Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35: The Shameless Deadbeat Father

Victoria’s daughter?!

The executives in the meeting room exchanged confused glances before their eyes turned to Selina.

Katie’s face burned hot with humiliation. Noah’s bluntness was like a slap across her and her daughter’s faces.

"But... but didn’t you already agree with Ryan to collaborate with Natalia? I understand that you and Selina are friends, but Mr. Brown, you can’t go back on your word! My poor daughter, oh..." Katie’s sobs filled the room.

Noah, visibly irritated by her theatrics, frowned in disgust. "I agreed to collaborate with the true heiress of the Clark family. Surely none of you believe that this illegitimate child is the real heiress, do you?"

"Where did you get the audacity to have an illegitimate child pose as the rightful daughter? Was it this mistress here who gave you the idea?"

The room fell into uncomfortable silence as the realization dawned on everyone.

Noah’s intended partner wasn’t Natalia but Selina—the true Clark family heiress. The family had simply assumed Noah meant Natalia, but that assumption was now unraveling.

Natalia, born just a month after Selina and as an illegitimate child, had quietly claimed the title of "heiress" for herself. But how could she presume to take Selina’s place?

Katie’s face was pale with panic as she stammered, "No, no, this must be a misunderstanding—we must’ve gotten it wrong..."

Selina raised an eyebrow, cutting her off with a bright smile as she turned to Natalia.

"Sorry, sister. It seems Mr. Brown specifically asked for my mother’s daughter. Are you so addicted to stealing what isn’t yours that you’re ready to swap mothers too? Mrs. Bryant is right next to you, and yet you’re eager to claim someone else’s mom."

Natalia’s eyes widened with fury. "I’m not—"

"Oh, so you and Mrs. Bryant already claimed my achievements, and now Dad’s letting it slide too?" Selina turned to James, her smile tinged with mockery. "Dad, you really thought Natalia deserved the credit for this? You don’t find Mr. Brown’s words surprising at all?"

The crowd nodded in agreement. Noah had repeatedly referred to the "heiress." Surely, as their father, James knew which of his daughters was the elder?

James’s blood pressure shot up, his face turning red as he stammered, "Selina, it must’ve been a misunderstanding. Ryan must’ve miscommunicated, and that’s why I didn’t think of you at first!"

Selina tilted her head. "Oh, so now you know the truth. And then?"

James felt like he was on the verge of collapsing. His rebellious daughter was forcing him to take a side in front of everyone!

Yet if he continued to defend Natalia, he’d lose the partnership entirely...

Gritting his teeth, James finally said, "Selina, this collaboration is all thanks to your efforts. I’ll remember that. During the partnership, you’ll take charge of coordinating with Mr. Brown."

Katie nearly lost her mind, screaming hysterically despite the setting. "No! What about Natalia? She can’t—ah!"

James quickly clamped his hand over Katie’s mouth and forced a strained smile at Noah. "Mr. Brown, please don’t misunderstand. Katie’s just a little emotional—she didn’t mean anything by it. Selina, why don’t you take Mr. Brown for a site inspection later?"

Selina smiled contentedly. "Of course. Mr. Brown, shall we head to the office?"

With that, she led the way out of the meeting room. The other attendees quickly began to disperse in twos and threes.

Only after the room cleared did James release Katie, shouting furiously, "Have you lost your mind? How could you say that in front of Noah?!"

Katie burst into tears. "James, we can’t let this happen! The news is already out that Natalia is leading the collaboration. If Selina takes over, what will happen to Natalia?"

Natalia bit her lip, feigning reluctance. "I don’t want to compete with Sister, but I’m about to marry Ryan. If I lose face, it’ll reflect poorly on him too. I’m worried Sister’s actions will only make the Carter family resent me even more."

James fell silent, taking a moment to calm down. He knew he couldn’t let Selina take all the credit.