Chapter 534: Presumptuous
Logan slowed his steps, realizing she was upset. He quickened his pace, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "Selina."
Selina got into the car, propping her elbow against the window. "So... you do know Miss Paula?"
Logan slid in beside her, leaning down slightly until his forehead rested against hers. "I don’t know her. I’ve never even met her."
"Never met her, yet she’s head over heels for you—ignoring the fact that you’re married, insisting she must have you?"
Logan let out a soft, exasperated laugh. "I truly haven’t met her. But I can’t say if she’s ever seen me. I’ve worked with Duke William twice, and I’ve been to the royal palace in Country Y fairly often."
Selina pursed her lips, still feeling uneasy.
Lowering his voice, Logan said, "I promise you this—I won’t have any entanglement with Paula. My cooperation with Duke William has already ended, and I won’t work with him again. As for Paula’s behavior..."
Selina caught the undertone in his words. "Don’t tell me Paula acts this outrageously back in her own country too?"
True, as Duke William’s daughter, her status was noble. But this wasn’t the Middle Ages—royalty couldn’t just disregard basic respect for others. Paula set her sights on a married man and openly insulted his wife? Would Country Y really tolerate that?
And from the way Paula behaved, it was obvious this wasn’t her first time. She must’ve bullied plenty of girls more beautiful than her. A few cutting words would be bad enough, but with her power and influence, it wasn’t hard to imagine how many young women had suffered at her hands in silence.
Logan gave a low hum. "Paula and Duke William hold a... special position. The royal family indulges them. And since Paula is close with the princess of Country Y, the princess often covers for her. That’s why Paula has become increasingly lawless—whatever she wants, she takes."
"But Selina," he continued, his tone calm yet resolute, "you don’t need to trouble yourself over her. Country Y may tolerate her, but here in Country M, she has no right to bully our people. If she dares lay a hand on you, strike her back tenfold. Whatever comes of it—I’ll take responsibility."
Selina nodded, then asked curiously, "So what exactly is so special about her and Duke William’s status?"
Logan replied, "That’s a royal secret. I don’t know."
Selina hadn’t expected a clear answer anyway. She tilted her head again. "And the princess—what’s her relationship with Paula?"
"She’s Paula’s cousin."
Selina scoffed under her breath. "Figures. Just a family of bullies throwing their weight around."
But then another thought struck her.
"Why would Amelia know Paula? One’s a royal, the other’s just the Perry Family’s adopted daughter. They shouldn’t even cross paths. Yet the moment Paula came to City A, she went straight to Amelia. That’s odd."
Logan’s eyes narrowed. "According to Duke William, Amelia once saved Paula’s life."
Selina’s expression turned unreadable.
Amelia saving Paula? More likely she had sniffed out Paula’s identity and saw profit in it. With Amelia’s nature, she’d never risk herself for a stranger without something to gain.
Logan gave a cold laugh. "The story goes that when Paula was a child, Amelia saved her from death. A tale from more than a decade, maybe two, ago."
Selina found it even less believable.
"What if Amelia tries to use Grandma Perry against you again?" Selina asked, fixing her gaze on him. "When do you plan to pull the net on the trap you’ve set?"
Logan’s lips curved faintly.
...
Meanwhile, back at the Reid estate.
Paula’s face could no longer be described as "unpleasant"—it was downright ugly with frustration.
She had wanted Logan. Instead, she was given Owen.
Owen, whose looks couldn’t compare to Logan’s. Whose figure couldn’t compare to Logan’s. Whose abilities couldn’t compare to Logan’s. And yet he had the audacity to boast about accompanying her shopping?
Owen, worthy of me?
Amelia’s expression was equally sour.
Owen was her only beloved son. In her eyes, Owen was the best—how could that illegitimate Logan ever compare? And yet Paula dared to look down on Owen?
But Amelia still had to rely on Paula. Forcing down her irritation, she asked, "Miss Paula, do you still want to go shopping?"
"Shopping? What for! Didn’t you say Logan would definitely accompany me? Clearly, he doesn’t care about me at all! You’re his mother—why doesn’t he listen to you?"
Amelia was sick to death of Paula.
If not for the fact that Paula was Duke William’s daughter, and if Amelia hadn’t built up benefits by posing as her supposed "savior," she would never have lowered herself to humor this woman.
The truth was, Amelia’s ability to withstand Grandma Perry’s pressure and enjoy such favor in the Perry Family was all thanks to William. Because she was Paula’s "lifesaver," Duke William had helped her suppress Anna. And with that connection in place, she thought sending Logan away was the perfect plan.
Paula wanted Logan. Duke William wanted a marriage alliance with the Reid Family—and he had specifically named Logan.
With Paula’s arrogance, once the marriage alliance was sealed, Logan would have to leave for Country Y, marrying into the royal family. He’d be barred from doing business, barred from controlling the Reid Group.
The benefits of this alliance would all fall into Owen’s lap. It was only fair—Logan’s sacrifice would be for Owen’s glory.
So Amelia dared not show Paula her annoyance. Her eyes flickered, and she deliberately said, "Miss Paula, Logan is indeed my son, and he does listen to me. But now that Selina is at his side... you don’t understand this woman..."
Amelia sighed theatrically. "Her tricks are far too powerful. Ever since Logan married her, he hasn’t been close to me as his mother. Miss Paula, I’ll be honest with you—this marriage alliance is hopeless. Selina will never allow it."
Paula, as royalty of Country Y and the duke’s daughter, had never failed to get what she wanted. At Amelia’s words, she gave a mocking laugh. "The one who should get lost is Selina! So what if they’re married? Since ancient times, if a princess wanted a man, even a married one, he had to divorce!"
Her royal status was nearly equal to that of a princess, and with her cousin’s indulgence and the royal family’s "debt" to her father, Paula walked through life unchecked. So what if the man she wanted had a wife?
She was being merciful enough not to kill Selina outright. Forcing her to divorce was already "giving her face."
Amelia’s eyes gleamed.
She knew Paula well—jealous, petty, puffed up with her royal title, treating herself as above all others, never valuing anyone’s life.
Feigning hesitation, Amelia said, "But Selina is difficult to deal with. If you try to talk to her, she won’t listen..."
Paula grew restless. She recalled all the stories her cousin, the princess, had told her—how she was the duke’s daughter and could do as she pleased.
At first, she had only planned to make Selina divorce. But Amelia’s words shifted her resolve.
Now she wanted Selina dead—dead, so she could never stand in her way again.
...
After leaving the Reid estate, Paula and Amelia stayed quiet for a few days.
But three nights later, a phone call came through to Logan’s cell.
"Logan, come quickly to the Perry Family estate—Amelia and Miss Paula are causing a scene in front of the old madam!"