Chapter 45
Early Sunday morning, Ophelia made an effort to dress up, choosing a proper off-white dress, and went to the supermarket to buy some pastries that Wesley loved.
Jeffrey was waiting for her at the villa entrance with Kaida, who had changed into a clean pink dress with her hair neatly combed, but she remained quiet as always, tightly clutching Jeffrey's clothes.
"Ophelia, why did you buy all this stuff? My grandfather doesn't need it." Jeffrey frowned when he saw the bag in her hand.
"Does it make sense to show up empty-handed?" Ophelia glanced at him. "You can't even remember what your grandfather likes to eat, and you have the nerve to criticize me?"
"I've been busy with company stuff," Jeffrey muttered.
Ophelia ignored him and turned to Kaida. "Get in the car."
Kaida hesitated for a moment, then followed Ophelia into the car.
In the car, Kaida stole several glances at Ophelia, wanting to say something but holding back.
Ophelia pretended not to notice and focused on driving.
As they approached the Adams Mansion, Kaida finally spoke softly, "Ophelia, will he not like me?"
"I don't know." Ophelia's tone remained cool.
Kaida's eyes dimmed, and she said nothing more.
Jeffrey saw this scene in the rearview mirror and felt uncomfortable, but didn't know what to say.
He had indeed been neglecting Kaida lately. The mess at Jeffrey Technologies had him overwhelmed, and Freya was crying all the time—he had no energy left to care about Kaida.
The car had just turned into the alley where the Adams Mansion was located when they saw Wesley standing at the door with his cane, looking quite spirited.
Ophelia stopped the car and had just opened the door when Wesley came up with a smile. "Ophelia's here. Was there much traffic?"
"No, you're looking as strong as ever." Ophelia handed over what she'd brought, her tone respectful.
Wesley took the bag, opened it for a look, and his smile deepened. "You're so thoughtful, you know these are my favorite pastries."
Kaida followed behind Ophelia, greeting him quietly.
Wesley's smile faded a bit. He just nodded without patting Kaida's head like he used to, then turned and walked toward the courtyard. "Come inside, I had the chef make chicken soup, saved it especially for you."
Ophelia knew Wesley must have heard about Freya and had developed some distance toward Kaida as well.
Inside, Phoenix had already set the table with food—most of the dishes were ones Ophelia used to love, and the aroma of chicken soup filled the whole house.
"Ophelia, sit down, try my fish, it's still the flavor you like." Phoenix warmly greeted her and put a large piece of fish on her plate.
Ophelia thanked her and picked up her fork, but didn't have much appetite.
Wesley sat at the head of the table, his gaze moving between Ophelia and Jeffrey. "I saw all that messy news online. I'm just glad you two are okay."
"I see your relationship isn't really having any major problems. When are you going to have a child?"
At these words, the atmosphere at the table paused.
Ophelia's fork stopped. She looked up at him. "Grandpa, right now my main focus is on work. The resort just started, and I haven't thought about getting pregnant yet."
Jeffrey quickly chimed in, "Right, Ophelia is the project manager at the Smith Group now, she's really busy. There's no rush about getting pregnant."
"Focusing on your career is good, but you can't delay life's important matters." Wesley put down his cup. "You're not young anymore. Have a child sooner, and the family will be livelier."
Ophelia said nothing more, just lowered her head to eat, thinking about getting through this and leaving as soon as possible.
Kaida sat beside them, quietly eating, occasionally stealing a glance at Ophelia before quickly lowering her head again, not daring to say much.
Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the ground came from outside the courtyard gate, mixed with voices. "Dad, I'm here for a meal. I heard Ophelia's here, too?"
It was Jeffrey's aunt, Sloane Adams.
Ophelia sighed inwardly, sensing this meal wouldn't be peaceful.
As soon as Sloane entered, her eyes landed on Ophelia, looking her up and down before a mocking smile curved her lips. "If it isn't Ophelia? I heard you're pretty impressive now, getting close to the Brown Group's CEO?"
"What, forgot who gave you your confidence?"
Ophelia looked up at her, her tone calm. "You're joking. I'm just here to have a meal with Grandpa. Mr. Brown and I just have a business relationship."
"Business relationship?" Sloane laughed coldly, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "I think you're climbing the social ladder, aren't you? It's all over the internet, saying you used Mr. Brown's connections to establish yourself at the Smith Group. Otherwise, how could a divorced woman like you get such a big project?"
"You need evidence when you talk." Ophelia put down her fork. "I got where I am at the Smith Group through my own ability. I stayed up late working on the project proposal, and I personally dealt with the clients. It has nothing to do with Mr. Brown."
"Ability?" Sloane rolled her eyes. "What ability do you have? When you were at Jeffrey Technologies, weren't you just living off Jeffrey? Now that you're divorced, you want to live off other men. You really have no backbone."
Wesley's expression darkened. "Sloane, if you're eating, just eat. Say less."
"Dad, I'm just telling the truth, aren't I?" Sloane wasn't backing down. "I just can't stand the way she acts, thinking she can reach the sky in one step by hooking up with Mr. Brown, without considering whether she's worthy."
"The Adams family may not be some top-tier wealthy family, but we can't let this kind of woman ruin our reputation."
Ophelia looked at her high-and-mighty attitude and found it laughable. "You think I'm not worthy of the Adams family, so what kind of person is worthy?"
"Someone like you, who lives off her husband, comes back to the Adams Mansion every time asking for money, and thinks it's perfectly natural?"
Sloane's face instantly turned the color of liver. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know in your heart." Ophelia smiled faintly. "Your husband's company hasn't been doing well lately. Last month, you came back and asked Grandpa for two hundred thousand dollars, saying it was to buy your son a car, but it was actually to fill the holes in your husband's company, wasn't it?"
"You yourself depend on men to live; what right do you have to criticize me?"
Sloane was so angry that she slammed the table. "Ophelia, how dare you talk to me like this!"
"I'm stating facts." Ophelia stood up and looked at Wesley. "Grandpa, I'm full. I have things to do, so I'll leave first."
Wesley sighed. "Ophelia, don't stoop to Sloane's level. Stay a bit longer."
"No, thank you, Grandpa. I'll come see you again when I have time." Ophelia bowed and headed straight for the door.
Seeing this, Jeffrey quickly got up to follow. "Ophelia, wait for me!"
Sloane cursed behind them, but Wesley sternly stopped her. "Shut up! Ophelia's right, you need to do some serious self-reflection!"