Chapter 4
"Ms. Blake, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" William's lips curved slightly upward, his eyes carrying a smile she couldn't quite read.
Ophelia quickly snapped back to reality. "No, I'm just a bit surprised."
"Surprised about what?"
William raised an eyebrow, deliberately drawing out his tone.
Ophelia nodded. "Surprised that you're my arranged marriage partner."
She really hadn't expected this.
William's voice came to her ears again, "So does Ms. Blake want to change her mind?"
His voice was low and smooth.
And his expression at this moment was somewhat serious.
Ophelia said firmly, "No."
William had wealth and was incredibly handsome. Especially now, leaning back against the leather seat with his legs crossed and hands folded on his abdomen—that presence was the kind of ease only someone in power possessed.
Marrying him wouldn't be a loss.
But she'd already fallen once in romance. She wouldn't allow herself to be drained again in marriage. Besides, if William wasn't weighing the pros and cons, why would he choose someone whose love life had been such a disaster?
A light laugh reached her ears. "Worthy of Ms. Blake indeed, answering so decisively."
Ophelia had no interest in his praise. "Mr. Brown, thank you for giving me a ride. When I have time another day, I'll treat you to dinner."
The car moved steadily through the night. She wasn't stupid—if she got out now, she might not be able to catch a cab, and besides, it was dangerous for a woman alone at night.
William's thin lips moved slowly, his deep voice rising, "Why another day? Why not now?"
Ophelia was somewhat speechless, but remembering she was in his car, she forced a smile. "It's very late, and Mr. Brown, you saw—I have a suitcase with me. I haven't found a place to stay yet..."
Before she could finish, William interrupted her. "Housing is easy. I have an empty detached villa on Maple Avenue."
He said it casually.
Well, for someone of William's status, this kind of thing was indeed effortless.
Ophelia declined politely. "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm not in the habit of living in other people's houses."
William's response came quickly. "I didn't say I'd let you live there for free."
"I can't rent from an acquaintance...."
Ophelia still refused politely, but before she finished, William sharply pointed out, "How are Ms. Blake and I acquaintances?"
That one sentence left Ophelia speechless.
True, aside from their entanglement over that bidding case a year ago, she and William had no other dealings. Wait, they were also arranged marriage partners.
But she'd clearly told Mireille she didn't want to get married, so the arrangement hadn't succeeded. She and William really weren't acquaintances.
But William's meaning confused her now. "If we're not acquaintances, then why does Mr. Brown want to rent the house to me? Don't tell me the Brown family has gone bankrupt to the point where you need to make such sacrifices?"
A hint of surprise showed in Ophelia's eyes.
William knew what she was thinking, but he wasn't angry. "Female tenants are cleaner than male tenants. That house is just sitting empty anyway. I might as well rent it to you and have you owe me a favor. After all, I think highly of Ms. Blake's work abilities."
Just then, Ophelia's phone vibrated.
She looked down to see a text from Jeffrey: [Ophelia, I'm looking for you. It's late and windy outside. Stop being difficult, okay?]
Jeffrey had Freya by his side—how could he possibly be worried about her?
Jeffrey clearly still didn't want to give up his interests and wanted to keep treating her like a fool.
Ophelia gripped her phone tightly and looked up at William. "Fine, I'll rent the house. How much is the rent?"
William smiled. "How could I take rent from Ms. Blake?"
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. What's Mr. Brown's purpose in giving me the house?"
Ophelia didn't believe William would be so kind as to help her.
William replied, "I simply admire Ms. Blake's abilities and hope Ms. Blake can help me negotiate a project."
Ophelia asked directly, "What project?"
"You marrying me would be mutually beneficial for our families, and there's no real loss for either of us..."
Ophelia interrupted him: "It's a huge loss for me. I don't want to sell myself out."
She could rely on her own abilities to establish herself in the Smith family and gain the position of family head.
But William smiled and pointed out, "I admire Ms. Blake's confidence, but Ms. Blake should think more realistically. You've been away for years—how could the Smith family truly let you sit securely in the position of family head?"
"Mr. Brown certainly knows a lot about me," Ophelia said mockingly. "But Mr. Brown, right now I'm only concerned with my own interests. Even if some people in the Smith family aren't happy about it, no one can change the fact that I'm the Smith family's daughter."
Ophelia looked determined, like she had nothing to lose.
William knew Ophelia wouldn't agree to marry him.
He smiled. "Ms. Blake should learn to take advantage of favorable conditions in front of you."
"Sorry, I refuse. I don't want to bet on men anymore." Ophelia's rejection was clean and clear.
She'd given her whole heart to Jeffrey before—and what did she get?
She got Jeffrey's schemes. She didn't want to fall for a man again.
Ophelia looked straight ahead. "Please drop me off at the nearest hotel."
Seeing Ophelia angry, William quickly said, "Don't be angry. I was just joking with Ms. Blake. As long as Ms. Blake helps me secure the cooperation project with the Moore Group, I could even give you that house."
Ophelia frowned. "The Moore Group in the building materials industry?"
"Yes."
William answered just as decisively.
The Moore Group was Jeffrey's key client these past few years, and of course, it was a partnership she'd built single-handedly. But the Moore Group had recently changed its manager, who was deliberately stalling cooperation with Jeffrey.
If she went to negotiate with the Moore Group, she'd face the same obstacles.
William saw through her thoughts and chuckled. "Just because the Moore Group doesn't want to cooperate with Jeffrey doesn't mean they don't want to cooperate with me."
Ophelia wasn't stupid. "Then why don't you negotiate with the Moore Group yourself?"
"I want to use this to become business friends with you. And don't you want to take back everything you gave Jeffrey?" William's smile deepened.
Ophelia quickly replied, "Fine, but let me make this clear—I won't sell myself out. Give up any thoughts of marrying me."
"Okay."
William agreed.
Ophelia said nothing, but the next second, William extended his right hand. "Ms. Blake, happy cooperation."
Ophelia hesitated, then reached out to shake his hand. The moment William gripped her hand firmly, Ophelia felt the warmth of his palm.
Suddenly, there was a hard brake.
As Ophelia's whole body lurched forward, William pulled her into his arms.