Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'-Chapter 437: Blind Fools

Selina narrowed her eyes. "You said the VIP who booked the whole place... is already here?"

"That’s right." The attendant was too busy thinking about how to cozy up to Miss Nelson to bother being polite to Selina. He waved his hand impatiently, ready to tell her to get lost—when he suddenly spotted two people approaching.

The attendant’s expression changed instantly. He hurried forward, all smiles. "Manager Sanders, Madam Nelson! What brings you out here? Do you need anything?"

Madam Nelson?

Selina turned and sure enough, there was Madam Nelson.

That was strange. Why was Madam Nelson here at a hotel she herself had booked out?

Madam Nelson spotted Selina too, and a wave of smug satisfaction rose in her chest.

Logan booked out the hotel. Her daughter was inside, while Selina was stuck outside.

Madam Nelson’s eyes gleamed. She let out a light laugh on purpose. "Manager Sanders, didn’t we reserve the entire place today? Why is there some random person at the entrance?"

Manager Sanders’ face fell. He frowned at the attendant, voice sharp. "What’s going on? Didn’t I tell you not to let anyone else near the entrance?"

The attendant immediately sold Selina out. "This lady insisted she booked the Sky Garden for today. I explained the hotel’s been booked out, but she wouldn’t believe me and wouldn’t leave."

People nearby started looking over. The attendant’s explanation made it sound like Selina was just refusing to leave—embarrassing herself.

Sanders’ gaze turned disdainful.

Another one trying to hitch a connection to the rich and powerful.

But HM Hotel wasn’t the kind of place you could bluff your way into.

"Apologies, miss. We’re hosting important guests today," Sanders said icily. "Please leave within three minutes. Otherwise, we’ll have to escort you out."

He immediately switched to a fawning smile for Madam Nelson. "Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone disturb Miss Nelson. Madam, it’s windy outside. Let’s head upstairs."

Madam Nelson was satisfied. She swept Selina an arrogant glance, ego swelling, and said in a faux-sympathetic tone:

"Miss Clark, it’s not that we don’t want to let you in, but HM Hotel has strict rules. When a booking is made, it’s exclusive. If I let you in now, wouldn’t that break the rules? Everyone knows HM Hotel is trustworthy."

Manager Sanders nodded along with feigned humility. "Thank you, Madam Nelson, for your kind words."

Others nearby murmured in agreement. HM Hotel did have that reputation: once a booking was confirmed, even the rich and powerful had to wait their turn.

And who was Selina, to think the hotel would break its rules for her?

Madam Nelson raised her chin. "Miss Clark, why are you still standing there? My daughter Riley is shooting in the Sky Garden today. We don’t have time to entertain you."

Selina tilted her head slightly, then suddenly smiled.

"You’re right, Madam Nelson. HM Hotel is famous for its integrity. So perhaps Manager Sanders could explain something to me..."

She raised her phone, showing an electronic contract.

"I reserved the photo studio in the Sky Garden for 9am today. How exactly did it become Riley’s?"

...

The moment she finished speaking, the entrance fell silent. Nearby guests stared, wide-eyed.

What?

Manager Sanders’ face darkened. "Miss Clark, the only booking we have on record is from Miss Nelson. Do you know how expensive it is to reserve our Sky Garden? Don’t flatter yourself!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Madam Nelson’s expression soured instantly. She sneered, "Miss Clark, if you’re so desperate to get into the Sky Garden, you could’ve at least come up with a better excuse. Smearing HM Hotel’s name? Ha! Who would dare work with you after that..."

Selina interrupted coolly, voice slow and deliberate.

"There’s a signature on this contract from HM Hotel’s Vice President. Manager Sanders, why don’t you call your boss and check? After all..."

She gave him a pointed look.

"HM Hotel’s reputation for integrity shouldn’t fall apart because of you."

...

!!

On the contract, there really was Foster’s VP’s signature!

Manager Sanders’ expression changed instantly. Cold sweat slid down his neck.

How could this be...

Then it hit him.

It had to be that Selina wasn’t important enough to be remembered, so the Foster VP forgot about her reservation and accepted Miss Nelson’s booking too. That had to be it.

Selina’s voice was calm, almost lazy. "Isn’t first come, first served supposed to be the rule?"

Sanders took a deep breath. He couldn’t afford to offend Madam Nelson—he needed Riley’s good word for his promotion and raise. And Selina? Who the hell was she?

"Oh dear, terribly sorry, Miss Clark. Our Foster VP must have made a mistake and accidentally double-booked you and Miss Nelson for the same day. Very unlucky timing!"

"But Nelson Miss is already shooting inside. We can’t very well kick her out now, can we? Besides, you should really give the Nelson Family some face, don’t you think?"

"How about this—I’ll reschedule for you. Let’s not make things ugly; best to leave some goodwill for the future, right?"

Selina actually let out a laugh—asking her if that was right?

She’d organized her entire team for this. Booked the photographer, hired the copywriters and planners, scheduled all the promo. Every part cost money, time, and people.

Today meant today.

And now they expected her to cancel because Riley felt entitled?

What kind of bullshit was that?

She’d never seen anyone crash her private booking and then demand she be the one to leave. Where did Riley get the nerve?

"Sorry—" Selina’s tone turned sharp. "I don’t accept."

The polite smile dropped from Sanders’ face. "Miss Clark, do you even understand who backs HM Hotel? This isn’t someplace you can afford to mess with. Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink punishment wine. If you insist on blocking the entrance, you’ll find out just how big HM Hotel’s reach is."

"Fine." Selina nodded and pulled out her phone, tapping out a message. "Let’s see who can outlast who."

Seriously? Threatening her with her own family’s hotel?

"You—!" Sanders was furious. He’d never seen someone so completely unmoved by threats. Usually the second he mentioned HM Hotel’s backers, people would be scared out of their minds. He’d bullied countless people this way.

But Selina? She wasn’t budging an inch.

Just then, a soft voice came from a short distance away.

"Manager Sanders, Mom, who are you talking to?"

Riley walked over, a polite smile on her face—until she spotted Selina. Her eyes flickered with surprise before she smoothed it over with fake innocence.

"Selina, you’re here too?"

Sanders immediately launched into his best obsequious tone. "Miss Nelson, Miss Clark also claims to have booked the studio today. Due to staff error, the schedules overlapped. We’re trying to work something out with Miss Clark, but..."

He sighed dramatically, shaking his head in false regret. "We’re very sorry about the confusion, but since you’re already in the middle of your shoot, we can’t exactly kick you out. Miss Clark, please try to understand."

Riley put on her best I-just-realized expression. "Oh, Selina, don’t blame Manager Sanders. This really isn’t up to him. Besides, today the Sky Garden is reserved..."

She sighed as though giving heartfelt advice, stopping just short of tapping Selina on the forehead.

"Why don’t you just go home? Don’t make a scene that’ll embarrass you."