Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17: I Don’t Want to See You Sad

A man’s voice echoed through the microphone, filling every corner of the arts hall.

Everyone instantly turned their heads.

The organizer of the calligraphy competition rushed onto the stage. "Miss Clark, I’m sorry, but the award presenter has been changed. Please step down."

Natalia’s expression froze, but she quickly softened her tone. "This role has always been mine. Are you sure there’s been no mistake?"

"There’s no mistake! Someone influential demanded the presenter be replaced. Natalia, stop stalling and come with me!"

Natalia’s face darkened. Impossible! Replace her?

Ryan strode over, his brows furrowed as he snapped, "Who dares make changes without my approval? This isn’t the place for petty scheming. The presenter has already been decided, and it’s not subject to change!"

The organizer, wiping cold sweat from his forehead, stammered, "Actually, this role was originally—"

Ryan interrupted harshly, "This role was finalized by me! Do you even know who I am—"

The organizer, growing desperate, raised his voice, "Yes, I know you’re Mr. Carter. But this change was ordered by Old Mr. Carter himself!"

The room instantly fell silent. Natalia’s face turned pale.

Ryan’s eyes widened, disbelief evident in his voice. "That’s impossible! Don’t think you can just—"

"How is it impossible?"

Before Ryan could finish, a booming voice rang out backstage.

An elderly man in his seventies emerged, leaning on a cane and visibly angry. "I’m the one who replaced Natalia. What’s the matter? Do you have a problem with that?"

The crowd gasped. Wasn’t this the head of the Carter Family, Old Mr. Carter himself?

Ryan’s panic was evident as his voice softened considerably. "Grandfather, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"

"If I hadn’t come, who knows how much more Selina would’ve been wronged!" Old Mr. Carter exhaled deeply. "Selina, come here."

Selina stood frozen, stunned by his arrival. She hadn’t expected Grandpa Carter to show up. Wait—Logan had made a phone call earlier...

Her eyes shifted to Logan, who smirked and leaned in, his voice low. "Go on."

Not wanting to keep Old Mr. Carter waiting, Selina walked over.

Natalia’s eyes reddened as she called out, "Ryan..."

Ryan scowled and barked at Selina, "What did you say to Grandpa this time? Do you even realize how important this awards ceremony is? Stop causing trouble!"

"Shut up!" Old Mr. Carter roared, louder than anyone expected.

"Selina causing trouble? You gave her award presenter role to Natalia—was that not causing trouble?!"

The audience collectively gasped. So, the presenter role originally belonged to Selina?

And Natalia had just been flaunting it in front of her? Shameless!

Ryan’s tone weakened. "Grandpa, you don’t understand. Natalia has been through a lot too—"

"Been through a lot? Today, you drove her to City A University in a luxury car, letting her bask in all the attention! But Selina was your fiancée for over ten years. Did you ever do that for her even once?!"

Disappointment filled Old Mr. Carter’s gaze. "You’re so concerned about Natalia’s grievances. Do Selina’s grievances mean nothing to you?"

The onlookers glared at Ryan with disdain.

Unbelievable. Selina had been his fiancée, yet even before the engagement was officially broken off, he was already involved with Natalia, even stealing Selina’s rightful role for her.

And Natalia? Playing the part of the innocent goddess while scheming behind everyone’s back? Disgusting.

"Enough!" Old Mr. Carter declared. "I’ll present the award myself. You stay here and apologize to Selina. As for you..."

His sharp gaze landed on Natalia. "You’re nothing but a disgrace. Go back to wherever you came from!"

Old Mr. Carter let out an "oh," his tone casual. "He seems to care a lot about this calligraphy event. He’s probably around, but he’s busy, and I’m too tired to look for him. I’ll arrange for you two to have dinner at home next time."

Selina sighed in relief. That seemed fine.

But... why did it still feel a little strange?

She hesitated, gathering her courage to ask if the Carter Family heir’s name was Logan, but—

Old Mr. Carter suddenly clutched his chest, his breathing labored as he erupted into a fit of violent coughing.

Medical staff quickly surrounded him, helping him stabilize. Shaking his head with regret, Old Mr. Carter muttered, "This old ailment of mine has flared up again. You should head back. Come visit me in a few days."

Watching him board the car, Selina realized this wasn’t the right time to press him with questions.

Worried about his health, she took out her phone to message a friend, but just then, her phone rang.

Answering the call, she heard Grandpa Clark’s furious, disappointed voice.

"Selina, what’s wrong with you?! How can you cause trouble even while attending school? Do you know how many eyes are on Natalia right now? For the sake of the Clark Family, can’t you bear a little grievance? Natalia is your sister!"

Hearing his reprimand, Selina found it absurdly laughable.

Someone else’s grandfather was heartbroken over her suffering and wanted to stand up for her. Yet her own grandfather was questioning why she couldn’t swallow her pride.

Selina’s eyes turned icy. "Are you really my grandfather? Do you even see me as family?"

Grandpa Clark bristled with anger. "Selina, since when did you become so unreasonable? You—"

Beep.

The call ended abruptly as her phone was snatched away.

Logan had hung up without hesitation.

His cold, calm eyes swept over her as he spoke in a steady tone. "Miss Clark, you don’t need to waste your breath on people who don’t care about you. Because the people who do care about you don’t want to see you upset."