Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' Chapter 269: The One Without Connections Is You

Selina nearly laughed.

Apologize? To him?

She took a slow sip of coffee, eyes calm, voice puzzled. "Is Mr. Bryant really that famous?"

Mateo puffed up with pride. "Of course I—"

"How many awards has Mr. Bryant won? Any groundbreaking designs that shook the industry? How many exhibitions has he held? What’s the biggest achievent of his career?"

With every word Selina spoke, Mateo’s face turned a deeper shade of red.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "As far as I know, you can’t answer any of those questions. Which ans you’re not exactly a big deal. So what’s wrong with not knowing who you are?"

Exactly. A designer with no awards, no acclaid work, no public exhibitions—how could it be shocking if soone didn’t know his na?

Renowned designers were people like Rowan or Star. Compared to them, what was Mateo?

Mateo’s lips trembled with rage. He couldn’t get a single word out.

Riley gave Selina a strained look. "Selina, you can’t just... forget it, I’ll apologize for you."

Then she turned to Mateo. "Mr. Bryant, don’t be upset. Selina’s just a bit blunt—she didn’t an anything by it."

Grabbing the lifeline, Mateo scoffed coldly, "Fine. Just because it’s you, Miss Nelson, I’ll let it go."

Riley smiled, trying to smooth things over. "Selina, Mr. Bryant may not be as famous as Rowan, but he’s highly respected in the design community. He’s the best I could find for you."

Mateo’s smug expression returned.

"That’s right. Miss Clark ntioned Rowan—what, you think only designers like him are worth knowing? Honestly, Miss Clark, you’re way too arrogant. agreeing to design for you is already a blessing. And you still dream of soone like Rowan?"

Selina raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

Riley tried to redirect. "Mr. Bryant, we were hoping you could design a pair of wedding rings for Selina. She has so specific preferences—why don’t you two talk them through?"

Selina was already tuning out. Watching Mateo brag was a waste of ti. She’d rather be asleep.

But before she could say a word, Mateo scoffed.

"Sorry, I don’t do custom work. If Miss Clark wants rings, I’ll design them however I want. No revisions. No refunds."

Selina blinked.

Was this guy serious?

She’d been in the industry long enough, and even with the reputation of Star, she’d never t soone so arrogant and ridiculous.

Disregarding client preferences, refusing input, and forcing custors to accept whatever he delivered?

And he had the nerve to call himself a private designer?

Mateo continued, full of himself. "Miss Clark, I’m very busy. I can’t just rearrange my schedule for one client, so—"

"So Mr. Bryant doesn’t care what I want, plans to throw a random design, and expects to accept it as is?" Selina cut in coldly.

Mateo saw nothing wrong. "My designs are highly sought after. You should be grateful I’m even offering."

"How much do you charge per job, Mr. Bryant?" Selina asked suddenly.

Riley jumped in with a smug smile. "Selina, you probably don’t know—Mr. Bryant’s work is exquisite, so it’s a bit pricey. Fifty thousand a piece. But I’m sure that’s nothing for you, right?"

Fifty grand per ring. No customization. Not even Rowan or Star herself would dare to do that.

"Who’s ever bought a design from Mr. Bryant before?" Selina asked, feigning curiosity.

Mateo gave a haughty snort. "My clients are of high status. That’s confidential."

"Oh? That’s a sha. I was hoping to et them," Selina sighed. "After all, fools that easy to scam are pretty rare these days."

Mateo’s breath hitched in his throat, his face flushing bright red. He hadn’t sold much work—but so what? How dare so backwater bumpkin look down on him?

"You—you’re the type of person—I would never design for you! Miss Nelson, I’m leaving!"

Fuming, Mateo stord toward the door. Riley quickly chased after him.

"Mr. Bryant, please calm down! Selina, that was way out of line. How could you say sothing like that? Just apologize already—if he won’t design for you, where else are you going to find a designer?"

Selina tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Did I ever say I wanted Mr. Bryant to design my wedding ring?"

She rested her chin on her hand. "The ’Frozen Blue Diamond’ line from last quarter? Already taken to court for plagiarism by the Jewelry Association. Mr. Bryant’s reputation is trashed in the design world—why would I want soone like that making anything for ?"

Mateo’s face turned ashen in an instant.

Selina blinked innocently at Riley. "Did Miss Nelson know about the plagiarism?"

Riley’s throat tightened. Of course she knew—that was exactly why she brought him here. But now that Selina had asked publicly, what could she say?

"N-No... I didn’t know..."

Selina’s expression didn’t change. "Ah, makes sense. If Miss Nelson had known, you wouldn’t have recomnded him to , right?"

Riley’s smile froze. "O-of course not..."

Selina’s voice was calm, almost too calm. "And yet the esteed Miss Nelson could only dig up soone accused of plagiarism? How surprising."

She looked up with a quiet, cutting smile. "Or maybe Miss Nelson’s connections are just that... limited? Looks like being abroad too long made the local industry forget about you."

Riley nearly passed out from rage.

Now she understood why Bella always looked so furious whenever Selina’s na ca up.

This woman—this viper—was mocking her for having no network, for being so irrelevant that even a disgraced designer was the best she could manage?

And yet that designer was supposedly for Selina!

Riley’s voice cracked. "It’s not my fault... Those other designers heard the ring was for you and turned it down. What was I supposed to do?"

Translation: You’re the one no one wants to work with, not .

But Selina just batted her lashes.

Her voice was light, breezy. "No one wants to design for ? That’s strange—Rowan already agreed to do it."

A pause.

"Unless... Miss Nelson doesn’t consider Rowan a real designer?"

Rowan. Rowan was designing her wedding ring.

The café fell into a stunned silence.

Mateo looked like he’d swallowed glass. Riley’s face drained of all color.

"Selina... don’t joke like that. Rowan? The Rowan? Why would soone like him design for you?"

The man was a legend in the industry. Riley had tried to get her hands on one of his pieces for years—how could he possibly agree to be Selina’s personal designer?

Selina cut her off, slowly pulling out ten pristine design drafts from her bag.

"Miss Nelson, surely you recognize Rowan’s handwriting?"