Chapter 55
After dealing with Daniel, Ophelia was just about to leave and find a corner to catch her breath when William gently caught her wrist.
His palm was warm, carrying that familiar woody scent that somehow calmed her down.
"Let me introduce you to someone." William's voice was low, with a hint of amusement.
Ophelia raised an eyebrow, about to ask who, when he pulled her toward the center of the ballroom.
People were dancing there, a gentle waltz melody drifting over, and the lighting had softened considerably.
"Mr. Brown, Ms. Blake." A middle-aged man in a tailcoat approached with a smile—it was Glenn Cole, president of the Emerald City Chamber of Commerce.
"Mr. Cole." William nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to Ophelia. "Mr. Cole would like to discuss potential collaboration on the cultural tourism project."
Ophelia's heart stirred—this was an unexpected bonus. She quickly extended her hand: "Mr. Cole, hello, I've heard so much about you."
"Ms. Blake, you're young and accomplished. I've heard about the resort project for some time." Glenn shook her hand, his tone sincere. "Our chamber is looking to lead several landmark urban cultural tourism projects. I'm very optimistic about your collaboration between the Smith Group and the Brown Group."
They chatted for a few moments, then Glenn glanced at the dance floor and joked with a smile: "Mr. Brown, aren't you going to invite Ms. Blake for a dance? Such a wonderful atmosphere—don't waste it."
William turned to look at her, his eyes questioning.
Ophelia's cheeks warmed slightly. She instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words stuck in her throat.
She could feel many eyes on them. Refusing now would only make it seem deliberate.
"Okay." She nodded, letting William put his arm around her waist.
Ophelia walked onto the dance floor with William. His hand rested lightly on her waist, the pressure just right—not making her feel uncomfortable.
Ophelia's hand settled on his shoulder, and she could clearly feel the firm muscles beneath his shirt.
"Nervous?" William looked down at her, his breath brushing past her ear.
Ophelia's ear tingled instantly. She quickly shook her head: "No, I just haven't danced in a long time."
"Just follow my rhythm." William's voice was soft, carrying a soothing quality.
His steps were steady, guiding her in slow turns that matched the music's beat.
Ophelia gradually relaxed, her gaze settling on his chin, taking in his smoothly contoured profile. Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.
"Did Ainsley try to cause trouble again today?" She deliberately started a conversation to cover her embarrassment.
"Chase is watching her—she can't get in." William smiled. "Besides, with her limited abilities, she can't cause much trouble."
Ophelia nodded, feeling somewhat reflective.
If Ainsley had put that persistence toward something worthwhile, she wouldn't have ended up where she is now.
"What are you thinking about?" William noticed her mind wandering.
"I'm wondering why you always help me?" Ophelia looked up at him, her eyes filled with curiosity.
From the brake failure at the beginning, to the snake incident later, and now all this protection—he always seemed to appear when she needed him.
William's steps paused for a moment, then resumed normally, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "I told you, cooperation needs to be win-win. If something happens to you, what about the project?"
The answer made perfect sense, but Ophelia felt an inexplicable disappointment.
She responded softly and didn't press further.
William watched her lips droop and smiled inwardly, but didn't point it out. He just led her into a turn in a different direction.
At the edge of the dance floor, people recognized them and whispered among themselves.
"That's the Smith Group's vice president, right? She and Mr. Brown look so good together."
"I think it's more than that—Mr. Brown looks at Ms. Blake differently."
These words drifted into Ophelia's ears in fragments. Her cheeks grew hotter, and she instinctively wanted to shrink into William's embrace.
William felt her small movement, his smile deepening as he tightened his arm around her waist.
When the song ended, William released her and gentlemanly handed her a glass of juice: "Have something to drink, take a breather."
Ophelia took it and sipped. The cool liquid slid down her throat, slightly suppressing the heat in her chest.
"Thank you." She looked up at him with a smile, a shallow warmth in her eyes.
William watched her smile, his Adam's apple bobbing, a sudden thought crossing his mind.
"There's a lounge area over there—want to sit for a bit?" He pointed to some sofas not far away.
Ophelia nodded and followed him over to sit down.
As soon as she sat, William stood up, walked to the nearby bar, and brought back a glass of warm water.
"After dancing, this is gentler." He handed her the glass, his fingertips not touching her skin, yet showing his thoughtfulness.
Ophelia took it, her fingertips touching the warm glass, warmth spreading through her heart, too.
"Thank you, you don't have to go to such trouble." She said softly.
Just as she finished speaking, she let out a small yawn, moisture gathering in her eyes.
William noticed and pulled a small mint candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and offered it to her: "Have this—it'll help you feel better and cut through the alcohol."
Without thinking, Ophelia opened her mouth to take it. The cool mint flavor spread in her mouth, instantly refreshing her.
"You carry these with you?" She was a bit curious.
"I used to have a lot of business dinners, kept them for sobering up." William smiled. "Now I guess they're for you."
Ophelia's cheeks flushed slightly. She looked down at her glass and didn't respond.
Just then, a woman in a red dress walked over with a wine glass, her hair in big waves, makeup perfect, eyes fixed directly on William.
"Mr. Brown, what a coincidence running into you here." The woman's voice was syrupy sweet, deliberately gentle.
William looked up, his face expressionless, just nodding coolly: "Ms. Faye."
Ophelia recognized her—Jasmine Faye, daughter of the Faye Group. Ophelia had seen her at several business events before. She'd heard that Jasmine had been trying to collaborate with the Brown Group and had quite a thing for William.
Jasmine acted as if she didn't see Ophelia at all, walking straight up to William, almost pressing against him: "Mr. Brown, I recently discovered a really nice Western restaurant, the atmosphere is so romantic. I wonder if you have time..."
"I don't." William cut her off directly, his tone cold. "I'm discussing business with Ms. Blake. If you don't have anything important, Ms. Faye, please leave."
Jasmine's smile froze—she clearly hadn't expected William to be so blunt.
She turned to look at Ophelia, hostility in her eyes: "Ms. Blake? You're that newly appointed vice president at the Smith Group? I thought Mr. Brown only had a business relationship with you. I didn't expect you to be so close."
Ophelia frowned, about to speak, when William beat her to it.
"My relationship with Ms. Blake is none of your concern, Ms. Faye." William's tone grew colder, a powerful aura emanating from him. "Also, the Smith Group is an important partner of the Brown Group, and Ms. Blake is a partner I highly value. Please show some respect, Ms. Faye."
Jasmine's face darkened, standing there caught between leaving and staying.
People around them were already looking over, pointing and whispering, making her feel humiliated.
She bit her lip, glared fiercely at Ophelia, then turned and left in embarrassment.
Watching her retreating figure, Ophelia felt conflicted: "Being so direct—isn't that a bit harsh?"
"With people like that, you have to be direct." William turned to look at her, his eyes much softer. "Otherwise they'll keep pestering you endlessly."
Ophelia nodded, but her heart felt a bit sweet.
That phrase about her being a partner he highly valued—though he hadn't said anything explicit, it felt like he was protecting her.
"Thank you." She looked up at him with a smile.
"Thank me for what?" William raised an eyebrow.
"For getting me out of that situation," Ophelia said. "Otherwise I really wouldn't have known how to handle it."
"It's what I should do." William looked at her smile, a tenderness flashing in his eyes. "When you're with me, you don't need to worry about these things. I'm here."
William's simple statement made Ophelia's heart skip a beat.