fantishu
Chapter 7
Serena was just about to mention that Ophelia had already paid for the gown when Family stepped forward and longan live arm through Nathan's, playing the role of the ever-so-considerate sider "Nathan, Elia does look pretty good in that gown, doesn't she? Maybe we should do her a favor and pay for it Emily suggested, her smile warm, but her eyes glinting with barely concealed condescension Nathan scoffed, "Emily, you're way too kind for your own good. Have you forgotten how she treated you before? And didor she make it crystal clear the other day that she's got nothing to do with our family anymore! Why would she need our help toa pay for anything?" Emily put on a face of concern, frowning as if genuinely worried. "But Nathan, that's a runway piere she's wearing Ire really
In expensive." She sounded so sympathetic, as though Ophelia's financial state was of deep concern to her, Yet her words rang loud and clear-Ophelia couldn't possibly afford it.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.
Nathan's lips twisted into a smirk. "Well, that's her problem, buit it? 11 she's dumile enough to splurge on something way out of her league, that's her embarrassment, not ours. His voice then turned mocking Ophelia, if you beg me rarely, maybe I'll consider buying you something from the clearance rack
At his words, Serena shot him a look, frowning at the abunnlity of his words. Meanwhile, the sales associates parking Ophelia's purchases couldn't help but stifle their giggles, glancing at each other with knowing smiles.
Emily, standing nearby, felt the atmosphere shift but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Something in the room had changed But before she could make sense of it, Ophelia, without a word, took the scissors from Serena's hand. In one smooth motion. she snipped the tag from the dress with an audible stap.
At the counter, Aria finished ringing up the purchase and respectfully handed over the black card, addressing Ophelia with deferential tone. "Miss, your purchases are all packed. If you'd like, we can have them delivered directly to your home. Just leave us your address" Nathan's eyes widened as he looked toward the clothing racks, which had been stripped bare. The counter was covered in an impressive pile of shopping bags. His jaw dropped as his mind tried to process the imposable. These are all hers? No way. Where the hell did she get the money?
Emily stood frozen, a mixture of shock and disbelief coloring her face. 'Did the saleswoman mean all those new arrivals were bought by Ophelia? That's impossible.
As Ophelia calmly provided her address and took back her card, she cast Nathan and Emily a look that was dripping with disdain-like she was watching a pair of pathetic clowns.
Nathan, unable to contain his anger any longer, barked. "Ophelia, where did you get that kind of money?"
Ophelia's expression remained indifferent, barely acknowledging his outburst. "And what business is that of yours? Then, turning to Emily with a smirk, she added, "Sorry, but I've bought all the new arrivals. Why don't you pick something from the sale rack? I'll even put it on my tab"
The room fell into a stunned silence. Nathan and Emily's faces twisted in humiliation. The carefully curated personas they had maintained were cracking
"You scheming little witch, Nathan spat, his fists clenching as his face reddened. "You already paid for it, and you still put on that little act and pretended you couldn't afford it, just to make me look like a fool? That's what this is, right?"
Ophelia's eyes glimmered with cold amusement. "Did I say I couldn't afford it? I've been letting you two entertain yourselves this whole time. Why should I interrupt your little performance?"
With a casual shrug, Ophelia reached for one of the bags, pulled out a gown, and let it drop unceremoniously to the floor in front of Emily with a dramatic swish, "Consider this your tip for the show"
Emily's face flushed red with rage and humiliation, her lists trembling by her sides. Never in her life had she been so publicly. shamed. She squeezed her fists tighter, her nails digging into her palms, but after a deep breath, she loosened her grip and lifted her gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Elix, Sorry. I. I didn't mean to
Bat Ophelia had already turned away, dismissing her without a second glance. She strode toward the exit, as if the whole encounter hadn't been worth a moment of her time.
5:47 PM c Chapter 7
Nathan, seeing Emily on the verge of tears, felt his protective instincts kick in. Furious and fueled by a wounded ego, he stormed after Ophelia, his voice booming. "Ophelia, you stop right there and apologize to Emily"
Ophelia slowed her steps, just enough to throw a sharp, mocking look over her shoulder. "And what if I don't?"
Nathan's rage boiled over. "Then you're asking for a beating," he growled, raising his fist as he charged toward her, ready to
teach her a lesson.
But Ophelia barely moved, her expression still calm as ever. With a swift tilt of her head, Nathan's punch barely grazed past her, stirring a few strands of her hair.
Before he knew what hit him, Ophelia seized his wrist, yanked him forward, and slammed her elbow into his stomach with a solid thud.
"Ugh-" Nathan groaned, collapsing to his knees, clutching his stomach in pain.
Emily deliberately lingered inside the store, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ophelia getting beaten up by Nathan. However, when she finally stepped out, her heart skipped a beat as she witnessed the exact opposite-Nathan, hunched over in pain, clutching his jaw. "Nathan, are you okay?" Emily rushed to his side, her voice laced with false concern.
Nathan, one hand still on the ground, spat through gritted teeth, "Ophelia, you dared hit me? You better watch your back." Ophelia, unbothered by his threats, gave him a mocking smile. "Sure, I'll be waiting," she replied casually before turning back. toward the mall, her steps unhurried as if nothing had happened.
As Emily helped Nathan to his feet, her eyes darkened with suspicion. "Nathan, could Elia's money be coming from that old man at Rosewood Manor?"
The implication in her words hung thick in the air, as the insinuation of what a young girl might exchange with an older man was all too clear.
Nathan's face twisted in disgust. "Shameless. She's nothing but an embarrassment to our family."
When Ophelia strolled through the mall, passers-by turned their heads wherever she went. Her air of effortless grace drew the attention of passers-by, men and women alike. Despite wearing nothing more than a simple, unadorned dress, her beauty seemed ethereal, otherworldly even, as though she were far removed from the ordinary
World
Just then, her phone buzzed, and seeing the familiar number, her lips curved into a deeper smile. It was Kenneth.
"It's me," his rich, baritone voice echoed through the line, instantly wiping away the lingering irritation from her earlier encounter.
"Mr. Sinclair," Ophelia teased lightly, "I take it you saw the credit card bill? I forgot to mention that I'm a bit of a shopaholic."
Kenneth's warm laughter filled her ear, a sound so full of indulgence that it sent a pleasant warmth through her. "Oh, Ophelia. if only you
knew no matter how fast you spend, you'll never keep up with how fast I make money. I'll pick you up at Rosewood Manor at eight." "Alright," Ophelia agreed without hesitation.
"You're not even curious about where we're going?" His voice carried a hint of amusement.
"No need to ask," she replied smoothly. "Wherever you go, I'll follow-as long as you don't plan on selling me off."
Kenneth chuckled, clearly pleased by her playful answer. "I could never," he said, his voice dropping to a deep, velvety murmur, the kind that brushed against her heart like a feather, soft and electrifying at the same time.
After the call ended, Ophelia continued her spree, sweeping through two more stores before finally heading back to Rosewood
Manor
The maids there, having learned their lesson from the previous night's incident, no longer dared to show her any disrespect. Liam, Kenneth's trusted aide, had even brought over two older, more experienced servants from Sinclair Manor. The moment 522 PM
they laid eyes on Ophelia, they couldn't help but think she was a perfect match for Kenneth, and they were more than eager to serve her with care.
At precisely eight o'clock, Kenneth returned to pick her up. Ophelia, still wearing the forest green dress she had donned earlier in the day, had her soft, wavy hair loosely tied with a simple white ribbon.
Her angelic, unadorned face only enhanced her ethereal beauty, but it was her eyes-cool, detached, yet with a subtle allure- that gave her an irresistible, dangerous charm. The juxtaposition of innocence and temptation was magnetic.
Mark, the driver, couldn't help but blink in surprise when he saw her. She looked nothing like someone from the slums; every inch of her exuded elegance.
He was deep in thought when he noticed the warning glare Kenneth shot his way, sharp as a knife. Swallowing his thoughts, Mark quickly opened the door for her, lowering his gaze in respect.
The moment Ophelia sat down, Kenneth reached out, his fingers immediately latching onto hers, pulling her closer with a firm but gentle tug. Off balance, she stumbled into him, her hand still caught in his.
"You went out shopping in this?" His voice was low, almost a growl, as his eyes darkened, fixating on the delicate curve of her exposed collarbones and the subtle ridge of her shoulder blades.
A heavy tension filled the car, the air thick with a possessive energy that seemed to radiate off him.
"Yeah. What's wrong with it?" Ophelia asked, genuinely confused, lifting her head only to meet Kenneth's intense, brooding gaze. Then it clicked-his possessiveness knew no bounds.
Is he really going to control even what I wear?' she thought, half amused, half incredulous,
Kenneth's grip on her hand tightened slightly. "I don't care what you wear, but every single outfit has to be seen by me first. Understood?" His voice was cold and commanding, leaving no room for argument. There was something almost childishly unreasonable in his tone, though it was cloaked in his usual domineering way.
Feeling the slight ache from how tightly he held her hand. Ophelia quickly nodded. "Understood."
When he was finally satisfied with her answer, Kenneth's tense expression relaxed, though his hand never loosened its grip on
hers.
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