Chapter 15
"Since you're now in contact with William through work, you should take this chance to get to know him better." Mireille looked at her. "If you think he's right for you, you can try dating him."
Ophelia was speechless.
Wasn't Mireille changing her tune a bit too fast? Just moments ago, Mireille was launching a stern inquiry, and now Mireille was telling her to try getting close to William?
Still, she could tell that although Mireille was giving her permission to try things out with William, she still believed the arranged marriage was set in stone.
"Grandma, these things can't be rushed. It depends on fate," Ophelia tried to persuade Mireille.
"Fate, fate—how old are you to still believe in fate?" Mireille glared at her. "Anyway, just know what you need to do. And those messy things going on outside, you need to clean them up."
Ophelia's heart skipped a beat. Messy things outside?
Was she talking about her divorce from Jeffrey? Or was it...
"Grandma, what do you mean?" she asked, playing dumb.
"What else could it be? Your ex-husband and that Freya, spreading rumors everywhere—what does that look like!" Mireille said irritably. "Since you're divorced, don't get tangled up with them anymore. Don't give people something to laugh about."
"I understand. I'll handle it," Ophelia nodded.
She'd been wanting to find a chance to deal with Freya and Jeffrey anyway.
"Oh, Grandma." Ophelia suddenly remembered something and took the opportunity to bring it up. "I want to work at the Smith Group."
Mireille looked at her with some surprise. "You want to work at the Smith Group?"
"Yes." Ophelia nodded. "I want to see what the Smith Group is like inside, to prepare for taking over in the future."
Her words were half true, half false.
The truth was, she did want to understand the Smith family's business. The false part was—she never said she would definitely take over as head of the family.
But to Mireille's ears, it sounded completely different.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Mireille's face. "I'm glad you're thinking this way."
"However, I have one condition," Ophelia continued.
"Go ahead." Mireille was curious to hear what she wanted.
"I don't want to be parachuted in, and I don't want people to know my identity," Ophelia explained her idea. "I want to start from the bottom, go in disguised as a regular employee, and see the Smith Group's most authentic side."
Mireille was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Good! Good! You've got my old spirit!"
She loved this down-to-earth, humble attitude of Ophelia's.
"Alright, I agree to this," Mireille decided. "Whatever help you need, just tell Luca."
"Thank you, Grandma." Ophelia breathed a sigh of relief. This was exactly the result she wanted.
"Alright, go take care of your business." Mireille waved her hand. "That trending topic thing, I'll have someone handle it. You don't need to worry about it."
Ophelia's heart stirred again. Trending topic?
Had her meeting with William today, really made it to the trending topics?
She didn't ask more questions, just nodded. "I'll head back then."
After leaving the Smith Mansion, Ophelia took out her phone and went online.
As soon as she opened Instagram, she got a shock.
Three of the top ten trending topics were about her.
#the Brown Group CEO's woman#
#William Ophelia#
#Ophelia William perfect match#
Ophelia was confused.
She clicked on the first trending topic and found the comments a bit strange.
All those comments cursing her from earlier had disappeared.
In their place were comments saying they were "a perfect match."
"Isn't this woman Ophelia? I know her! When she was with Jeffrey, she had it really rough, completely fooled by that scumbag Jeffrey."
"Really? So Ophelia is the victim? Then her being with Mr. Brown is a match made in heaven!"
"I knew Mr. Brown's taste wouldn't be bad! Although Ophelia is divorced, that's because she chose the wrong person! Her being with Mr. Brown now is just perfect!"
"I looked into it—Ophelia used to be a real beauty. She was just held back by Jeffrey. Now that she's single again and standing next to Mr. Brown, they're a great match!"
"I support them being together! Mr. Brown, treat her well! Let that scumbag Jeffrey regret it!"
Ophelia was stunned.
That was a fast turnaround, wasn't it?
One second, they were calling her a slut, the next, they were praising how well she and William matched.
After thinking for a moment, she understood.
This must have been Mireille's doing.
Mireille's methods were truly swift and decisive.
But removing those insulting comments was one thing—why did she have people start this "perfect match" narrative?
Wasn't this deliberately causing misunderstandings?
Ophelia sighed helplessly and directly called Luca.
"Luca, the trending topic thing—my grandmother had someone handle it, right?" she asked straight away.
"Yes, Ms. Blake." Luca's voice sounded very respectful. "She said she couldn't let people slander your reputation like that."
"I understand." Ophelia paused, but couldn't help asking, "Those comments saying William and I are a perfect match—did Grandma have people post those too?"
There was silence on the other end, then Luca's somewhat vague voice came through. "Ms. Blake, Mrs. Smith's intention was... to let things take their natural course."
Let things take their natural course?
Ophelia's mouth twitched.
This wasn't letting things take their natural course—this was adding fuel to the fire!
"Alright, I got it." She hung up, feeling both amused and exasperated.
It seemed that to get her and William to marry, Mireille was really going all out.
But this was fine too.
At least now public opinion had shifted, and no one was cursing her anymore.
As for whether she and William were a good match or not...
Ophelia's mind flashed to William's handsome face and how he'd helped her with her coat and opened the car door today.
She had to admit, apart from being a bit cold sometimes, William was truly impeccable in every other way.
If she could really be with him...
Ophelia shook her head, pushing this unrealistic thought out of her mind.
What was she thinking!
Her top priority right now was work, her career, making Freya and Jeffrey pay!
As for men...
Those were just the cherry on top, nice to have but not necessary.
She started the car, feeling much better than when she'd arrived.
Although the trending topic thing was a bit of a mix-up, at least the result was good.
And she'd successfully secured the opportunity to work at the Smith Group.
The coming days were going to be busy.
The next morning, Ophelia got up early.
She deliberately chose the most ordinary white shirt and black dress pants, with a bare face—she didn't even put on lipstick.
She looked at herself in the mirror, looking like a fresh college graduate, completely non-threatening.