Chapter 63
Ophelia stared at the cultural tourism complex design on her computer screen, rubbing her aching temples.
She'd been swamped with work lately - overseeing the final stages of the resort villa and handling the approval process for the land in the southern part of the city. Her mind hadn't stopped racing.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from William: "Don't leave after work. Wait for me. I'll take you somewhere to relax."
Ophelia looked at the screen, her lips curling up involuntarily.
She quickly replied: "Okay, where are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there. I guarantee it'll help you shake off all that stress." William's reply had a hint of mystery to it.
Ophelia closed the chat window, feeling unexpectedly excited.
She tidied up the documents on her desk and headed to the restroom.
The woman in the mirror had faint dark circles under her eyes and looked a bit pale. She really did need to relax.
She pulled out her cushion compact from her bag and lightly touched up her makeup in the mirror, then smoothed her hair. Satisfied that she looked better, she turned to leave.
As soon as she got back to her desk, Della came over, eyes sparkling.
"Ms. Blake, looking at how happy you are, is Mr. Brown asking you out?"
Ophelia glared at her and tapped her head: "Are you done with your work? Got that much free time?"
"Not yet, but I noticed Ms. Blake seems different today." Della rubbed his head with a cheeky grin. "Mr. Brown really cares about you. Last time you sprained your ankle, he brought you ointment every day, and now he's especially taking you out to relax. Makes us single people so jealous."
"If you're jealous, go find someone yourself. Stop focusing on my business." Ophelia sounded dismissive, but her heart felt a bit sweet.
She picked up her bag and was about to leave when the intercom on her desk suddenly rang.
It was the receptionist: "Ms. Blake, there's a visitor downstairs for you. She says she's the head of a subsidiary under the Lewis Group and wants to discuss a partnership."
Ophelia paused.
The Lewis Group? She hadn't reached out to them.
Could they be coming for the cultural tourism complex project?
"Did you let her come up?" Ophelia asked.
"Not yet, waiting for your instructions."
"Have her wait in the reception room. I'll be right down." Ophelia hung up, feeling a bit puzzled.
Della leaned over: "The Lewis Group? Aren't they in cosmetics? Why would they suddenly want to partner with us on cultural tourism?"
"Who knows? I'll find out when I see her." Ophelia didn't think much of it and headed toward the elevator.
She figured if the project was suitable, having another partner wouldn't hurt. If it wasn't reliable, she'd just turn it down.
At the reception room door, Ophelia pushed it open.
Inside sat a woman in a tight red dress with elaborate makeup and big wavy hair, taking selfies on her phone with an attitude as proud as a peacock.
Hearing the noise, the woman looked up. She sized up Ophelia from head to toe, her eyes filled with undisguised scrutiny.
"You're Ophelia?" The woman's voice carried a condescending tone.
"I am. And you are?" Ophelia sat down across from her, her confusion deepening.
This woman's attitude didn't seem like she was here to discuss business - more like she was here to cause trouble.
"I'm Scarlett Lewis, head of NovaWorks under the Lewis Group." Scarlett put down her phone and picked up the water glass on the table, but didn't drink. She just ran her finger along the rim. "I've heard the Smith Group recently appointed a new vice president. Now that I've met you, you're just so-so."
Ophelia frowned but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
"Your office environment at the Smith Group is pretty mediocre, isn't it?" Scarlett looked around the reception room with disdain in her voice. "This sofa looks cheap, the cups are bargain items - no wonder you can't pull off any high-end projects."
Ophelia felt her anger rising.
Scarlett was clearly here to cause trouble, not to discuss business.
"Ms. Lewis, if you're here to discuss a partnership, please get to the point." Ophelia's tone turned cold. "If you're here to nitpick, I have other things to do. Please excuse me."
"Why the rush?" Scarlett smiled, her eyes full of mockery. "I'm just making conversation. But speaking of which, Ms. Blake, you got your vice president position pretty easily, didn't you?"
She leaned forward, lowering her voice: "I heard you're the Smith family's biological daughter, whom they just found, that you used to be an orphan with no background. Just after being reunited with your family, you became vice president. That's some pretty good luck."
Ophelia's heart skipped a beat.
So she was here to target her after all.
"How I got my position is none of your concern." Ophelia leaned back in her chair, looking at her calmly. "If there's nothing else, I won't keep you company."
"Don't rush off." Scarlett stopped her, a provocative smile playing on her lips. "I also heard you're pretty close to William? What, trying to use him to solidify your position?"
Ophelia's gaze turned cold: "My relationship with Mr. Brown is none of your business."
"How is it not my business?" Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "William is my childhood friend. We grew up together. If I hadn't gone abroad back then, it would never have been your turn."
Those words were like a thorn piercing Ophelia's heart.
Looking at Scarlett, she suddenly understood.
Scarlett wasn't here to discuss business at all; she was here because of William.
"Ms. Lewis, you need evidence when you make claims." Ophelia's tone carried a warning. "If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll have to ask you to leave."
"Nonsense?" Scarlett scoffed. "My relationship with William isn't something a woman who just appeared out of nowhere like you can compare to."
"We went to kindergarten together, studied abroad together. If my family hadn't made me stay overseas to manage the subsidiary, the woman by William's side right now would definitely be me."
She looked Ophelia up and down, her disdain growing thicker: "You think William really likes you? He just finds you novel, that's all. You're an orphan who was switched at birth, with no proper education - how could you possibly be worthy of him?"
"The Smith family only took you back because you have Smith blood in your veins. Once you're no longer useful, they'll abandon you just the same."
"And your current position - if William wasn't backing you up, do you think you could hold onto it?"
Scarlett's words came like rapid fire, each one hitting Ophelia's sore spots.
Ophelia gripped her bag strap tightly, her knuckles turning white.
She admitted she used to be an orphan with no background or connections, but her position, her achievements - she'd fought for them bit by bit, and they had nothing to do with anyone else.
"Ms. Lewis, whether I'm worthy of Mr. Brown isn't for you to judge." Ophelia took a deep breath, suppressing her anger. "If you have nothing else, please leave. You're not welcome here."
"What, did I hit a nerve? Getting upset?" Scarlett smiled even more smugly. "Looking at your makeup and outfit, you're all dressed up for your date with William tonight, aren't you? All this effort - I wonder if William will even like it."