Chapter 72
She's now grounded, stripped of her power, while Ophelia is thriving more and more - not only becoming Vice President of the Smith Group, but also getting together with William. How could she stand for this?
"Ophelia, I will never let you have it easy. I'll make you pay!" Ainsley said through gritted teeth.
Just then, her phone rang. It was an unknown number.
She hesitated for a moment, then answered: "Hello, who is this?"
"Ainsley, it's me, Stanley." A familiar voice came from the other end.
Ainsley's eyes lit up - it was her cousin Stanley Smith!
Stanley had been abroad all this time. He'd always doted on her and went along with whatever she wanted.
"Stanley! You're back in the country?" Ainsley's tone instantly became pitiful. "Why are you only coming back now? I've been bullied to death here."
"What happened? Who's bullying you?" Stanley's tone immediately became serious. "Tell me slowly, I'll handle it for you."
Ainsley sniffled and started complaining: "Stanley, I'm not actually the Smith family's biological daughter. Their real daughter came back - that's Ophelia."
"After she came back, she's been targeting me at every turn, stealing my projects, and badmouthing me to Grandma. Now, even Grandma doesn't care about me anymore and has me grounded at home. I'm so wronged."
"I thought I was the Smith family's daughter, so I was a bit spoiled, but now I'm nothing - just an adopted daughter. She thinks I'm easy to bully and has taken everything from me."
Stanley got angry hearing this: "This Ophelia is way out of line! How dare she bully you like this!"
"Ainsley, don't worry. Now that I'm back, I'll definitely get justice for you and take back everything that belongs to you!"
Ainsley felt pleased inside but still pretended to stop him: "Stanley, don't do this. Ophelia is very much in Grandma's good graces now, and she has William backing her up. We'd better not provoke her."
"Provoke? She provoked you first!" Stanley snorted coldly. "She's someone who just got recognized by the family, yet she dares to act so arrogantly in the Smith family. I want to see just how capable she really is!"
"Wait for me, we'll figure this out together and make sure she pays!"
After hanging up, Ainsley's face showed a sinister smile. Ophelia, this time with Stanley helping me, let's see how smug you can be!
After thinking for a moment, she got up and went to Mireille's room.
"Grandma." Ainsley walked up to Mireille and dropped to her knees with a thud, her eyes reddening.
"What are you doing?" Mireille frowned. "Whatever you want to say, get up and say it."
"Grandma, I know I was wrong," Ainsley said tearfully. "Before, I always thought I was the Smith family's daughter, so I was so willful and kept targeting Ophelia."
"Now I finally understand - I'm just an adopted daughter. Ophelia is the Smith family's real daughter. I shouldn't have competed with her for things or been jealous of her."
"I was just so scared - scared that you wouldn't like me anymore, scared that I'd lose everything I have now."
Mireille looked at her and sighed inwardly. Although she was unhappy with what Ainsley had done before, seeing her like this, her heart softened.
"Get up," Mireille said. "What's past is past. As long as you behave yourself from now on and stop with those tricks, I won't abandon you."
"Thank you, Grandma!" Ainsley quickly stood up, wiped her tears, and smiled. "Grandma, my birthday is coming up in a few days. I'd like to throw a small party and invite some friends and family. I also want to take this chance to make peace with Ophelia."
Mireille thought about it and nodded: "That's fine. A party will liven things up, and you really should get along better with Ophelia."
Ainsley felt pleased inside but kept up her obedient act: "Thank you, Grandma. I'll definitely make peace with Ophelia."
She made sure to invite both Ophelia and William, along with many other friends and family. She wanted to humiliate Ophelia at the party.
Ophelia was a bit surprised when she got the invitation, but didn't think much of it.
On the day of the party, the Smith Mansion was bustling with guests everywhere.
Stanley arrived early. When Ainsley saw him, she immediately went up to him with a smile: "Stanley!"
"Ainsley, happy birthday." Stanley handed her a gift box, his eyes full of affection. "Has that Ophelia arrived yet? I want to see what she looks like - how dare she bully you?"
Ainsley felt pleased inside but pretended to be wronged: "Stanley, don't be like this. Today is my birthday party. I want to make peace with Ophelia."
"She's doing really well now, and she has William backing her up. We'd better not provoke her."
"Provoke?" Stanley snorted coldly. "She provoked you first! Today I'm definitely going to get justice for you!"
Just then, Ophelia and William walked in side by side.
Ophelia wore a light blue dress, looking graceful and elegant. William wore a black suit, standing tall and straight. Together, they made a striking pair.
Ainsley saw them, a flash of malice in her eyes, then put on a fake smile and went to greet them: "Ophelia, Mr. Brown, you're here. Please, come in."
Ophelia looked at her, her tone flat: "Happy birthday."
She had no good feelings toward Ainsley and didn't want to play nice with her.
Stanley saw Ophelia, and his expression immediately turned cold. He stepped forward, blocking her path.
"So you're Ophelia?" Stanley's tone was unfriendly, his eyes full of hostility.
Ophelia frowned, not understanding why this person had such hostility toward her: "I am. And you are?"
"I'm Stanley Smith, Ainsley's cousin." Stanley snorted coldly. "I want to ask you - what gives you the right to bully Ainsley? What gives you the right to take her things?"
"She's been with the Smith family for so many years and meant you no harm. Why do you target her and make her unable to hold her head up in the Smith family?"
Ophelia paused, then understood - Ainsley must have said something to him.
"Mr. Smith, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want." Ophelia's tone was calm. "I've never bullied Ainsley, and I've never taken her things."
"I got those projects through my own abilities, and my position in the Smith family is something I earned through my own efforts. It has nothing to do with anyone else."
"As for why Ainsley can't hold her head up, you should ask her what she's done. She knows very well in her own heart."
"You still dare to make excuses?" Stanley glared at her. "Ainsley is so kind - how could she do anything bad? You must be lying!"
"Today is Ainsley's birthday party, and you still dare to slander her here. I see you have no real intention of making peace with her!"