her illegitimacy a few days ago, Natalia deliberately guided Noah toward crowded areas. She wanted everyone to see just how impressive she was!
Noah's eyes flickered with amusement as he added, "In fact, even though the last collaboration didn't work out, I'm confident we can pursue another opportunity. Your sincerity, along with Katie's, left a strong impression on me…"
Natalia was so excited she was about to accept when her classmates' phones all pinged with a news alert.
In an instant, everyone's gazes toward Natalia shifted to something far less admiring.
"Her parents are shameless. Breaking into someone else's house to steal? They're basically thieves!"
"Do you think Natalia's fancy clothes and jewelry are stolen too?"
"And to think we praised Katie for being kind and graceful. Turns out, she's just a nasty stepmother. Ugh!"
"Noah wants to work with Natalia? He must be blind!"
Hearing his name, Noah paused in confusion. "What are you all talking about?"
A few students spoke up indignantly.
"Mr. Brown, please don't collaborate with Natalia. Her parents broke into someone's home and robbed them!"
"Yeah, it's awful. Selina's late mother left her some things, and her stepmother and illegitimate sister stole everything!"
"And Natalia pretends to be a goddess in front of us, acting all sweet to Selina. Behind the scenes, she threatens and bullies her. Who knows what else she's done?"
Natalia's face turned ashen, and her body swayed as tears welled up in her eyes. "What are you all saying? I don't understand! Mr. Brown, don't believe them—"
Damn it! These students must have been bribed by Selina to ruin her reputation!