Chapter 43
Jeffrey was eating dinner when he saw the news about the celebration banquet. The moment he read it, his phone slammed down onto the cheap glass table.
On the screen, the shocking photo of Freya clinging to Albert, with the headline "Smith Group Employee Caught Cheating at Celebration Party," stabbed into his eyes like needles.
He was shaking with anger, his finger swiping wildly across the screen, cursing under his breath: "That idiot! She's completely useless!"
He couldn't believe that Freya could be stupid enough to embarrass herself at such an event, dragging him down with her. People online were already pointing fingers at him. The comments had already dug up that he was Freya's boyfriend, and they were bringing up Jeffrey Technologies' bankruptcy, too.
While he was still cursing, the door burst open. Freya stumbled in, crying, her hair a mess, her dress stained, looking as miserable as a stray dog.
"You dare come back?!" Jeffrey shot up from his seat, pointing at her nose and shouting, "Look at what people are saying about you online! Are you out of your mind, pulling this stunt at the celebration banquet!"
Freya flinched at his yelling, tears streaming down her face even harder. She threw herself into Jeffrey's arms, her voice choked with sobs: "Jeffrey, I didn't mean to! I was set up by that bitch Ophelia!"
Jeffrey shoved her away, his eyes full of disgust: "Set up by her? You're the one who messed up, and you have the nerve to blame someone else?"
"It really was her!" Freya dropped to her knees, grabbing Jeffrey's pant leg, crying so hard she could barely breathe. "She's had it out for me for ages! She drugged my drink on purpose and arranged for that creep Albert to be waiting for me, just to ruin my reputation!"
As she cried, she pulled out her phone from her bag.
Hearing this, Jeffrey's anger started to fade a bit.
He already hated Ophelia, so he was naturally inclined to believe Freya. Plus, seeing Freya cry so pitifully, looking so wronged, he quickly bought her story.
"She really did this?" He frowned, his tone already softening.
"Absolutely!" Freya nodded eagerly, a flash of calculation in her eyes. "She's just jealous of my relationship with you, jealous that I got to work at the Smith Group, so she did this to me! Jeffrey, you have to help me get revenge!"
Jeffrey gritted his teeth, his anger reigniting, but this time directed at Ophelia: "That evil woman! How could she be so cruel! Don't worry, I won't let her get away with this!"
He reached out to help Freya up, his tone somewhat comforting: "This isn't your fault. Ophelia is just too vicious. Get some rest first. I'll figure something out and help you clear your name."
Freya leaned into his embrace, a barely noticeable smile playing at the corner of her lips. She silently cursed Jeffrey's stupidity while continuing to cry: "Jeffrey, you're the only one who's good to me, the only one who believes me."
As they were getting cozy, Jeffrey's phone suddenly rang. It was his mother, Phoenix Knight.
"Mom." He answered, his tone instantly becoming respectful.
"Jeffrey, come home for dinner on Sunday, and bring Ophelia too." Phoenix's voice came through with an undeniable authority. "Your grandfather saw the news from before, and he's worried. He wants Ophelia to explain in person so we can all feel better about it."
Jeffrey's face went white instantly, nearly dropping his phone: "Mom, I... Ophelia and I already..."
"Already what?" Phoenix cut him off, her tone growing stern. "I don't care what kind of fight you two had before. Ophelia is a good wife, and you'd better not betray her. You must bring her home on Sunday, or don't bother coming back yourself!"
The call ended. Jeffrey stood there, stunned.
Go home for dinner? And bring Ophelia with him?
How could he possibly do that?
His grandfather, Wesley Adams, cared most about reputation. If Wesley found out that he and Ophelia had a fake marriage, that he and Freya had deceived Ophelia for three years, and that Freya had now caused such a scandal, Wesley would break his legs.
Not to mention, he had nothing now. He was counting on Wesley to lend him some money to start over. If Wesley found out about all this, forget borrowing money—he'd be lucky if he could even step through the Adams family door.
He paced back and forth in the rental apartment, his mind racing.
The only solution was to get Ophelia to go back with him, temporarily play the loving couple, and fool Wesley.
But Ophelia was now the Smith family's daughter. Why would she go along with his plan?
Jeffrey gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to swallow his pride and beg Ophelia.
The next morning, he waited downstairs at the Smith Group building.
The morning sun had just started to light up the building when Ophelia stepped out of her car in a sharp business suit. She immediately spotted Jeffrey crouching by the flower bed.
His hair was messy, dark circles under his eyes; he was still wearing yesterday's wrinkled clothes. He looked completely down and out.
Seeing Ophelia, Jeffrey rushed over like he'd found a lifeline, his posture extremely humble, almost bowing: "Ophelia, I need to ask you a favor!"
Ophelia frowned and stepped aside, her tone cold: "I have nothing to say to you. Move."
"I know I was a jerk before, I'm not even human!" Jeffrey's eyes were red with desperation, clutching his hair, his tone as humble as it could get. "But I really have no other choice. My mom wants me to bring you home for dinner on Sunday. My grandfather wants to ask about the news from before. Just help me out this once, come with me, and put on an act. Afterwards, I'll transfer all my remaining shares in Jeffrey Technologies to you, okay?"
Ophelia raised an eyebrow, finding the scene ridiculous: "You think I need your worthless shares?"
"I know you don't!" Jeffrey quickly added, his tone pleading. "I'll do whatever you want! Be your servant, run errands for you, just please agree to go back with me this once and help me deceive my family!"
Ophelia stared at his panicked expression, and suddenly an idea popped into her head.
She thought of Wesley. Back when she thought she and Jeffrey were really married, Wesley had treated her pretty well.
Although Jeffrey's kindness was built on deception, Wesley's goodwill was real.
Besides, she wanted to see just how low Jeffrey could go, and what Freya's reaction would be if she knew Jeffrey was begging her to play his wife.
"Fine," Ophelia said slowly.
Jeffrey's eyes lit up instantly, like he'd seen light in the darkness: "Really? You agree?"
"But I have conditions." Ophelia cut him off, her tone firm. "Transfer those shares to me right now."
Jeffrey hesitated for a moment, thinking about Jeffrey Technologies' situation and the money Wesley had, then gritted his teeth and agreed: "Okay! I agree to everything! I'll transfer the shares right now!"
Ophelia watched his eager expression, a mocking smile playing at her lips.