The sharp gasp rippled through her body, triggering a stabbing pain in a certain spot. She shifted uncomfortably, only to have her hand suddenly grasped.

Logan's calm voice followed, "You have a fever. Sleep. I'll apply the medicine; when you wake up, it won't hurt anymore."

Selina's mind, foggy with exhaustion, registered his words, and she instinctively closed her eyes.

The man chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over her waist and slowly moving downward as he gently applied the medicine to her most sensitive area.

Once he was done, Selina remained deeply asleep. Logan carried her to the car and said in a flat tone, "Drive."

Jack raised the partition respectfully but not before asking, "Sir, how do you plan to deal with the Clark Family?"

Logan spoke lazily, "The Bryant Family has a niece, doesn't it?"

Jack nodded. "Katie's brother does have a daughter."

"Find a way to send her to the Clark Family. Let her make things difficult for Katie."

…

Selina woke up groggily, pressing her temples. She glanced out the window to check the time.

Good, it was still before noon. She'd only slept for two hours.

As she turned to get out of bed, a sharp pain made her gasp. "Hiss... Why does it hurt even more now?"

At that moment, Logan opened the door, looking a little surprised. "Awake?"

Ethan peeked in from behind him. "Huh? Miss Clark is awake? Then I'll leave. I told you she was just exhausted and slept a bit longer, but you insisted on calling me."

Selina looked puzzled. "I only slept two hours. Was there really a need to call a doctor?"

Logan's gaze lowered slightly as he chuckled. "Mrs. Reid, are you sure you only slept two hours?"

Feeling challenged, Selina pulled out her phone and pointed at the time, which showed "10:00." "I checked the time before I fell asleep—it was 8:00. Now it's just..."

Before she could finish, her peripheral vision caught the date displayed nearby.

She hadn't slept for two hours—she'd slept an entire day! It was already 10:00 the next morning!

Selina froze, her cheeks heating up. "Who's to blame for me being this exhausted?!"

Logan smirked, clearly amused by her embarrassment, but didn't expose her further. "Yes, my fault. Does it still hurt?"

Selina, unsteady even as she tried to walk, gave up and collapsed back onto the bed. "It hurts."

Logan's brows furrowed slightly, and his tone turned serious. "I already applied the medicine... Turn over, and I'll apply it again."

Selina: "..."

She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying not to remember where he had applied the medicine before.

Logan retrieved the medicine, and after a moment of silence, Selina gritted her teeth. "... It's not there that hurts. It's my bones!"

Logan paused mid-motion, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "I've already arranged for your school to give you leave. Stay home and rest for a few days."

Selina's eyes widened in alarm. "What... what reason did you give for my leave?"

If he told them the real reason, how could she ever show her face again?

Logan gave her a meaningful look. "Mrs. Reid, what exactly are you imagining?"

Selina froze, instantly wanting to seal her own mouth shut. Right, what was she thinking? Who would ever give *that* as a reason for leave?

She yanked the blanket over her head in a fit of desperation. "I'm going back to sleep!"

Logan rose slowly, his tone light. "Already going back to sleep after just waking up? Mrs. Reid, take care of your body."

Selina immediately realized how terrible her excuse sounded. Her face flushed crimson, and she couldn't find the words to respond.

Noticing her embarrassment, Logan chuckled softly and quietly closed the door behind him.

After Logan left, Selina stayed in bed for two more days.

On the afternoon of the second day, she went for a walk in the back garden and suddenly noticed a patch of ground overrun with weeds.

"Butler Miller, why isn't anything planted here?"

Miller thought for a moment. "I believe this area wasn't included in the original garden design. If you'd like to renovate it, Madam, just let me know."

Selina had already been considering it. She immediately called for help to pull out the weeds, planning to turn the area into a small flower garden.

While she was halfway through sketching the design, she heard the hurried sound of two sets of footsteps behind her.

"Miss Clark, what are you doing?"

Selina turned around and recognized the speaker as one of the butlers of Sapphire Valley Villa. Next to her was a young woman, who appeared to be her daughter.

Selina sensed something was off, but she chose not to create conflict. "I'm planning to remove the weeds and plant some flowers instead."

Butler White's face darkened, and her gaze at Selina was filled with suspicion and disdain.

Her daughter, Emily White, couldn't hold back and rudely accused Selina: "Miss Clark, if you're going to mess with things at Sapphire Valley Villa, could you at least inform someone beforehand? These aren't just weeds—they're orchids planted by Miss Hayes! They haven't bloomed for years, and now that there are signs of flowers, you go and rip them out? How could you destroy all of Miss Hayes' hard work?"

Selina froze for a moment, then narrowed her eyes.

After Emily finished her tirade, Butler White pretended to cut her off with a scolding tone, "Emily, watch your mouth. Miss Clark is the current mistress of Sapphire Valley Villa—she can do whatever she wants."

She emphasized the words *current mistress* and then sighed.

"It's just… Miss Hayes and Mr. Reid have known each other for many years. Mr. Reid is aware of the orchids Miss Hayes planted here. If he becomes upset, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time explaining yourself. Perhaps I could speak to him on your behalf…"

Emily, clearly infuriated, interjected, "Mom, stop being such a pushover! This is all Miss Clark's fault for not knowing anything. And to think she's the eldest daughter of the Clark Family! She doesn't even recognize orchids—how embarrassing! Why should you take the blame for her mistakes?"

Selina watched the mother and daughter putting on an act, as if she had committed some heinous crime.

Finally, she realized what had been bothering her. From the start, this two never saw her as the villa's true mistress. They were just here to feign politeness while subtly elevating Miss Hayes' status.

But Logan despised Rachel—so why would he allow her to plant orchids here? Could this Miss Hayes be Rachel's sister instead?

Butler White shook her head, pretending to look regretful. "Enough, Emily. It's my fault for not informing Miss Clark in advance. I'll take the punishment. Don't get so worked up."

Emily, enraged by her mother's words, turned to Selina and gave her a hard shove.

"It's obviously your fault! Why should my mom take the punishment?! Miss Hayes and Mr. Reid are childhood sweethearts—they're a perfect match! Who do you think you are, barging in and ruining things? You actually think you're Mrs. Reid?! You… Ah!"

Selina sidestepped swiftly, and Emily missed her target. She stumbled and fell hard against a nearby rock, crying out in pain.

Butler White's expression immediately shifted. "Miss Clark! I've respected you as Mr. Reid's wife and tolerated your actions, but how dare you harm my daughter! Just wait—I'll have you thrown out of Sapphire Valley Villa!"

"Thrown out of Sapphire Valley Villa?"

Selina couldn't help but laugh. "Logan hasn't said a word—what makes you think you have the authority to deal with me?"

Butler White's face twisted, a mix of anger and uncertainty flashing across it. "Don't doubt me! As long as I speak to Mr. Reid, he'll definitely throw you out!"

Selina raised an eyebrow slightly. Where did this servant get such confidence?