Chapter 81
William looked at Mabel coldly, his tone completely flat: "I remember the Lewis family's help back then, and I've already paid it back many times over. The Brown Group is where it is today because of my own efforts; it has nothing to do with the Lewis family."
"And so what if we were childhood friends? My wife now is Ophelia. I protect my wife - that's only proper. As for Scarlett, what she did today doesn't deserve my help."
"Let me make this clear: I won't meet with Scarlett alone, and please keep your daughter under control. Don't let her bother Ophelia again, or don't blame me for not being polite to the Lewis family."
William's words were firm and decisive, without any hesitation, and he didn't give Soren and Mabel any face at all.
Soren and Mabel's faces turned extremely ugly. They were left speechless by William's words, their eyes full of anger and resentment, but they didn't dare to really confront William. After all, the Brown Group's power was far beyond what the Lewis Group could compare to.
Scarlett lay in the hospital bed, watching William firmly protect Ophelia, seeing his coldness toward her, Soren, and Mabel. Grievance and anger twisted together in her heart, along with deep despair.
Her tears fell even harder, but she could only lie in the hospital bed, watching helplessly as William was gentle and caring toward Ophelia while being cold as ice to her.
William stopped paying attention to Soren, Mabel, and Scarlett. He looked down at Ophelia in his arms, his tone instantly becoming gentle: "Let's go. It's too noisy here. I'll take you home to rest."
Ophelia nodded, leaning against him, and followed him as he turned and walked out of the hospital room, leaving Soren, Mabel, and Scarlett behind.
Walking out of the hospital, the night wind carried a hint of coolness that cleared their heads a bit. Ophelia wrapped herself in William's jacket and walked beside him toward the car.
Getting into the car, the driver immediately started the engine. The car was very quiet, with only the sound of the air conditioning.
William leaned back against his seat, his brows tightly furrowed, a trace of dejection and guilt in his eyes. He didn't speak, just reached out and held Ophelia's hand tightly.
Ophelia could sense his emotions. She knew he was blaming himself for today's events, feeling that he hadn't protected her well enough, which led to her suffering such grievances and nearly getting hurt.
She didn't speak first, just gently squeezed his hand back, lightly scratching his palm with her fingertips, as if comforting him.
William turned to look at her, his eyes full of guilt: "I'm sorry, Ophelia. I didn't protect you well enough. I let you suffer."
Ophelia shook her head, looked at him, smiled, and spoke gently: "It's not your fault. I was the one who wanted to meet Scarlett. It has nothing to do with you. Besides, you came very quickly today and saved me. I should be thanking you."
"Plus, I haven't really suffered any grievances. You've always protected me and believed in me - that's enough. I don't care what others say or think."
"As for Scarlett, if they want to cause trouble, we'll deal with it. We'll face whatever comes our way. There's nothing to be afraid of - after all, I have you by my side."
Ophelia's words flowed like a warm current into William's heart, driving away his dejection and guilt. He looked at Ophelia before him, his eyes full of tenderness and cherishing, reached out to pull her into his arms, and held her tightly.
"With me here, no matter what happens in the future, I'll protect you. I won't let you suffer any grievances again, won't let you fall into danger again." William's voice was close to her ear, gentle yet firm.
Ophelia leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling his warm embrace, her heart full of security and happiness.
The car drove smoothly along the road. The atmosphere inside was warm and quiet. Ophelia and William just held each other like this, not needing many words - they could both feel each other's hearts.
On the other side, in the hospital room, Soren and Mabel looked at the tearful Scarlett, their hearts also full of helplessness and anger.
Soren sat in a chair nearby, his face gloomy, and let out a heavy sigh: "Forget it, Scarlett. Stop being obsessed with William. He doesn't have you in his heart at all. He's not worth it."
"Today, he could turn against the Lewis family for Ophelia's sake. In the future, he'll be even less likely to treat you well. Let's go home. Dad will introduce you to better men later. There are plenty of men more outstanding than William."
Mabel also sat by the hospital bed, wiping Scarlett's tears, and advised: "That's right, Scarlett. Listen to your father. Don't be foolish anymore. A man like William, who forgets favors, isn't worth all this effort from you. The Lewis family isn't short on money. Are you afraid you won't find a good man?"
"Give him up. From now on, we'll live our lives well and never have anything to do with him and Ophelia again, okay?"
Scarlett shook her head, tears falling even harder, her eyes full of stubbornness and resentment: "No, I won't give up! William is mine, always has been! If I hadn't gone abroad to study back then, that woman Ophelia would never have had the chance to take advantage!"
"She's just a latecomer. She stole my William; she ruined the relationship between William and me. I will never give him up. I must win him back!"
"Mom, Dad, you're my parents. You have to help me. I can't lose William. I'll marry no one but him in this life!"
Scarlett grabbed Mabel's hand, pleading desperately, her eyes full of begging and a trace of madness.
Mabel and Soren exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. They knew Scarlett too well. Once Scarlett decided on something, it couldn't be changed. Since she had decided to win back William, she would definitely try every possible method, and no one could stop her.
Soren was silent for a long time, but eventually softened, letting out a heavy sigh: "Then what do you want us to do to help you?"
Hearing this, Scarlett's eyes immediately lit up. Her tears stopped, and a trace of malice flashed in her eyes.
"I want to ruin her reputation, make everyone in Emerald City despise her, make William see her true face, make William come back to me! Blow this thing up, let everyone know Ophelia's true colors!"
Early the next morning, just after dawn, the internet exploded.
#Ophelia Pushes Someone Into the River#
#Ophelia is a mistress#
#Ophelia's Vicious Heart# and other topics shot to the top of trending searches overnight, with heat remaining high.
On all major social media platforms, there were discussions about this incident everywhere. Someone even posted photos of Scarlett in the hospital. In the photos, Scarlett looked pale, lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip, looking especially pitiful.
There was also a carefully edited audio recording. In the recording, there was only Scarlett's tearful complaints and Ophelia's silence, making it sound like Ophelia was admitting to pushing someone, confirming her guilt.