Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Stirring Up Discord

Avery’s expression brightened the moment she heard Natalia’s name.

"Mr. Gray, you remember me? We met at the Carter Family banquet last time. Yes, I’m her cousin! Selina insisted that you only know Natalia because of her, and I couldn’t stand hearing such nonsense—"

"You think Selina was wrong?" Justin’s voice turned cold.

Avery hesitated for a moment. "O-of course! How could someone like her possibly know you?"

Justin let out a sharp laugh. "Miss Bryant, I just said that Selina is my distinguished guest. Did you not understand?"

Avery’s smile stiffened.

Of course, she had heard him loud and clear—she just didn’t want to believe it.

How could Selina—that nobody—possibly be Justin’s honored guest? What right did she have?

Justin scoffed, "Since you seem to understand now, then I have to ask—on what grounds did you think Selina was unworthy of working with me?"

Avery was stunned.

Justin was defending Selina? Why? Jealousy and frustration churned inside her. "Because Natalia said—"

Justin cut her off sharply.

"I returned to this country for the partnership that Ms. Victoria proposed twenty years ago. That partnership is being handled by Selina."

"You were there at the Carter Family banquet, Miss Bryant. You heard it yourself. Have you suddenly lost your memory?"

"But if you forgot, let me remind you again—"

Justin’s voice was calm but merciless.

"Natalia is nothing more than an illegitimate child, and yet she dares to flaunt this partnership as if it belongs to her?"

The entire room fell silent.

So that was the truth!

It made perfect sense—the Gray Family’s partnership was originally with Victoria. What did Natalia have to do with it?

Natalia had been running around, acting as if she was Justin’s close associate—what a joke!

Avery’s mind was in turmoil.

But that’s not what Natalia said!

Natalia had told her that Justin only cooperated with Clark Group out of respect for her. She never mentioned Selina at all!

How could this be happening?!

"Looks like my dear sister lied to you."

Selina’s voice was light and unbothered.

"Oh, Avery, I almost feel bad for you. Natalia spends all her time bragging in front of you—but it turns out she was bragging about something fake."

"And the worst part? You believed her. You marched up to me, thinking you could act superior, only to embarrass yourself."

"Honestly, if my dear sister hadn’t deceived you, you wouldn’t have offended Mr. Gray like this."

Offended Mr. Gray.

Avery’s face turned bright red. She wanted to argue, but deep inside, a voice told her—Selina was right.

If Natalia hadn’t been so vain and made up all those lies to show off, Avery wouldn’t be humiliating herself right now.

It was all Natalia’s fault!

Panic rose in Avery’s chest. Her voice was shaky, "Mr. Gray, I—I didn’t know! I really didn’t know! Natalia lied to me!"

Justin smirked coldly.

Avery was desperate. She blurted out, "I just came here to buy a landscape painting! Please don’t take offense—I swear, I had no idea... It’s all Natalia’s fault!"

Selina’s eyes flashed—she had achieved exactly what she wanted.

But she decided to push a little further.

"Justin, forget it. Avery didn’t do it on purpose."

Justin raised an eyebrow. That didn’t sound like Selina at all.

And sure enough—

Selina continued, her voice innocent and soft.

"But I do think you should ask Avery to leave. She has sticky fingers."

Justin narrowed his eyes.

Selina sighed. "Last time at the Carter Family banquet, she stole Natalia’s bracelet and planted it in my bag to frame me."

"The paintings here are priceless treasures. If she steals something again, or worse—tries to frame someone else, what will we do? No one here wants to deal with that kind of trouble."

The atmosphere in the room shifted.

Everyone’s gazes toward Avery turned suspicious.

"She stole Natalia’s bracelet... and tried to frame Clark’s eldest daughter?"

"Mr. Gray, this place holds rare and invaluable artwork—what if she pulls the same trick here?"

"She walked in acting so high and mighty, but turns out, she’s just a thief crying thief!"