CHAPTER 468: THE DANCE PARTNER

Miss Carter’s dance partner... is Logan?!

The guests froze in place.

Mrs. Reid had just said she wasn’t feeling well and asked Mr. Reid to carry her upstairs—he said nothing. But when Jacob invited Sophia to dance, Mr. Reid said he was her dance partner?

If Mr. Reid was going to dance, shouldn’t it be with Mrs. Reid?

Did that mean Mrs. Reid was right? That Sophia really was the mistress?

Jacob chuckled lightly and asked deliberately, "Logan, what are you saying? Your dance partner is right next to you—Mrs. Reid still needs your attention."

The fake Selina let the tears fall freely as Joe erupted, "Logan, what is the meaning of this?! What about my daughter?!"

"I’m just catching up with Miss Carter," Logan said with a half-smile, casting a cool glance at the fake Selina. "Selina, didn’t you say you knew who Sophia was? Why wouldn’t you let me dance with her then?"

The color drained from the fake Selina’s face.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. "Wait... what does he mean, Mrs. Reid knew?"

"Is he saying Mrs. Reid already approved of them dancing?"

"Then why did she act like Carter’s girl was a homewrecker?"

The fake Selina shook her head desperately. "Logan, I don’t know what you’re talking about... I don’t understand..."

"You don’t?" Logan’s tone was calm. "Didn’t you just tell me earlier—’Carter Family raised you, you should try to mend things with them’? Sophia was my childhood friend, and by family ties, technically my niece."

The fake Selina froze. What?! She had never said any of that!

The crowd looked stunned.

Logan continued, "Sophia and I haven’t seen each other in years. A simple dance between uncle and niece—what’s so strange about that?"

The fake Selina stammered, "But... but I..."

"Jacob." Logan cut her off, brushing past him with a faint smile.

"Sophia is your ’niece’, and therefore mine, too. That’s the role you gave her—have you forgotten?"

Jacob’s pupils contracted slightly. Logan knows?

Even if he did, where did he get the nerve to challenge him at a Carter Family event?

The room went quiet again. Joe opened his mouth to speak but had nothing to say.

Logan had once been a foster son of the Carter Family. If Jacob had declared Sophia his niece, then she was also Logan’s ’niece’. It was perfectly acceptable by etiquette for an uncle and niece to share a dance at an event like this—even Joe couldn’t argue with that.

The fake Selina was seething. "Logan, I—I don’t agree with this..."

"Selina, I remember you used to be more understanding." Logan said slowly, each word deliberate. "Since when did you start getting jealous of a niece?"

Some guests nodded. That made sense—if Sophia was his niece, then Mrs. Reid had nothing to worry about. Most people wouldn’t assume some scandal from a family dance.

But others murmured: "Sophia’s the same age as Mrs. Reid. What if she does have feelings for Logan? They’re not blood-related, after all."

Logan smiled slightly. "I wouldn’t flirt with a child of the Carter Family. I think Jacob knows that best."

All eyes shifted to Jacob.

Jacob realized he’d just dug himself a hole.

If he didn’t let Selina dance with Logan, it would look like Carter Family was rejecting Logan’s gesture of goodwill. But if he agreed—he’d be playing right into Logan’s hands.

Jacob took a deep breath. "That’s still up to Selina. She..."

"Sophia. Let’s go."

Logan didn’t wait for him to finish. He was already by Selina’s side.

The man’s gaze softened, his eyes lowered, glowing with undeniable tenderness.

Selina, Sophia—it didn’t matter what name she went by.

To Logan, there was only this woman.

And he only wanted her.

Selina’s heart pounded violently. She looked up at Logan, calm but shaken.

Suddenly, she reached out—like breaking through invisible chains—and placed her hand into Logan’s palm.

"Alright. I’ll dance with you."

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she turned to look at Jacob with a subtle smile.

"Uncle, I’m going to dance with my other uncle. Please, help yourself."

Jacob’s fists clenched at his sides.

...

As they stepped into the ballroom, Selina glanced back—Joe and the fake Selina were already gone.

The dance floor was full of moving figures, not crowded but not sparse either. Sometimes, they had to gently avoid bumping into others.

Most of the guests now knew "Sophia’s" supposed identity—as Logan’s niece. With Logan’s status, no one dared stare too openly, though many looked on with curiosity.

"Selina, it’s been a while. Don’t recognize me anymore?"

Logan didn’t hold back in the middle of the ballroom. His voice carried a strange, unreadable tone.

Selina’s heart gave a little tremble.

Selina.

She knew in that instant—he recognized her.

He knew.

He knew.

He said "Selina." He said "it’s been a while." He knew exactly who she was.

Selina suddenly felt her eyes sting.

"Logan..."

"Give me your hand."

His warm palm wrapped firmly around hers. His other hand rested on her waist, guiding her gently into the dance.

Her slim waist fit perfectly under his hand, fragile as porcelain—he could wrap his whole palm around her.

Selina bit her lip. She suddenly wanted to kiss him.

But she was Sophia now. Her current identity didn’t allow her to be reckless.

Still—what was she supposed to do with this feeling?

Their eyes met.

She wanted to ask him what to do about the imposter.

What to do about Jacob.

Whether there was a way to reclaim her identity.

And then—

Snap.

The lights went out.

Voices erupted in confusion around the ballroom.

"What’s going on? Did the power go out?"

"Everyone stay where you are! The lights will come back soon!"

Selina had just opened her mouth to speak when suddenly, in the darkness, a shadow leaned in toward her.

All around them was chaos and noise.

But in the middle of it all, the man dipped down—

—and pressed his lips against hers.

The searing heat of his kiss clashed with her own cold shock, and Selina froze for a second.

His hand gripped her waist with a possessive strength, pulling her tightly into him.

His tongue demanded entry, parting her lips—not gently, not patiently. His kiss was intense and overwhelming, pouring in all his worry, longing, and frustration from the past few days.

Selina’s eyes fluttered, breath shaky. She tried to object, "Logan... there are people..."

"They can’t see."

Logan panted lightly, his breath hot against her skin. One hand gently clasped the back of her neck—not forceful, but enough to make her knees buckle.

And then he kissed her again.

This time softer—starting with her eyes.

He kissed her eyelids, slowly tracing her features, memorizing every inch of the face he’d nearly lost.

And finally, he sealed her lips once more.

They didn’t know when the lights would return.

There were other people just steps away.

But in the center of the ballroom’s darkness, they kissed like no one else existed.