Chapter 53
Meanwhile, at the Smith Mansion, Ainsley was sitting on the sofa with a terrifyingly dark expression on her face.
Standing in front of her was a man in a black suit named York, one of her trusted confidants.
"Ms. Smith, I've looked into it. Ophelia has indeed been doing really well at the company lately. Not only is she leading the urban cultural tourism complex project," York said with his head lowered respectfully.
"She's also been getting very close to William, the CEO of the Brown Group."
Ainsley slammed her coffee cup down on the table, splashing coffee everywhere.
She said through gritted teeth, her eyes full of jealousy, "That bitch actually dares to compete with me for a man!"
She had always thought William belonged to her. After all, the Smith family and the Brown family were old family friends, and Mireille had mentioned marriage arrangements before.
But Ophelia, this outsider, dared to interfere and get so close to William. How could she stand for this?
"Also, I heard the Brown Group has decided to partner with the Smith Group on the cultural tourism complex project, and William is personally handling it, all because Ophelia is in charge of this project," York continued.
Ainsley's expression grew even darker, a flash of viciousness in her eyes. "I absolutely won't let her succeed! William is mine, and that project should be mine too!"
She suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the living room, her mind racing.
If Ophelia could get close to William through the project, so could she.
An idea came to her, and a calculating smile appeared on her lips.
"Go prepare a cooperation proposal for me. Say it's about supplementary cooperation for the cultural tourism complex project. I want to personally arrange a meeting with William," Ainsley ordered.
"Ms. Smith, won't that seem too obvious?" York hesitated.
"So what if it's obvious?" Ainsley snorted coldly. "As long as I can meet William and let him know how I feel, that's all that matters."
"I want him to know that bitch Ophelia doesn't deserve him at all. Only I'm the right person for him."
York didn't dare say more and quickly replied, "Alright, Ms. Smith, I'll prepare it right away."
Ainsley watched York leave, her heart full of confidence.
She believed that with her status and beauty, she could definitely make William fall for her.
Early the next morning, Ainsley dressed up carefully.
She wore a white dress, put on delicate makeup, and sprayed on light perfume, looking gentle and lovely.
Carrying the prepared cooperation proposal, she arrived at the Brown Group building.
"Please let Mr. Brown know that Ainsley from the Smith Group is here to discuss a partnership," Ainsley said to the receptionist with a hint of pride in her tone.
The receptionist glanced at her and, recognizing her as someone from the Smith family, didn't dare to be negligent and quickly called William's office.
Before long, the receptionist hung up and said to Ainsley, "Ms. Smith, Mr. Brown will see you now."
A satisfied smile appeared on Ainsley's lips as she walked into the elevator with her head held high.
At the door to William's office, she straightened her clothes and hair, took a deep breath, and knocked.
"Come in," William's voice came through.
Ainsley pushed open the door and walked in. She saw William sitting behind his desk, looking at documents, sunlight streaming through the window onto him, making him look particularly handsome.
Her heart instantly started racing, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. "Mr. Brown, sorry to disturb you."
William looked up and, seeing it was her, showed no emotion in his eyes. "Ms. Smith, what can I do for you?"
"I'm here to discuss a partnership with you," Ainsley walked to the desk and handed over the proposal. "This is a supplementary cooperation proposal I made for the cultural tourism complex project. It has some new ideas I'd like to discuss with you."
William took the proposal but didn't look at it, just set it aside, his tone flat. "Ms. Smith, we've already worked out most of the details for the cultural tourism complex project with Ophelia. We don't need any supplementary cooperation at the moment."
The smile on Ainsley's face froze for a moment. She hadn't expected him to reject her so directly.
But she didn't give up. Instead, she walked closer to William, deliberately acting vulnerable. "Mr. Brown, I know Ophelia is doing a great job with this project, but I really want to contribute something to the Smith Group too."
"Plus, I'm very interested in this project and put a lot of thought into making this proposal. Won't you just take a look?"
Her voice was soft and weak, with a hint of grievance, and she looked at William with eyes full of expectation.
William frowned and shifted to the side, creating distance. "Ms. Smith, I'm not interested in supplementary cooperation."
His tone carried a hint of detachment that made Ainsley uncomfortable.
But she still wouldn't give up and continued, "Mr. Brown, actually, there's also a personal matter I want to talk to you about."
She looked up, her eyes showing a hint of shyness and affection. "Mr. Brown, I know you and Ophelia have been getting close, but I don't think you two are right for each other."
"Ophelia has been married before and has an unsavory past. She doesn't deserve you at all."
"But I've liked you since I was young and have always hoped to be with you. We're the perfect match."
She thought this confession would move William, but unexpectedly, his expression instantly darkened.
"Ms. Smith, watch your words." William's tone was ice-cold. "Ophelia is my business partner and someone I respect. It's not your place to judge her."
"Also, I only have professional respect for Ms. Smith. My feelings are clear to Ophelia."
"You've got the wrong person. Please leave."
Ainsley's face instantly turned pale. She couldn't believe her ears.
William was actually defending Ophelia like this and rejecting her publicly!
Her self-esteem was severely wounded, and her eyes immediately reddened. "Mr. Brown, how can you treat me like this? What part of me is worse than that bitch Ophelia?"
"Ms. Smith, please have some self-respect." William's eyes grew even colder. "If you keep making a scene here, I'll call security."
Seeing William's cold gaze, Ainsley felt both angry and scared. She could only bite her lip, turn around, and run out of the office.
Walking out of the Brown Group building, Ainsley couldn't hold back anymore, and tears fell.
She had never been so humiliated before. Since childhood, everyone had pampered and pleased her. No one had ever disrespected her like this.
"Ophelia, it's all because of you, you bitch!" Ainsley said through gritted teeth, her eyes full of malice. "I absolutely won't let you get away with this!"
She wasn't willing to give up just like that, and another idea popped into her head.
Early the next morning, Ainsley brought desserts she had made herself and arrived early at the Brown Group building.
She found a hidden spot to wait, thinking that when William came to work, she would pretend to run into him by chance and give him the desserts.
After a while, William's car pulled up in front of the building.