Chapter 48
Ophelia dodged to the side and slapped his hand away: "Get lost. Don't make trouble for yourself."
"Playing hard to get?" The man's face darkened as he called to his bodyguards, "Take her outside and teach her some manners."
Just as the bodyguards were about to move forward, a cold voice rang out: "Who dares touch her?"
William was standing nearby—no one had noticed when he arrived. His sharp gaze was like a knife, and the aura around him was suffocating.
He strode over and stood beside Ophelia, looking coldly at the man in the floral shirt: "Do you know who she is? Vice President of the Smith Group, future heir of the Smith Group. And you dare mess with her?"
The man's face instantly turned pale. He knew who William was, and he knew the weight the Smith Group carried. His legs started trembling.
"Mr. Brown, this is a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!" He waved his hands frantically, "I didn't know she was Ms. Blake. I've been so rude. Please, Ms. Blake, forgive me this once."
Ophelia said nothing. William ignored him too, turning to Chase behind him: "Spread the word—cancel all cooperation with his company. No future dealings, ever."
"No, Mr. Brown!" The man was nearly in tears, "Our company depends on cooperation with the Brown Group to survive. You can't cancel it!"
Ophelia looked at his pathetic state and added, "Also, check if your company has any cooperation with the Smith Group. If so, cancel that too."
The man completely collapsed to the floor. With both the Smith Group and Brown Group cutting ties, his company's bankruptcy was just around the corner.
Everyone around was stunned into silence. No one expected this seemingly ordinary woman to be the heir of the Smith Group.
The auction house manager rushed over to apologize: "Mr. Brown, Ms. Blake, I'm so sorry. This is our fault for not managing things properly and disturbing you."
"Get him out of here." William's tone was indifferent.
Security immediately came forward and dragged the man out, who kept begging for mercy.
After the commotion settled, William pointed to an empty seat nearby: "Have a seat. My spot is here."
Ophelia sat down and looked at him: "Why are you here too?"
"Came to see if there are any good investment opportunities." William smiled, "But I didn't expect the Smith Group name to be so useful—one sentence and he showed his true colors."
Ophelia smiled too: "It's mainly your intimidation factor. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so scared."
"The feeling's mutual." William turned to look at her, his eyes smiling, "The auction's about to start. See if there's anything you like—I'll bid on it for you."
"No need. I'm here for my grandmother. She asked me to bid on a painting." Ophelia shook her head.
After the auction started, Ophelia focused on the stage while William occasionally whispered background information about various items to her.
When the painting came up for auction, the competition was fierce, with several people raising their paddles.
Ophelia raised her paddle several times, only to be outbid by others.
Just then, William raised his paddle and called out a price far exceeding the estimate. Instantly, no one dared bid higher.
"What are you doing?" Ophelia looked at him in confusion.
"Saving you the trouble." William looked at her, "Can't mess up something Mrs. Smith asked you to do."
Warmth filled Ophelia's heart. She was about to say thank you when she heard the auctioneer announce the painting belonged to William.
When the item was brought over, William handed it directly to her: "Take it. Consider it a promotional gift from me."
Ophelia didn't refuse and took the painting: "Then I'll thank you on behalf of my grandmother. I'll transfer the money to you later."
"No need," William shook his head, "Consider it a gift celebrating our successful partnership. The resort's success is largely thanks to you."
Hearing him say this, Ophelia didn't insist further and accepted it.
By the time the auction ended, night had completely fallen, and a cool evening breeze was blowing outside.
William naturally took the painting from Ophelia's hands. "I'll drive you home."
Ophelia didn't refuse. After dealing with shareholders all day, the auction drama, and being flustered by William's unexpected help, she was too tired to drive.
They walked out of the hotel side by side. William's car was parked right at the entrance. He opened the passenger door and thoughtfully put his hand over the door frame to prevent her from hitting her head.
Ophelia got in, and the familiar woody scent washed over her, somehow relaxing her tense nerves.
The car smoothly merged into traffic. The interior lights were off, with only the faint glow from the dashboard softening William's profile.
Ophelia leaned back in her seat, her eyelids growing heavier. The day's exhaustion rushed over her all at once, and soon she closed her eyes, her breathing gradually becoming steady.
William caught a glimpse of her sleeping from the corner of his eye, and something seemed to gently scratch at his heart, softening it.
He instinctively leaned closer to her, his breath almost brushing her cheek. After hesitating for two seconds, he finally couldn't resist the flutter in his heart and gently pressed a kiss on her smooth forehead.
The moment the soft touch landed, Ophelia's eyelashes trembled, and her eyes flew open.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.
Ophelia's pupils dilated slightly, heat instantly flooding her face. Her breathing became erratic, and she instinctively tried to pull back, but the seat blocked her—there was nowhere to go.
William didn't move either, maintaining his leaning position. His nose was only a few centimeters from hers, and he could clearly smell the faint fragrance on her body, mixed with the scent of grass carried by the evening breeze.
The tenderness in his eyes hadn't had time to fade, and now it was tinged with a burning intensity as he locked onto her eyes. Without speaking, he slowly moved closer.
Ophelia's heartbeat was racing as it would burst from her chest. Her fingers instinctively clutched at her clothes, but she didn't push him away.
Her tacit permission seemed to signal William. He lowered his head, his lips gently covering hers.
Unlike the gentle kiss on her forehead, this kiss carried an irresistible heat, lingering and intimate.
Ophelia's whole body stiffened, then it was as if she'd been set on fire—her cheeks burning hot, even her breath becoming scorching.
She closed her eyes tightly, her eyelashes trembling violently, but still didn't push him away. Instead, she instinctively raised her hand and lightly grasped the corner of his shirt.
Feeling her response, William deepened the kiss, pouring out long-suppressed emotions in lingering passion.
Only their intertwined breathing remained in the car, growing more rapid, the intimate atmosphere almost drowning them.
After what seemed like forever, William slowly pulled back, his forehead resting against hers, his burning breath falling on her face.
"Did you like it?" His voice was low and husky, with a trace of barely perceptible nervousness.
Ophelia suddenly snapped back to reality. As if scalded, she pushed him away, her cheeks flushed red enough to drip blood. Not daring to meet his eyes, she could only turn to look out the window.