"To prevent that adopted daughter from scheming to take the sheet music away from me, Logan, if that woman dares to use her position as a mother to pressure you, tell her to come and talk to me."
"When I was in a coma and couldn't stop your grandfather from letting that woman take my daughter's place, I had no power to control her. But now that I'm awake, no one will bully you again!"
Grandma Perry's voice carried a sharp edge, echoing the authority of a once formidable woman.
However, Selina's mind latched onto something else entirely.
…From Grandma Perry's tone, could it be that the adopted daughter she's referring to is Logan's biological mother? Would Grandpa Carter, who values lineage, really marry an adopted daughter?
Selina's thoughts swirled in confusion. Before she could make sense of them, Grandma Perry waved a hand dismissively.
"Logan, take Selina and head home now. I'm tired."
As the butler escorted them to the door, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Logan, the old lady's condition is worsening. She spends most of her time resting, which only emboldens that adopted daughter further."
The butler's voice softened, heavy with regret. "The old lady asked me to tell you that the Perry Family has wronged you, but don't hold it against her—she's done all she could."
Logan's voice was steady, though it carried a hint of sorrow. "I know."
As they left the Perry estate, Selina's mind buzzed with unspoken questions. The tension and intrigue within the family were palpable.
Logan had helped her in so many ways; to pry into his family dynamics purely to satisfy her curiosity about his ties to the Carter Family felt selfish—like a betrayal of trust. She sighed inwardly.
Maybe she'd ask another time.
Selina startled herself with this thought. When had she started considering someone else's feelings so deeply?
Why was she so concerned about Logan's emotions, so fearful of causing him pain?
It was an unfamiliar and unsettling feeling.
Back in the Perry Family's drawing room, Perry Madam's face was a storm of fury as Perry Master paced restlessly.
Vivian, their last card to play, had been dismissed by Logan without hesitation. Despite being an adopted daughter, she was a carefully groomed asset. Watching her crumble under Selina's barbs had left them both livid.
Vivian stirred weakly, tears streaming down her face. "Dad, Mom, it's okay. Logan probably looks down on me because I'm adopted…"
Perry Madam seethed, "Adopted? And what of it? The Perry Family's most successful figure is an adopted daughter! Logan's mother was an adopted daughter, and yet she became the lady of the Reid Family. What right does Logan have to reject you?"
Perry Master sighed heavily. "Vivian, the old lady is awake now. You need to win her favor. I'll give you the money—go buy a piano. The old lady loves it when the younger generation plays for her."
Perry Madam's fury boiled over. "She only likes listening to the piano because of that cursed woman! Dead or not, she insists on remembering her!"
"Enough," Perry Master snapped. "Vivian, practice your piano. Focus on convincing the old lady to part with some of her shares. As for Logan…"
Perry Madam's lip curled with disdain. "No man can resist temptation forever. Trust me, Logan will tire of Selina soon enough—she's just a petty country girl causing trouble. She can't hold onto him for long!"
Meanwhile, Selina returned home and began studying the sheet music. But Sapphire Valley Villa lacked a piano.
By the next morning, she decided to visit the largest piano store in the city.
The night before, she'd looked into the Perry Family's background. Grandma Perry's daughter had four children. The eldest daughter was deceased. The third daughter was adopted. The second and fourth sons were born of Grandpa Perry's mistresses.
Grandma Perry's only biological child was the late eldest daughter.
As for the Perry Family's connection to the Carter Family… Selina frowned. No matter how hard she searched, she couldn't find a single clue.
It felt as though some powerful force was blocking her investigation.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed when the piano store came into view.
Selina selected a piano, but her attention was suddenly drawn to a white jade flute. She glanced at the price tag and decisively made the purchase.
However, before the flute could be handed to her, a female voice interrupted: "I'll take that flute."
Selina narrowed her eyes and turned to see Vivian walking over, surrounded by a group of bodyguards, basking in their adulation like a queen.
The store assistant looked troubled. "I'm sorry, but there's only one white jade flute, and it's already been purchased by another customer."
Vivian's eyes gleamed with disdain and provocation. "She bought it? Do you even know who I am? You'd rather sell the flute to a country bumpkin than to me?"
One of the bodyguards stepped forward aggressively, forcing the assistant to hand the flute over to Vivian.
Holding the flute, Vivian smirked triumphantly. "Oh, Miss Clark, what a coincidence that we liked the same flute. Too bad it's mine now."
Selina instantly recognized Vivian's deliberate antics.
You dare to snatch my things? Fine.
Selina calmly walked away and soon set her sights on a violin priced at half a million.
Vivian immediately declared, "I'll take it!"
Selina's gaze shifted to a guzheng priced at 800,000.
Vivian sneered and ordered her bodyguard to grab it. "Sorry, I like this one too!"
Selina then looked toward a cello.
Before the staff could even speak, Vivian waved her hand imperiously. "Wrap it up for me!"
No matter what Selina showed interest in, Vivian would snatch it.
Before long, Vivian had spent over 10 million.
With a smug grin, she taunted, "Selina, are you broke? Can't afford any of these instruments? If you're poor, stop pretending to be cultured!"
Selina remained unbothered and pointed to a piano in the corner of the store. "I'd like to buy that piano," she said to the staff.
Vivian immediately declared, "I'll buy it!"
Selina chuckled lightly and blinked playfully. "Oh, Miss Perry likes this piano too?"
Vivian, eager to impress Grandma Perry, had come to the store specifically to buy a piano. She scoffed haughtily. "Of course. Do you think I can't afford—"
"But," Selina tilted her head and asked innocently, "do you even have any money left?"
Vivian's expression froze.
Selina continued nonchalantly, "Miss Perry has spent at least 10 million today. Even if the Perry Family is wealthy, I doubt they'd allow an adopted daughter to blow that much in one day. But that piano costs three million. Miss Perry, do you still have enough to pay?"
Vivian's face turned ghostly pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Selina was right—she was out of money!
The original 10 million was more than enough for a piano, but she'd spent it all competing with Selina.
"Oh, it seems Miss Perry is out of funds." Selina smoothed her hair and calmly remarked, "Miss Perry, you've spent so extravagantly, buying a pile of useless instruments. I thought your savings would be limitless."
Vivian's mind blanked for a moment. She clenched her teeth and hissed, "Useless instruments?"
These were the very instruments Selina had shown interest in! How could they be useless?
Before Vivian could respond, Selina spoke in a deliberately infuriating tone, her words laced with mockery. "I was just browsing. I wasn't really interested in those instruments. But Miss Perry was so bold—buying them without hesitation. I really admire you!"
Vivian finally realized what had happened, her face flushing with rage as she nearly spat blood.
Selina had never intended to buy those instruments. She'd baited Vivian into spending her money for nothing!