CHAPTER 464: TARNISHED REPUTATION

"Mrs. Reid, this bag was already paid for by Mrs. Wilson. If you like, we have many more exclusive, high-end purses upstairs. Why don’t you come take a look with me?"

The GM store manager knew he couldn’t afford to offend "Selina," so he spoke with a humble tone, trying to reason with her.

"Once a product is sold, it’s against our policy to take it back. Don’t you agree, Mrs. Reid?"

But the woman ignored him completely, smug and dismissive. She shot a condescending glance at Mrs. Wilson.

"It’s not like I can’t afford this bag. I’ll pay more if I have to. Mrs. Wilson, a word of advice—don’t mess with me. Otherwise, when Logan gets here, you’ll regret it."

Mrs. Wilson was fuming, her face red with anger. But she had to admit the fake Selina was right—neither she nor the Wilson family could afford to go against Logan.

"You’re out of line! Mr. Reid would never let you get away with this kind of bandit behavior—just grabbing whatever you want!"

The woman rolled her eyes.

"I told you I’d pay for it. Why are you so pressed? What, you trying to squeeze money out of me? Whatever, I’m done talking. Logan will deal with you when he arrives."

By the time Logan arrived, this was the scene he walked into.

His expression turned cold instantly.

Selina was still in Jacob’s hands, and here this imposter was—parading around, abusing her identity and trashing her reputation.

"I didn’t realize I was supposed to scold Mrs. Wilson for this nonsense," Logan said flatly, walking into the store.

The room fell silent.

The woman lit up the moment she saw him and tried to take his arm, but Logan smoothly stepped aside.

He nodded slightly.

"Jack, have this bag packed up and delivered to Mrs. Wilson. And send along a gift as our apology. Mrs. Wilson, I’ll be covering your purchases today—my apologies for the trouble."

Mrs. Wilson had braced herself to be snubbed, but Logan’s gesture left her stunned. She accepted the bag, her expression finally softening.

On her way out, she passed Logan and hesitated before offering a diplomatic warning: "Mr. Reid, sometimes spoiling your wife too much... well, Mrs. Reid is getting a little out of hand."

Logan knew Mrs. Wilson didn’t know the truth. He replied calmly,

"I understand, but Selina isn’t the type to be spoiled."

Mrs. Wilson gave him a complicated look, the kind that said, There’s no saving a man in love, then turned and walked off.

Logan didn’t care what people thought of him. But Selina’s name—her dignity—meant everything to him.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the woman.

"Let’s go home."

He was just about to lead her out when the manager hesitantly stepped forward, voice trembling, "Mr. Reid, um... Mrs. Reid has spent over three million here today. Would you like to pay by card or—?"

Jack’s brows furrowed, his eyes flashing with disgust.

Logan let out a cold laugh, looking at the woman with deliberate calm.

"Over three million?"

Before she could say anything, he waved a hand.

"Jack, pay it."

The woman had been nervous at first, but when Logan paid so casually, she felt reassured. Clearly, Logan spoiled "Selina." Emboldened, she snapped, "Why did you give that bag to Mrs. Wilson? Don’t you know they all look down on me? I thought you loved me—why wouldn’t you give it to me?"

Logan’s gaze stayed cool, his smile unreadable.

"I’m curious—what made you suddenly take a liking to that bag?"

The woman froze.

Logan continued, voice smooth and casual, "I remember you saying you hated that kind of luxury style. Last time I brought you here, you didn’t like anything."

He paused, then added meaningfully, "It hasn’t even been two weeks. Funny how much your taste has changed."

The woman’s back went rigid, and cold sweat broke out instantly.

"Logan, I just..."

"Relax, I was joking," Logan said casually. "Why so nervous?"

He spoke slowly. "The banquet’s tomorrow. Go get ready."

"Yes, the banquet..." The woman forced an awkward smile. "That’s actually why I came—wanted to pick out a few bags that looked more elegant. Logan, don’t misunderstand."

After the woman left, a few ladies nearby frowned and whispered among themselves.

"What’s up with Mrs. Reid’s attitude today?"

"Yeah, she was never like this before. Did she really just snatch Mrs. Wilson’s purchase in public? Like a thief?"

"Maybe now that she’s got Mr. Reid backing her, she’s stopped pretending."

Logan slowly closed his eyes. A flash of murderous intent crossed his gaze.

But it wasn’t time yet. He couldn’t expose her... not now.

"Jack," he said coolly, "clean this up."

Jack stepped forward to smooth things over. The ladies, having overheard Logan, didn’t dare stir up more drama. They swallowed their doubts for now, and Logan made sure they received generous compensation. The incident never made it out.

"Sir, we’ve protected Madam’s reputation this time," Jack said quietly, "but if that imposter keeps this up..."

"I know," Logan replied flatly. "That’s why we need to act fast."

He kept his tone calm. "Tomorrow, we push them to slip up themselves."

...

Meanwhile, in Jacob’s villa.

Jacob strolled over with a faint smile. "Selina, I’ve arranged an identity for you. A distant relative of the Carter Family—my cousin’s niece."

Selina didn’t even look at him.

Jacob didn’t mind. "When you see my father tomorrow, remember to call him Grandpa Carter. I believe you used to call him that, didn’t you?"

Selina rested her chin on her hand, smirking. "Oh? Then how exactly does Mr. Carter plan to have me attend the banquet? Wearing a mask? Covered head to toe? Because once this face shows up, I don’t think you’ll have a decent explanation."

"No need to worry about that," Jacob said smoothly. "Do you know why that woman was able to impersonate you so well?"

A bad feeling crept into Selina’s chest.

"I’ve got a drug," Jacob said, "It temporarily alters your facial appearance. Don’t worry—tomorrow, you won’t look like this. Even if Logan stood right in front of you, he wouldn’t recognize you."

Selina scoffed. "Carter Family are artists and scholars, since when do you dabble in fantasy meds?"

A drug that could change someone’s face? Plastic surgeons would be out of business.

Jacob chuckled lowly. "The drug was originally developed for cosmetic surgery. The research was abandoned halfway, the head researcher refused to continue. So it’s technically a prototype."

He swirled a glass of water in his hand. "The effects only last a few days. Drink this, and I’ll take you to the banquet. You’ll get to see Logan."

"If you don’t drink it, you’ll stay here in the villa. You know which to choose."

Selina narrowed her eyes, snatched the glass, and downed it in one gulp.

Almost immediately, her face started to tingle—itchy, dry, sore, hypersensitive.

Jacob gently began wrapping her face in gauze. "Tomorrow, you’ll have a brand new face."