CHAPTER 532: THE MARRIAGE ALLIANCE

The air suddenly fell into a dead silence.

Amelia nearly lost her breath.

Owen couldn’t hold back. "Selina, stop stirring things up—"

"Stirring things up?" Selina feigned surprise. "All I did was point out the truth. Mrs. Perry can’t even bring herself to punish Owen, yet she claims to care about Logan? Logan, let’s go."

"I can see Mrs. Perry still doesn’t take you seriously. All that talk about wanting to see her son as a mother’s duty—it’s just nonsense. Don’t believe her. She called you back for no good reason."

With that, Selina shook her head and started walking out.

Logan gave a slight nod. "Mm, let’s go."

"Wait, Logan...!" Amelia’s throat caught, panic flooding her. She couldn’t let him walk away today!

Selina didn’t slow her steps. "Mrs. Perry hasn’t shown the slightest sincerity. How can anyone believe she’s truly repentant? It’ll just be the same old game—letting Owen strut around while Logan suffers. Better to leave this kind of home behind. Come on, let’s go."

Her voice wasn’t quiet. Many heard her—including the side-branch members of the Reid Family who had come after hearing that Miss Paula was visiting.

Everyone knew why Amelia had called Logan back. Hearing Selina’s words, their expressions stiffened in awkward discomfort.

Paula shot Amelia an irritated glare. Amelia bit her lip hard, then spun around sharply. "Owen, do you admit you were wrong?"

Owen froze, completely dumbfounded. "I—I..."

Amelia signaled him desperately with her eyes. Owen finally caught on and lowered his head, as if bearing unbearable humiliation. "I know I was wrong. Big Brother, I’m sorry."

Amelia forced a smile. "Logan, you heard him. Owen has apologized. No matter what, we’re still a family..."

"That’s it?" Selina raised a brow. "One little ’sorry’ and it’s over? Those who know what really happened understand just how serious Owen’s offense was, how much trouble he caused. But to outsiders, looking at him with that pitiful expression, it almost seems like Logan is the bully here, forcing him to apologize."

Amelia’s fists clenched tight, nearly grinding her teeth to dust. She had already boasted in front of Miss Paula—that she, as Logan’s mother, could make the decision on the marriage alliance.

Because of that promise, Paula had agreed to invest two hundred billion into the Reid Group. Two hundred billion!

Once Logan married into Country Y’s royal family, that money would be Owen’s.

For the sake of two hundred billion and the future of the Reid Group, she had to endure!

Thinking of this, Amelia suddenly turned and slapped Owen hard across the face.

Owen stared at her in disbelief. "Mom!"

"Owen! I know you’ve already admitted your mistakes, but punishment is still necessary. Otherwise, people will think I’m playing favorites! In my heart, Logan is my son!"

Amelia forced herself not to look at Owen’s expression. Instead, she squeezed out a smile. "Logan, the reason I’ve been strict with you is because you’re my own child. And I’ve doted on Owen because he’s my sister’s son—I couldn’t be too harsh on him. Surely you can understand that?"

Logan’s face remained calm, his eyes sliding toward Amelia’s sycophantic smile. His voice was detached. "If that’s the case, then carry out the family law."

"...Logan!" Amelia had never expected this. She had already slapped Owen—yet he still demanded the family law?!

"Big Brother, I know it’s all my fault. Don’t worry, I’ll request the family law myself later."

Owen spoke in his usual sickly sweet tone, then quickly added, "But since we still have guests here, shouldn’t we take care of them first?"

"Yes, yes." Amelia snapped back to her senses as if clinging to a lifeline. "Logan, I’ll make sure Owen is punished later under the family law. But for now, this is our family’s private matter. Let’s not spoil our guest’s mood over something so small. Let me introduce you—this is Miss Paula, daughter of Duke William of Country Y."

Selina arched a brow. Hm?

Duke William’s daughter—Miss Paula?

No wonder she looked familiar. Back at the Reid Group’s hotel, Selina had seen her from afar—arrogantly demanding the entire place be cleared, loudly proclaiming that everyone except royalty were "lowly commoners." The memory had stuck.

And now... Miss Paula knew Amelia?

Amelia, her tone dripping with flattery, said obsequiously, "Logan, this is Miss Paula’s first time in City A. She isn’t familiar with many places. You should show her around. She enjoys high-end malls, and don’t you own several yourself? You have some free time now, so take her out for a while. You could even stay out overnight."

No sooner had Amelia spoken than Paula stepped forward proudly. She cast Selina a quick, dismissive glance from the corner of her eye, then looked down her nose and ordered, "I don’t like irrelevant people being here."

Selina: "...?"

Wait a minute. Irrelevant people... did she mean her?

Amelia jumped to smooth things over. "Selina, Logan needs to entertain an important guest. Why don’t you leave first, so you don’t offend her? This is a member of Country Y’s royal family. She’s not someone you can afford to offend!"

Before Selina could reply, Paula’s haughty demeanor softened into feigned shyness. "Mr. Reid, Auntie Amelia said I could call you Brother Logan. I like you very much. Won’t you take me around?"

At that, Selina finally understood. She blinked, two big question marks practically popping over her head.

So that was why those Reid side-branch relatives had joked about Logan having a "pretty face"... Turns out Miss Paula had her eye on him!

It had been a long time since anyone had tried to snatch her husband right in front of her. Honestly, it was almost amusing.

Paula reached for Logan’s hand boldly. "I’ve already told my father, and he gave me permission to spend the night out with you. Let’s go!"

Logan simply took a calm step back, letting her grasp at empty air.

The room fell silent.

A low, mocking laugh escaped him. His light gray eyes were flat, devoid of warmth. "Do we know each other?"

Paula’s smile froze.

"You... you don’t recognize me?!"

She, Miss Paula—the daughter of Duke William—famous throughout Country Y! Logan had been there many times, had even been invited by the royal family more than once. How could he not know her?!

In Paula’s world, she was the center of everything. It was impossible anyone wouldn’t recognize her. Logan must be pretending!

She realized instantly—it had to be Selina’s jealousy! That was why "Brother Logan" wouldn’t acknowledge her!

Paula burned with rage. She shot Selina a venomous glare and sneered, "Brother Logan, in our Country Y, jealous women are despised! You’re the husband, the head of the household—I understand that much. You should go wherever you please, with whomever you please. Why should you let this old hag’s face dictate anything?"

Selina had to admit—she was stunned.

And then Paula lunged again, this time clutching Logan’s hand through his sleeve.