Riley smiled gently. "Logan, Selina. We meet again."
Logan didn’t spare her a glance. Selina said nothing either. Riley didn’t seem to mind, remaining poised and soft-spoken at Grandma Perry’s side.
Grandma Perry, already briefed on the situation, cast a sharp look at Grandpa Perry and sneered. "Hmph. Looks like your illegitimate sons aren’t much use either. Perry Group has been bleeding money for years, and now they’re plagiarizing? And not only that—Logan has to clean up the mess."
Grandpa Perry couldn’t swallow the insult. "What are you so smug about? That handbag line was supposed to go to Amelia. With things like this, how can we give it to her now? If Logan has a way to fix it, why shouldn’t he help?"
Grandma Perry’s tone turned mocking. "Oh, you sure care about what’s ’meant for Amelia.’"
"It’s only right!" Grandpa Perry said indignantly. "She’s your daughter too—you should help her—"
"Shut up!" Grandma Perry snapped, her gaze sharp as a blade.
"My only daughter is Anna, born legitimately into the Perry Family! I don’t care how many other ’daughters’ you made running around behind my back—don’t you dare drag them into my world."
Grandpa Perry’s face turned a deep red, his fingers trembling. "You’re unbelievable!"
She didn’t even look at him. Instead, she turned to Logan. "Logan, come walk with me in the garden."
Grandpa Perry’s expression soured, his fists clenched tightly.
After they left, Mrs. Perry the Fourth rushed forward, trying to stir things up. "Dad! Mom only listens to Logan now, not even you. How are we supposed to keep this up?"
Mr. Perry the Fourth chimed in, trying to sound reasonable. "We get that she misses Anna, we really do. But Anna’s gone. Shouldn’t Mom care more about the ones who are still alive? Logan’s clearly lost his sense of right and wrong."
...
In the garden, Grandma Perry looked pleased. "I had dinner prepared. Logan, Selina, stay and eat with me."
Logan gave a slight nod. Selina was about to agree when a slightly awkward voice cut in.
"Well then, Grandma Perry, I’ll be heading out. I don’t want to intrude on your dinner with Logan and Selina," Riley said, half-smiling.
Grandma Perry seemed to only then remember she was still there. Since Riley was a guest, it wouldn’t be polite to send her away.
She nodded. "You should stay too, Riley. We owe you thanks for today."
"You’re too kind. I grew up with Logan—you’re like a grandmother to me. I’d never hesitate to help you."
Every word Riley spoke hinted at deep familiarity with Logan. Selina narrowed her eyes.
When the food was served, Riley helped Grandma Perry plate her meal. Grandma Perry patted her hand. "That’s enough, dear. Eat your own food."
"I don’t mind, ma’am. We haven’t seen each other in years—I’m just grateful I have the chance to show a little care."
Riley moved like she belonged in the house—directing the staff, pouring water, passing dishes. She looked like the lady of the manor.
"Selina, don’t forget to eat," Riley said as she sat down, then added casually, as if something had just occurred to her, "Mr. Perry the Fourth really suffered a loss today. He probably won’t bother Logan anymore. Oh—Selina, Vivian hasn’t been giving you trouble, has she?"
Selina’s brows arched slightly. Why was Riley suddenly bringing up Vivian? "Why?"
Riley feigned outrage. "You probably don’t know, but Vivian is the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry the Fourth. She’s had a crush on Logan since she was a kid. And her adoptive mother never stopped her—in fact, she quietly encouraged it. Now that you’re married to Logan, Vivian won’t take it well. You need to be careful."
Riley took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Is that so? Good... I guess I was just worried for nothing."
As the meal wrapped up and Grandma Perry was about to rise, the butler approached with a smile. "Ma’am, you were right. The old man plans to cover the loss with his own money."
Selina blinked. The handbag brand was clearly unsalvageable, and yet Grandpa Perry still wanted to bail it out? For Amelia?
Grandma Perry confirmed her suspicion with a cold laugh. "If we hadn’t done a paternity test, I’d think Amelia was his real daughter. Look at him—throwing away his dignity like that."
Selina’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the latest headline.
Grandpa Perry had publicly apologized, promised to pull all plagiarized products off the shelves, offered a formal apology and compensation to Rowan totaling over a hundred million. Mr. and Mrs. Perry the Fourth had meekly taken the blame without once mentioning that the real person running the brand was Amelia.
This whole family was really willing to burn themselves for an adopted daughter.
"Please don’t be upset, Grandma Perry," Riley said gently. "At least they learned their lesson, didn’t they?"
"And the company was saved, even if its reputation’s trashed."
Grandma Perry nodded. "Logan handled it well this time."
Riley lit up and quickly added, "Logan, I knew it had to be your doing. After all, you and Rowan—"
She paused, glancing at Selina mid-sentence, then gave a syrupy apology, her voice dripping with smugness.
"Oh, sorry. You haven’t told Selina yet, have you?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'