CHAPTER 469: FAKING IT? WHO CAN’T?

Selina’s whole body felt weak, her mind a blur.

As she nearly drowned in the tenderness of his kiss, Logan finally let her go and gently smoothed her damp, tousled hair.

The next second, the lights came back on.

The guests in the ballroom calmed down. The clinking of glasses resumed as if the blackout had been a mere blip in the evening.

Selina’s cheeks were still flushed, her lips glossy. Her legs were so unsteady she had to lean on Logan just to stay upright—let alone keep dancing.

Logan chuckled softly. "Selina, what’s wrong?"

Selina shot him a sharp glare. How dare he ask that? He had the nerve after what he just did?

She had warned him that people were around, and yet...

But now it was too late. And sure enough, someone nearby, clearly eager to curry favor with the Carter Family, noticed her flushed face and asked:

"Miss Carter, are you alright? Your face is so red. Is the ballroom too warm?"

Selina clenched her teeth, trying to think of an excuse, but Logan calmly answered for her.

"She got a little scared when the power went out."

The guest looked puzzled—wasn’t fear supposed to make someone pale, not flushed?

Logan ignored them, turning to Selina instead. "Shall we keep dancing?"

Selina: "..."

People watched the two of them walk away, a bit confused.

Something about Miss Sophia’s steps... didn’t seem quite right.

...

After the dance, Logan led her to a seating area to rest.

A server brought two glasses of red wine. Selina took a small sip before hearing Logan ask, "What’s up with your face?"

Selina pinched her cheek. "Jacob gave me some kind of drug. Said it would temporarily change my appearance. It’s wild—I drank it and ended up like this."

Logan lowered his eyes. "So that fake one—did she take the same drug?"

Selina narrowed her gaze. "Probably not. Jacob didn’t even know what I’d look like after taking it. How could he be sure someone else would turn into me?"

The drug was too unpredictable.

A thought struck her. "When you were with the Carter Family... did you ever hear of them working on stuff like this?"

Logan gave a short laugh. "No. But since more than twenty years ago, the Carter Family has definitely had ties to some pharmaceutical research institute."

Selina nodded. That made sense—otherwise, how would they have found Logan with such precision and raised him as Jacob’s personal blood bank?

"Looking like this, there’s no way I can go home with you," she said, resting her chin on her hand. "Especially when you already have another ’Selina’ by your side."

"So tonight, I’ll still go back with Jacob. Everyone knows me as Sophia now—I can’t just vanish. Carter Family won’t hurt me."

Logan’s lips were pressed into a hard line, unreadable.

Selina blinked. "And besides, to take down the fake, you need to know your enemy, right?"

"That woman recognized me instantly. She knew I was the real Selina. She’s clearly tied to the Carter Family. And Jacob kidnapping me? That wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment thing. It was planned—carefully."

"If I want to figure out what the Carter Family’s up to, I have to go into the lion’s den. There’s no other way."

"We can’t let the fake stay by your side forever. We need a real way to expose her."

Selina thought she’d explained everything clearly. She had valid reasons for returning to the Carter Family.

But the man beside her stayed silent.

Finally, after a long pause, he spoke.

"Mrs. Reid, I’m worried about you."

Selina froze for a moment.

Logan slowly lifted his gaze. "I understand everything you’re saying. To expose the imposter, we’ll have to wait until your face returns to how it was. And whatever Carter Family is scheming, we won’t uncover it without going deeper."

"But, Mrs. Reid... I’ll still worry."

Logan knew the logic. He got it.

But that didn’t stop him from worrying.

Why did Selina have to be the one to carry all of this? What if she got hurt staying with the Carter Family? He’d thought today would be the day he could finally take her home—but instead, they had to pretend she was his niece.

Now, with a completely different face and the identity of "Sophia," she’d been publicly accepted by Old Mr. Carter and Jacob. If they said she was part of the Carter Family, who would dare question it?

What right did he have to take someone else’s "family member" away?

"Logan, I’ve missed you. I’ve been thinking about you these past few days... so much that I couldn’t sleep."

Selina pressed her lips together. "That’s why I have to deal with that fake. I can’t let her take my place and enjoy everything that should’ve been mine."

Logan closed his eyes briefly. "I know."

"Selina... just hold on a little longer. I’ll bring you home soon."

Selina smiled, just about to respond—when a sharp, bitter voice cut through from nearby—

"Logan, what could you and Miss Carter possibly be talking about that’s so enjoyable?"

The imposter had been upstairs waiting nervously, terrified Logan might’ve figured out the truth. Unable to sit still any longer, she hurried down the stairs—only to see him sitting with Selina.

A cold sweat broke out across her back. Panic gave way to fury. She clenched her teeth, then raised her voice deliberately to draw attention before finally stepping closer with a look of wounded heartbreak.

"I’ve been waiting for you upstairs, but you never came back. I didn’t expect you’d still be down here... chatting with Miss Carter."

She gave a sorrowful little sigh, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "I just wanted a little time with you. I don’t know many people here. But... never mind. You two go on chatting. I’ll just go back upstairs."

Several onlookers immediately felt bad for her.

"Mrs. Reid, don’t be upset... you haven’t been feeling well as it is..."

The imposter put on her best humble act. "It’s fine. Logan and Miss Carter clearly... never mind. I’ll go."

"Mrs. Reid! Honestly, Miss Carter, that wasn’t very considerate—even if it is the Carter Family’s party..."

"Shhh, don’t say that out loud. Everyone knows it’s the Carter Family’s event. You’re really going to cross a Carter?"

"Looks to me like someone’s using that whole ’niece’ thing to cover up something sketchy."

The imposter’s lips curled ever so slightly. Exactly the effect she wanted.

Selina—the real Mrs. Reid—was now the one being pushed aside. She had to be miserable, didn’t she? If she didn’t walk away now, she’d only be shamed harder. Ha...

"Mrs. Reid."

A cold female voice rang out behind her. The imposter froze.

Selina rested her chin on one hand and smiled, gesturing toward the seat beside Logan. "Your seat’s right here. Please—have a seat."

The imposter’s expression tightened. "You..."

"Oh, sorry," Selina said sweetly. "Your husband was just telling me the story of your great love. I got a little too absorbed in it."

She smiled wider.

Fake it?

Sure.

Two can play that game.