Chapter 537: Desperate for Attention Everywhere
The news managed to calm the Perry Group—for the moment. But Amelia added one condition:
Paula wanted a marriage alliance with Logan.
Once the alliance was sealed, under Country Y’s laws, Logan would be forced to surrender all his shares and inheritance rights. From then on, he would be nothing more than Miss Paula’s "consort"—a royal son-in-law with no real power.
The benefits to both the Perry Group and the Reid Group, however, would be very real.
Only two shareholders opposed the idea. The rest thought it was perfectly reasonable—after all, wasn’t it Logan’s honor to sacrifice himself for the good of the Perry Group?
Amelia even put on a sanctimonious face. "Because I once saved Miss Paula’s life, so..."
...
When Grandma Perry learned of Amelia’s scheme, she only let out a cold laugh, offering no comment.
"Madam, lunch is ready," a servant announced.
When she entered the dining room, she noticed Riley there as well. It surprised her, though it also felt expected.
"Madam," Riley greeted, already aware of Amelia’s so-called arrangement. She feigned solidarity, as though she and the old lady shared the same outrage. "Amelia has gone too far. How could she treat Logan’s marriage as a bargaining chip?"
"Madam, shall I have my brother sound out Duke William’s intentions?"
Riley gave a concerned sigh. "Logan is already married to Selina—how could they ruin such a bond? I only wonder if Selina must be heartbroken."
Grandma Perry’s expression hardly changed. "Logan will handle it. Miss Nelson, you needn’t worry. And if anyone should worry, it’s Selina."
Riley’s smile faltered for a beat. "I only worry because I’m their friend, but... you’re right."
When Selina entered the dining room and saw Riley sitting opposite, her brow arched ever so slightly.
With Riley still there, the four of them sat down together. Logan, without hesitation, cut Selina’s steak for her, a gesture so natural it needed no thought.
Across the table, Riley’s eyes darkened, her jealousy barely masked.
She had been Logan’s childhood companion, close to him thanks to her family’s ties with Hunter. While other women found Logan distant, she had always believed there would be a place beside him reserved for her.
She had waited all these years. Endured all this time. She had never regarded women like Bella—or even Paula—with any seriousness.
Paula? What did she count for? A political marriage? No one could force Logan into that if he didn’t want it.
So Riley had waited, certain that each foolish woman who tried to win Logan would be eliminated in turn—until finally, she alone would remain.
But she hadn’t anticipated Selina.
Selina...
Riley’s eyes gleamed darkly, though she forced a smile. "Logan, Selina, did you sleep well last night?"
Selina raised a brow. "Well enough. Why?"
Riley gave a weary sigh. "I just heard about Miss Paula... Selina, don’t worry too much. Everything has a way of working itself out."
Selina’s smile was cool, meaningful. "I’m not worried. And neither should you be, Miss Nelson."
Riley bit down on her lip.
Logan, for his part, acted as if he hadn’t even heard her—his gaze never once flickered her way.
Riley seethed inside. She couldn’t outshine Selina... but could she really lose even to Paula? No—she would show herself to be generous and kind by stepping over Paula. As for Selina...
Her eyes chilled, but her lips curved as she changed the subject. "Madam, a new shopping mall just opened. Would you like to go? Pick out a few things to lift your spirits?"
Grandma Perry paused, then finally nodded. "That might be nice."
Riley’s face lit with satisfaction—only for the old madam to add, "Selina should come along too. If you see something you like, Grandmother will buy it for you."
Selina tilted her head, chuckling lightly. "All right. Thank you, Grandma."
Riley’s smile stiffened, dimming by a fraction.
But she didn’t protest. Instead, she simply arranged for a car.
An hour later, the car stopped in front of the mall.
Riley linked arms with Grandma Perry. The mall manager hurried out to greet them. "Miss Nelson, you’ve arrived. Shall I escort you to the VIP section, or would you prefer to browse first?"
Riley answered with poised elegance, "I’ll accompany Grandma Perry for a casual look around. Don’t mind us. Madam, let’s go inside."
Nearby, some guests whispered among themselves.
"Isn’t that Grandma Perry?"
"Did you hear what happened yesterday with the Perry Family? If not for Riley, Grandma Perry might have been driven to her grave from sheer fury."
"Grandpa Perry and Amelia were outrageous..."
"But Riley’s not bad. I heard she never liked Amelia from the start, never had much to do with her. She even said publicly that in her eyes, the only true Perry daughter was Anna."
"No wonder the old madam favors her. She carries herself with dignity, never tried to curry favor with Amelia when Amelia was riding high, and now she’s even saved the old madam’s life."
"Wait a second—who’s that? Selina?"
Their gazes shifted to the woman stepping out of the car behind, and their faces showed surprise.
Everyone knew, despite Riley’s repeated claims that she would never be a mistress nor interfere in Logan and Selina’s marriage, she had always been Logan’s true childhood sweetheart. If Selina hadn’t appeared, it might very well have been Riley who married Mr. Reid.
And Riley had never hidden her affection. Only after Logan’s marriage had she "stepped back."
Now Riley and Selina stepping out of the same car... well, well, this was going to be interesting.
And more than that—
"Look, Grandma Perry and Miss Nelson are walking arm-in-arm, while Selina’s left trailing behind. The old madam’s stance couldn’t be clearer."
"A marriage without the elders’ blessing won’t last. Grandma Perry is the elder Mr. Reid respects most. If she insists on making Miss Nelson her granddaughter-in-law, what happens to Selina?"
The manager and staff bustled around Riley, treating her like the center of the universe as they ushered her inside.
Selina remained silent for a moment, watching their backs. "..."
Tsk. Was Riley losing her head today? Resorting to such a low tactic? Hadn’t she always disdained "cheap tricks," priding herself on being different from the likes of Bella and Paula?
Selina made no move to force her way to Grandma Perry’s side—Riley would never give her that chance anyway.
Riley’s aim was clear: she wanted everyone Logan cared about to care more for her—and she wanted all of City A to know that she, Riley, was the one Logan’s elders truly favored as his future wife.
"Selina."
Grandma Perry, uncomfortable with the scene, didn’t want Selina left isolated. But with Riley carrying the Hunter family connection and after last night’s events, when Riley had undeniably helped her, she couldn’t simply dismiss Riley. So she called out.
"Selina, if you see anything you like, go ahead and browse. Both of you children don’t need to stick by me—pick out some clothes you like."