Chapter 64
"But let me give you some advice—don't waste your energy. I know exactly what type of William likes. He likes gentle, sensible women from similar backgrounds. You're nowhere near his standards."
"Even if he's with you now, it's only temporary. Once I move back to settle down, he'll naturally come back to me."
Ophelia looked at Scarlett's smug expression and felt both annoyed and amused.
Was there something wrong with Scarlett's brain?
"Ms. Lewis, aren't you a bit too full of yourself?" Ophelia stood up, looking down at her. "What kind of person William is and who he likes—that's not for you to judge."
"My relationship with him is between him and me. It has nothing to do with you. If you really like him, go after him fair and square. Playing these little tricks just makes you look cheap."
"You!" Scarlett was so choked up she couldn't speak, her face turning red and white.
She hadn't expected Ophelia to be so sharp-tongued and completely unfazed.
Just then, the meeting room door was pushed open.
William walked in, and seeing the scene inside, his brows immediately furrowed.
"William!" Scarlett's eyes lit up when she saw William. She immediately put on a gentle expression and quickly walked over, trying to take his arm.
William stepped aside, looking at her with cold eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Scarlett's hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on her face stiffened.
She hadn't expected William to treat her this way.
"I... I came to discuss a business collaboration with Ms. Blake." Scarlett forced out a smile. "And to see you, by the way."
"A business collaboration?" William turned to look at Ophelia, his eyes questioning.
Ophelia shook her head, her tone calm. "She's not here for business. She came to tell me that she's the one most suited to be with you."
William's expression darkened further, and his eyes were full of disgust as he looked at Scarlett. "Scarlett, how many times have I told you? We're just ordinary friends. Stop pestering me."
"Ordinary friends?" Scarlett looked at him in disbelief. "William, we grew up together. How can you treat me like this? I know you've been manipulated by Ophelia. She's a calculating woman. She's getting close to you just to solidify her position in the Smith family!"
"Shut up!" William cut her off sharply. "I know better than you what kind of person Ophelia is. Stop talking nonsense."
He walked to Ophelia's side, reached out to hold her hand, his tone gentle. "Don't bother with her. Let's go."
Ophelia looked at William's determined eyes, and warmth flooded her heart.
When Scarlett said those things earlier, she had felt hurt and wronged, but William's protection instantly dispelled all the gloom.
"William, you can't treat me like this!" Scarlett panicked and stepped forward to grab William. "I'm the one who's right for you. We're the ones who should be together—everyone expects it. Ophelia doesn't deserve you!"
William turned back, his eyes cold. "Whether she deserves me or not isn't for you to say. Let me tell you, Scarlett—in this lifetime, I, William, will only choose to be with Ophelia."
"Whether it's the past, present, or future, she's the only person I want to spend my life with. If you dare to harass her again, don't blame me for not being nice."
He said these words decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
Scarlett was completely stunned, her face pale, tears welling up in her eyes. "William, how can you be so heartless? After all these years between us, you can just forget it all?"
"Between us, there never was what you call feelings." William's tone was completely flat. "We used to be friends. Now, we're not even that."
He pulled Ophelia along, turned, and left, without another glance at Scarlett.
Walking out of the meeting room, Ophelia could feel Scarlett's gaze behind her, sharp as a knife.
But she didn't care at all anymore.
William's protection was her greatest confidence.
At the elevator, William stopped and turned to look at her, his eyes full of concern. "Don't take what she said to heart."
Ophelia smiled and shook her head. "I didn't take it to heart. Nothing she said was true, so why would I care?"
Actually, she had felt a bit uncomfortable earlier—after all, being put down like that in public, anyone would be unhappy.
But William's words made all her discomfort vanish.
William looked at her, suddenly pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.
This kiss was gentle, firm, and carried a hint of possessiveness.
Ophelia's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss.
The elevator doors opened and closed, but they didn't notice.
It wasn't until their breathing became rapid that William slowly released her, pressing his forehead against hers. "Ophelia, everything I said just now was true."
Ophelia's cheeks were flushed, her eyes evasive. "What?"
"I said you're the only person I want to spend my life with." William's eyes were serious. "Let's go register our marriage right now, okay?"
Ophelia's head shot up, her eyes wide. "Right now? Isn't that too rushed? Did you apply for a marriage license?"
She never expected William to suddenly propose getting married.
Although she liked him and had thought about a future with him, getting married so suddenly still left her a bit dazed.
"It's not rushed. I applied for the marriage license when I realized you were the only person I wanted to marry." William held her hand, his tone incredibly firm. "I'm afraid something might go wrong between us, afraid there'll be more people like Scarlett coming to harass you, and even more afraid you might suddenly change your mind."
"Ophelia, I know you've suffered a lot before and lack security in relationships." His voice softened, tinged with sympathy. "I want to give you a proper status, give you a stable home, let you know that you'll always have me to rely on."
"There will be more difficulties and challenges ahead, and I want to face them with you as husband and wife."
Ophelia looked at William's sincere eyes, and emotion surged through her heart.
Ophelia took a deep breath, her eyes getting a bit red. "Okay, let's get married."
But she still had a small insistence. "But not right now—tomorrow morning. I want to prepare properly."
William smiled; the gloom in his eyes swept away, replaced by pure joy. "Okay, whatever you say. Tomorrow morning, I'll come pick you up."
He pulled Ophelia into the elevator, unable to suppress the smile on his face.
Ophelia looked at his happy expression, and her heart felt sweet too.
She looked down at their clasped hands and thought to herself: Maybe this is what happiness feels like.
The elevator reached the first floor, and William pulled Ophelia outside.
The receptionist and several employees saw this scene, and all showed gossipy smiles.
Ophelia's cheeks felt hot, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but William held it even tighter.