CHAPTER 465: A NEW FACE

Selina woke up from a nap.

When she went to the bathroom and removed the bandages, she was momentarily stunned.

She couldn’t quite say what was different, but her face definitely wasn’t exactly the same as before. The bone structure was still hers, but something was off. Jacob would definitely have a makeup artist polish the look further, and the final result would be noticeably different.

Where did Jacob get this kind of drug?

A half-developed "cosmetic medicine"... The Carter Family knew nothing about pharmaceuticals, and there were no major pharmaceutical companies in City A. So the drug must have come from—

Selina suddenly thought of something—

The Hill Family in City N. Weren’t they the largest medical family in the country?

If this drug came from the Hill Family, then Hannah’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence. Hannah had always shown a strange hostility toward her mother, and the Carter Family had orchestrated things twenty years ago to make her mother and Thomas "close friends despite the age gap."

Selina’s heart pounded. She had the unsettling feeling that she had just touched the tip of some massive secret.

She had originally planned to find an opportunity to leave with Logan after the banquet. But now...

If she wanted the truth, maybe staying inside the Carter Family was the key. The Carter Family was like a double-edged sword—it might hurt her, or it might give her exactly what she needed to know.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. But... would Logan be willing?

"Selina." Jacob’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Two stylists came in to do her makeup and help her into the gown.

Staring at the unfamiliar face in the mirror, Selina glanced at Jacob. "So, Mr. Carter, you’re taking me to the banquet today. Just curious—do you think Logan will recognize me?"

"Of course not."

Jacob replied calmly, "Logan won’t recognize you at all. Selina, just look at yourself. If you were Logan, and someone looking like this told you they were you, would you believe them?"

Selina scoffed. "Don’t try to drive a wedge."

"I’m not trying to. I’m just saying—some things only feel real when you see them with your own eyes. Logan already has ’Selina’ at his side. Your face isn’t even hers anymore, and you’re walking in there as some Carter Family heiress—"

He looked at her meaningfully. "Why are you still clinging to illusions?"

"I’m taking you to the banquet to give you a proper identity. What’s wrong with becoming part of the Carter Family?"

Selina let out a dry laugh.

Jacob didn’t get angry. He escorted her to the car and headed to the banquet venue.

He thought lazily to himself—Selina still couldn’t face reality, but that was only because she hadn’t seen Logan yet.

Once she saw him—and he didn’t recognize her—she’d give up.

Jacob let out a self-deprecating laugh. Sometimes, when he thought about it, he wasn’t much different from the imposter pretending to be Selina.

That woman wanted to steal everything Selina had, and he... he wanted to take everything that belonged to Logan.

But there was a difference. The imposter was nothing. She couldn’t compare to the real Selina in any way. Stealing her identity was never justified.

But he was different. Logan was just a Carter Family foster child, a fake young master, his "blood bank." From the moment Logan was adopted, he was beneath him. Everything Logan had should’ve belonged to him.

...

At the banquet venue.

Old Mr. Carter’s 70th birthday was a major event. Anyone with status was there.

The hall was enormous and bustling with chatter. Guests flowed through the entrance in waves.

"Mrs. Taylor, long time no see!"

"Oh, Mrs. Martin, you made it too."

"Well, who would miss Old Mr. Carter’s birthday? I heard Mr. Reid is coming too, isn’t he?"

"Exactly! Oh, and apparently Mr. Jacob Carter brought a young lady along this time. Said she’s a distant relative of the Carter Family. Supposedly, he plans to introduce her to everyone."

"A distant relative? Doesn’t sound like anyone important."

"Her name’s Sophia Carter. I heard Old Mr. Carter’s quite fond of her."

...

Logan listened calmly as the two women chatted nearby.

Sophia? A distant relative of the Carter Family?

He knew exactly what Jacob was up to.

"Logan, why didn’t you wait for me?"

Just as a CEO was approaching Logan for a polite greeting, "Selina" came up and tried to link arms with him.

Logan subtly stepped aside and instead shook hands with the CEO. "Good to see you again, President Taylor."

The woman’s attempt to cling to him fell flat, and her face stiffened with embarrassment.

No one else noticed anything strange. President Taylor, trying to stay in Logan’s good graces, smiled, "Mr. Reid and Mrs. Reid really are the picture of love."

Logan nodded slightly and continued chatting with others, leaving "Selina" standing there awkwardly.

The woman bit her lip in frustration, then tried to regain some dignity. She smiled sweetly and said, "Logan, I’m tired. Will you come sit with me for a bit?"

Since "Mrs. Reid" had spoken, no one dared keep Logan any longer.

Logan frowned slightly, a flicker of annoyance passing through his eyes, though his expression stayed calm. "Go ahead."

Until he saw Selina—until he confirmed she was safe—he couldn’t blow this imposter’s cover.

He escorted the woman to a lounge area and had Jack keep an eye on her before stepping away with an excuse.

Left behind, the woman immediately began bossing Jack around, drawing attention from those nearby.

"Didn’t they say Mrs. Reid and Jack had a good relationship?"

"Jack has worked for Mr. Reid for years. Why is she treating him like a servant?"

"Shhh... Look, Mr. Jacob Carter just arrived! That girl with him must be the rumored distant Carter relative."

"Yeah, I think her name is Sophia. She’s actually quite pretty."

Selina followed Jacob down the stairs, her eyes scanning the room—but Logan was nowhere in sight.

Earlier, Ethan and Alice had glanced her way upon seeing Jacob, but quickly looked away.

Clearly, the Drake siblings didn’t recognize her.

Jacob chuckled, "You see? Even your old friends don’t recognize you anymore. The Selina in their hearts is someone else now."

Selina shot back coldly, "Are you bragging about your ’accomplishment’?"

"I know you want to see Logan. He’s in the hall," Jacob replied instead. "I’ll give you a chance—if he recognizes you, I’ll let you go. Deal?"

Selina narrowed her eyes. "You sound awfully sure Logan won’t recognize me."

Jacob smiled faintly. "Why not test it for yourself?"

Without another word, Selina turned and walked away.

She wandered through the hall but didn’t see anyone familiar. Since she couldn’t find Logan, she figured it would be better to wait—Logan knew she was with Jacob, and he’d come find her.

"Mrs. Reid, let me pour you a drink."

"Mrs. Reid, we all know how much Mr. Reid adores you. If you could put in a good word for us..."

Selina turned—and froze.

That face. Her face. But it was on someone else.

The woman was basking in the spotlight, abusing Selina’s name and position like it was hers.

"Ah!" Suddenly, "Selina" jumped to her feet and shoved Selina hard. "Are you blind? You spilled wine on my dress! Do you even know how expensive this is? Logan bought it for me!"

Selina let out a cold laugh and turned her head slightly.

Her voice was icy, every word clear and deliberate. "You said Logan bought that for you?"

"Of course! And who are you to talk to me like that?" the imposter snapped, full of arrogance with Logan as her supposed backing.

Selina smiled.

This was her first time seeing the imposter up close, and just as Jacob had said—her looks, voice, even height—were identical.

"Mr. Reid is here!"

Someone whispered in the crowd.

Selina instinctively turned—

Logan’s coat flared behind him as he stood just three steps away, at the edge of the crowd.