Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' Chapter 117: The Real vs. The Fake

Selina’s eyes sparkled. "Since Miss Perry is so curious, then let’s take a look."

Vivian sneered at her words. How could this country bumpkin possibly have a painting by Gordon? She was about to watch Selina make a fool of herself!

Soon, the butler brought up both of their gifts.

The crowd gasped in astonishnt. "It’s really Cloudborne Crane! "

"As expected of Gordon—such delicate strokes, the crane looks incredibly lifelike. Miss Perry, you’ve put a lot of thought into this."

Vivian proudly opened Selina’s gift box. "Don’t just look at mine, everyone! Let’s also see what wonderful gift Selina prepared for Grandma... Huh?"

The crowd instinctively turned their attention to it—and instantly froze.

This painting...is also Cloudborne Crane

Mr. Perry exchanged a glance with Vivian before speaking righteously, "Mr. Gordon’s Cloudborne Crane is clearly in Vivian’s hands. Miss Clark, how dare you use a fake to deceive people?"

Logan’s eyes darkened slightly.

Selina smiled lazily. "Mr. Perry, your judgnt isn’t very impressive."

Mr. Perry fud. "It’s obvious you brought a forgery, and yet you’re still—"

"Father, please stop. I believe Selina wouldn’t do such a thing. She must have been cheated by an unscrupulous businessman."

Vivian put on an innocent, understanding act. "However, we really shouldn’t gift Grandma a forgery."

Selina laughed and said, "Who said mine is a fake?"

Seeing Selina was stubborn, Vivian asked, "Why don’t we have Fifth Uncle verify it?"

Perry Family’s Fifth Uncle was a professional art appraiser, and the mont Vivian suggested it, the crowd imdiately voiced their agreent.

Fifth Uncle shot Vivian a reassuring glance before raising his chin slightly, his expression full of disdain. "Since everyone insists, I will conduct a public appraisal—just so Miss Clark doesn’t claim our family is falsely accusing her."

Grandma Perry’s expression grew cold, just as she was about to speak, she noticed Logan subtly shake his head.

"Logan, you—"

"Grandma, Selina’s gift is not a forgery."

Logan’s voice was aningful. "The Perry Family needs to be put in their place."

At Logan’s firm response and Selina’s confident smile, Grandma Perry suddenly felt reassured.

This girl... always seed to surprise her. The mont she saw that painting, she knew it was Gordon’s work.

A young woman who could obtain Gordon’s artwork—what kind of background did Logan’s wife have?

anwhile, Fifth Uncle theatrically examined the painting with a magnifying glass, then furrowed his brows and straightened up.

"The verdict is in. I wonder if it’s real or fake."

"I heard Selina is just so nobody from the countryside. Where would she get the connections to acquire a Gordon painting?"

"It’s definitely fake. Just look at Fifth Uncle’s expression..."

As speculation swirled, Fifth Uncle delivered his judgnt with an authoritative cough. His sharp gaze landed on Selina.

"After a thorough appraisal, I conclude that Miss Clark’s painting is a forgery—it is not an authentic work of Gordon!"

The room erupted in shock.

"A fake?! Selina has so nerve, passing off soone else’s painting as Gordon’s. How could she be so reckless?"

"Does she even understand how influential Gordon is?"

"In all these years, who has ever dared to present a forgery? Miss Clark just made a complete fool of herself!"

Vivian curled her lips into a victorious smile and feigned surprise.

"Selina, how could you do this? Grandma treats you so well, yet you give her a fake painting... If I were Grandma, I’d be heartbroken!"

Mrs. Perry, "Vivian, you can’t really bla Miss Clark. These days, forgeries are just too convincing. Given her humble background, it’s only natural she can’t tell the real from the fake."

A socialite quickly chid in, eager to curry favor.

"Mrs. Perry, you’re absolutely right. If Miss Clark truly cared about Grandma Perry, she wouldn’t have gifted a fake. At the end of the day, it just shows she doesn’t respect her at all!"

"Grandma Perry, you see? Outsiders will always be outsiders. Only Vivian sincerely has your best interests at heart!"

The more they belittled Selina, the more it highlighted Vivian’s so-called devotion to Grandma Perry.

Logan narrowed his eyes slightly, spinning his phone between his fingers.

He had originally planned to stay out of this, but now... he changed his mind.

He knew she could handle it herself, but he simply couldn’t stand to watch Mrs. Reid be bullied. If he didn’t make a statent now, this sort of situation would repeat itself over and over again.

That being the case...

Logan lowered his gaze to his phone and casually dialed a number.

At the sa ti, Perry the Fifth scowled with disdain.

"Take this forgery away before it stains the old madam’s eyes! Miss Clark, our Perry Family does not welco—"

"Mr. Perry the Fifth, are you sure this painting is a forgery?" Selina interrupted coolly, one brow arched.

Perry the Fifth’s expression darkened. "I am an appraiser! How dare a re junior question my judgnt?!"

Vivian bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Selina, we never ant to ridicule you. We just think giving Grandma a fake isn’t appropriate. That’s why—"

Selina ignored Vivian entirely, chuckling softly. "I wouldn’t call it questioning. I’m just curious—how did soone of your caliber beco a so-called expert appraiser?"

"Gordon’s brushwork has a very distinct feature—"

She gestured at the paintings. "He always uses a fine wolf-hair brush to outline details. Yet, strangely enough, Vivian’s so-called ’authentic’ piece completely lacks this trait, while my supposed ’forgery’ actually follows Gordon’s signature technique."

"Mr. Perry the Fifth, what do you say?"

The crowd turned to look—sure enough, as Selina pointed out, the "real" painting lacked defining brushstrokes, while the "fake" had fine, delicate lines characteristic of Gordon’s work.

Perry the Fifth’s face darkened. "Nonsense! What could a re junior possibly know about authentication? I’ve examined countless Gordon originals! Do you think you can teach ?!"

Vivian’s eyes glistened with feigned sorrow. "Selina, we never even accused you of anything, yet now you’re trying to slander us?"

Perry the Fifth raised his voice to drown out his own guilt.

"Lies upon lies! You refuse to admit the truth! How could Logan have married soone like you—"

Clink.

Logan set his teacup down with a quiet yet decisive sound.

Perry the Fifth’s words caught in his throat.

The man’s expression remained impassive, his movents deliberate. "Since we have differing opinions, why not verify it with Mr. King himself?"

The banquet hall instantly fell silent.

Logan’s gaze swept over the crowd.

"As it happens, I had tea with Mr. King not long ago. I can give him a call and have him authenticate it in person. What do you all think?"

Selina blinked in surprise.

Wait—Logan knew Gordon personally? Since when? And why had she never heard about it?!

Perry the Fifth’s face stiffened. Call Gordon? Absolutely not!

"Logan, that won’t be necessary. We’re not trying to bla Miss Clark or anything..."

Beep—

Before he could finish, the call had already connected.

Logan switched to speakerphone, his voice calm.

"Mr. King, soone has presented Cloudborne Crane at my grandmother-in-law’s birthday banquet. Would you be willing to verify its authenticity?"

A deep male voice responded on the other end.

"Oh? Cloudborne Crane?"

The entire room collectively held their breath.

It was Gordon’s voice!

Then, without hesitation, Gordon declared—

"No need to authenticate. It’s a forgery."

Vivian’s face went deathly pale.