Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'-Chapter 434: Like a Bad Rash

No one dared say a word.

Stone’s eyes were practically bulging as he watched Selina’s back, teeth grinding so hard it was a wonder they didn’t crack.

Arrogant. Way too arrogant.

...

Two days later, word got out that Assistant Stone had been demoted.

The whole business about the leaked Country Y negotiation quote wasn’t widely known.

To most people, Stone had been by Logan’s side for ten years, always diligent, never making a big mistake. Why was he suddenly demoted?

Then the rumor spread: Stone had offended Mrs. Reid, and Mr. Reid, furious for her sake, had punished him.

Luke let out a low whistle. "Selina, I knew I had you pegged right. You really are a natural-born seductress!"

Selina arched a brow. "How’s Assistant Stone taking it?"

Logan sounded completely casual. "He’s shown no reaction."

Selina nodded. Figures.

An old fox like him wouldn’t slip up so easily. He’d been playing the long game right under Logan’s nose for ten years—what’s a couple of days?

Logan glanced at the time. "Where do you want to go for lunch?"

Selina thought about it, her eyes twinkling. "The cafeteria. I am just an assistant, after all. Don’t think I’m allowed special treatment. Don’t you agree?"

Logan let out a rare, low laugh. "Sure. Let’s go."

Luke: "??"

Wait. Logan, did you just say you’re going to the cafeteria?

Sure, Reid Group’s cafeteria was on par with fancy restaurants, but because of his position, Logan almost never went there.

Besides, the company had private kitchens for the CEO and senior execs.

Luke trailed after them, totally bewildered.

...

It wasn’t until they actually reached the cafeteria that Luke realized just how naive he’d been.

Selina hadn’t come here to eat. She’d come here to show off.

Reid Group had several cafeterias. The closest one was on the 45th floor, and it was prime lunch hour—employees were coming and going in droves.

Even though they called it a "cafeteria," it was basically a high-end buffet, famous in the industry.

Even trust-fund brats wouldn’t complain about the quality here.

But no one ever expected Logan to show up in person.

The second he walked in, the entire place fell silent.

Employees froze mid-bite, not daring to even look up.

After a long, awkward moment, one manager finally worked up the nerve to approach carefully.

"Mr. Reid... is there anything you need?"

Luke got it now.

No wonder Logan never comes down here. Who the hell can eat with him sitting there? Even I’d lose my appetite.

Logan lifted his hand in a dismissive wave. "Just here for lunch."

The manager blinked, glancing from Logan to Selina and back. His gaze lingered on Selina for two seconds before realization dawned.

"Oh... of course. Please, enjoy your meal."

Logan nodded evenly. "Mm."

Then he turned to Selina. "What do you want? I’ll walk with you."

The manager hurried back to the staff. "Okay, everyone—get back to eating!"

But as soon as he sat down, his professional expression cracked, and he couldn’t help but whisper,

"Mr. Reid’s actually here with Selina!"

"Mrs. Reid can eat in the cafeteria?"

"Who knows, maybe she’s just curious. Our cafeteria is nice enough, but I never thought Mr. Reid would actually show up..."

"Guess those rumors are true. Mr. Reid demoted Assistant Stone for her."

"Damn... note to self: don’t ever get on Miss Clark’s bad side."

...

Selina picked at a few things casually and found a seat in a relatively empty corner.

She glanced around, then lowered her voice conspiratorially.

"Logan, which cafeteria does Riley usually eat in?"

Luke’s fork froze mid-air.

Oh no. This can’t be good.

Logan gave her a calm, sideways glance. "This one. Same floor."

Selina’s eyes gleamed. "So Miss Nelson doesn’t likes to eat here? What a pity."

Luke: "..."

Wait. You’re not... you’re not planning to start something, are you?

PR Department Office.

Most people had already left, but Riley, as the Nelson family’s pampered heiress, would never lower herself to go eat in the cafeteria with everyone else.

Every meal she ate was prepared by the family’s personal chef and delivered.

Today, she’d even had the chef make an extra serving. She called the Executive Office’s secretary team lead to come downstairs.

When the team lead arrived, he saw Riley smiling as she held out a meal box. She spoke in that sweet, practiced tone:

"There was extra from home today. Logan always used to say he liked my family’s chef’s cooking. Could you do me a favor and take this up? Let him have a taste."

The team lead’s smile froze. "Um, well..."

Riley sighed softly. "I know I’m not allowed up to the sixtieth floor, that’s exactly why I’m asking you. Don’t worry, he won’t refuse. Logan and I are friends, he won’t embarrass me over something like this. Besides, he really does enjoy—"

"Actually, Miss Nelson." The secretary swallowed nervously. "Mr. Reid isn’t upstairs right now. He... he..."

Seeing Riley’s expression darken, he hesitated before finishing carefully: "He went to the cafeteria."

Riley’s face went stiff.

What?!

Logan went to the cafeteria?!

Her first thought was that the secretary was lying to avoid helping her.

"Logan? Go to the cafeteria? Don’t be ridiculous. That place is for the lower-level staff. Don’t try to feed me such nonsense."

The secretary’s expression also hardened.

Reid Group’s cafeteria was famous in the industry. The entire executive office ate there.

Lower-level staff?

In Miss Nelson’s eyes, apparently only Mr. Reid was worthy of speaking to her at all. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

His voice turned cold.

"Miss Nelson, what would I gain from lying to you? Everyone on the sixtieth floor knows Mr. Reid went with Miss Clark to the cafeteria because she said she wanted to try it."

"Also, this is our lunch break. I’m not your subordinate right now. Please don’t order me around outside of work hours."

With that, he didn’t spare her another glance and turned on his heel to leave.

Riley’s fists clenched so hard her knuckles whitened.

A secretary dared talk to her like that? Just wait until she was the mistress of Reid Group...

Damn it. Why would Logan go with Selina to the cafeteria?!

Selina really is a backwater hick—actually wanting to eat there!

Riley took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face.

She straightened her back, clicked her heels, and headed toward the cafeteria.

...

Selina had only just taken two bites when a hush fell over the entire room.

She looked back, one eyebrow arching.

Riley was approaching, wearing her most warm, friendly smile.

People around them swallowed nervously.

"Miss Nelson? What brings you here?"

What was going on today?

First Logan, now Riley? Everyone’s coming to the cafeteria?!

Riley’s voice was gentle, all perfect heiress sweetness.

"I heard Reid Group’s cafeteria has an excellent reputation in the industry, so I thought I’d come try it out myself..."

She spoke lightly, but her eyes were scanning the room, clearly searching for someone.

When she finally spotted them, her eyes lit up and she walked quickly forward.

"Logan! What a coincidence, you’re here too?"