Chapter 62
Just then, Sloane walked in.
As soon as she entered, she saw the heavy atmosphere in the living room and a smile crept across her lips.
"Dad, Mom, what's wrong? Why do you both look so upset?" she asked with fake concern, though her eyes held a hint of schadenfreude.
"What else could it be? It's all because of that troublemaker Ophelia!" Hermione said irritably. "I asked her to help the Adams family out, and she just flat-out refused without any consideration for our relationship!"
Sloane was thrilled inside, but put on a surprised face: "What? Ophelia was that heartless?"
"She's now the Vice President of the Smith Group and a partner of the Brown Group. With all that power and influence, why would she care about us at the Adams family anymore?"
"But Mom and Dad, don't worry too much." She changed her tone, her face showing a proud smile. "I've secured investment for the Adams Group!"
Hermione and Wesley's eyes lit up as they asked in unison: "Really? When did this happen? Who's the investor?"
"Of course it's real!" Sloane lifted her chin proudly. "It's Harmony City's richest man, Lonnie Caldwell!"
"A few days ago, when I was on a business trip to Harmony City, I happened to run into Lonnie's wife having some trouble, and I helped her out. She remembered that kindness."
"Later, when she heard about the Adams Group's situation, Lonnie happened to want to expand his business in Emerald City, so he agreed to invest in us!"
"The funding is basically settled. Once we sign the contract, the money will come through, and the Adams Group's crisis will be resolved!"
Hermione and Wesley's faces instantly brightened, their earlier worries completely swept away.
"That's wonderful! Sloane, you've done us a huge favor!" Hermione said excitedly. "My daughter is so capable!"
"So much better than your useless brother!"
Sloane smiled even more proudly: "Mom, this is what I should do. I'm part of the Adams family, so naturally I need to look out for the Adams family."
"Once the funds come through, the Adams Group's stock price will definitely stabilize, and then we'll get through this crisis!"
Hermione nodded repeatedly, praising Sloane endlessly.
Sloane calculated in her mind that once the Adams family got through this crisis, her position in the family would definitely rise higher and higher. Then she'd see who would dare look down on her.
Meanwhile, Ophelia had just finished washing up and changed her clothes when she heard the doorbell ring.
She walked to the door, puzzled, and looked through the peephole to see that it was actually William.
Why was he here?
She opened the door to see William holding a thermal food container, his face wearing a smile: "Good morning."
"Why are you here?" Ophelia let him in, somewhat surprised. "So early."
"I was passing by and brought you some breakfast." William walked into the house and set the thermal container on the dining table. "I knew you didn't eat properly yesterday, so I had the chef make some porridge specially."
Ophelia felt warmth in her heart, not expecting him to be so thoughtful.
"How did you know I didn't eat properly?" she asked.
"Just a guess." William smiled and opened the thermal container. "Try it quickly, it's still hot."
Ophelia picked up a spoon and took a sip of the porridge. The warm porridge slid into her stomach, feeling wonderful.
"It's delicious, thank you." She looked up and smiled at him.
After breakfast, William packed up the thermal container and said to Ophelia, "Let's go, time to head to work."
Ophelia nodded, grabbed her bag, and followed him out of the villa.
The car drove smoothly along the road. Ophelia leaned back in her seat, watching the scenery outside the window, feeling very peaceful inside.
"By the way, about the cultural tourism complex site selection, that piece of land in the southern part of the city - I've had people negotiate it, and it's almost done. The price is quite a bit lower than expected." William suddenly spoke up.
"Really? That's great!" Ophelia's eyes lit up. "Thank you, you've helped me so much."
"Why be so formal with me?" William turned to look at her, his lips curved in a smile. "We're business partners, and even more..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning in his eyes was clear.
Ophelia's cheeks grew slightly warm. She quickly turned to look out the window, but her heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
She knew that her relationship with William was no longer just that of business partners.
Perhaps she really could try to let go of past shadows and bravely accept this relationship.
The car soon arrived downstairs at the Smith Group.
"We're here." William stopped the car.
"Thank you for driving me over, and for breakfast." Ophelia unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to get out.
"I'll pick you up tonight, dinner together?" William asked.
Ophelia hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."
"I'll head up first, then." She opened the car door and, before getting out, turned back to smile at William.
"Go ahead, don't work too hard." William looked at her with gentle eyes.
Ophelia nodded, turned, and walked into the building.
Watching her figure disappear from view, William finally started the car and left.
Ophelia entered the elevator, still thinking about William's earlier gaze, unable to stop the corners of her mouth from turning up.
She reached her desk and had just sat down when Della came over with a gossipy expression: "Ms. Blake, that was Mr. Brown who dropped you off just now, right?"
Ophelia was stunned: "You saw?"
"Of course I saw!" Della nodded. "Mr. Brown is so good to you - he personally drove you to work, and you were carrying a thermal container. Did he bring you breakfast?"
Ophelia's cheeks grew slightly warm: "Don't talk nonsense, we just happened to run into each other."
"Just happened to?" Della raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe it. The way Mr. Brown looks at you is different - full of tenderness."
"Ms. Blake, just admit it. Are you and Mr. Brown dating?"
Ophelia glared at her. What nonsense was she talking about?
"Say one more word, and you lose this month's bonus."
Della immediately shut her mouth, made a pleading gesture, and ran back to her own desk.
Ophelia shook her head helplessly, but felt a bit sweet inside.
She opened her computer and started handling work, but her mind was thinking about having dinner with William tonight.
Perhaps dating wasn't so scary after all. She could try again.
At least being with William, she felt a sense of security and warmth she'd never experienced before.
She took a deep breath and focused her attention on work.
The city cultural tourism complex project was her first major project after her promotion. She had to do it well and couldn't make any mistakes.
She opened the project files and began studying them carefully.
After all, as long as she did her current work well, taking over the Smith Group in the future would be easy.