Chapter 15
Emily couldn’t help basking in the envious glances of the other girls. A deep sense of satisfaction filled her as she looked at their expressions
“Thank you, Miles,” she said with a sweet smile. Normally, she would’ve leaned up and kissed him lightly on the cheek, but ever since she met Kenneth, Miles no longer seemed like the ultimate catch to her.
She thought, ‘If it were Kenneth, he wouldn’t just book one floor.
“TII leave you ladies to chat. I have to go see a client,” Miles said as he nodded to the group and made his way out.
Emily nodded. “Alright.”
Once he was gone, Hannah suggested, “Why don’t we hit the shops later? I heard La Reverie just opened a store in Paralet Shopping Center. It’s their very first flagship, apparently. Emily, want to check it out?”
Although Emily had already secured a blush pink gown from Heather months ago and even received another gown from Nathan, the mention of La Reverie immediately brought her back to the charity auction.
She couldn’t help but think that if she could host her birthday party at Everland Hotel, dressed in a La Reverie gown, it might be just what she needed to shift public opinion back in her favor.
“Sounds good. Let’s go take a look later,” Emily agreed.
Hannah suddenly pointed toward a girl sitting nearby. “Hey, do you see that black gown over there? It’s stunning. We should get one like that.”
The black gown indeed looked incredible, making the girl’s skin seem to glow with a delicate radiance.
“It’s nice, but black makes me look old,” Willow said, shaking her head.
think you’d look gorgeous in anything, Willow,” Emily replied with a polite smile. But the moment her eyes landed on the girl in the black gown, her smile froze.
“What’s wrong, Emily Hannah and Willow followed her gaze and saw the girl standing up. Her face was strikingly beautiful, with delicate, refined features. It was Ophelia
After a moment of awkward silence, Willow was the first to put two and two together. “Isn’t that the girl your family adopted. not too long ago?”
Hannah’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh, it’s her. The one who pushed Emily into the pool, right?”
Emily lowered her head, her voice soft. “Are you all finished? Maybe we should go.”
“Emily, what are you afraid of? If she dares to mess with you, we’ll teach her a lesson.” Hannah was the first to jump to her feet. eager to play the role of Emily’s protector.
Although Emily wore a worried expression, she didn’t try to stop them. Instead, she trailed behind the two as they marched toward Ophelia’s table.
Hannah glanced at the table where a simple paper cup filled with water sat, her disdainful eyes narrowing. She sneered, “Well, well, isn’t that the Hastings family’s small adopted daughter? You haven’t even ordered anything and you’re leaving now? What, couldn’t afford anything more than a glass of water?”
Ophelia froze, slowly turning around to face them. The word ‘adopted hung in her mind, stirring long–buried memories.
She had almost forgotten that when she first returned to the Hastings family, Owen had insisted that Emily remain the family’s heiress. To avoid causing any hard feelings or discomfort for Emily, they introduced Ophelia as the adopted daughter, even though she was their real flesh and blood.
Crossing her arms, Hannah scoffed, “I don’t know what kind of dirty tricks you pulled to weasel your way into the Hastings family, but don’t think for a second that it makes you anything more than a nobody. You think you can just waltz in and bully Emily What a joke
From the moment Hannalt heard about the pool incident, she’d been itching to take revenge on Ophelia. But after hearing
that Ophelia had been kicked out of the Hastings household, there hadn’t been an opportunity–until now Sporting her here felt like a stroke of luck to Hannal, and the wasn’t about to let it slip
“You’re going to apologize to Emily right now, Hannah demanded, her voice full of self–righteous fury. “Admit you tried to steal her place and promise to stay in the gutter where you poor people belong. Otherwise, you’re not walking out of here today.”
“This restaurant is owned by my family, Hannah thought smugly. “Lies she really think she can come in here without ordering anything and just leaver
Ophelia looked at the group, her eyes cool and detached, as if she were staring at something insignificant. They’re being used by Emily and don’t even realize it, she thought.
But what battled her most was the constant demand for her to apologize Why do people always expect me to apologize to Emily? Just because she plays the victim, does that mean the’s always in the right
Her eyes landed on Emily, her gaze sharp and unwavering, as if she could see right through her.
For a split second, Ermily felt a shiver of discomfort. Lately, she kept feeling that Ophelia seemed way different from before
“Elia, don’t be upset. You know how Hannah can be. She’s just blunt, no harm intended. Why don’t you join us instead Order whatever you like, it’s on me.” Emily said, her voice dripping with faux generosity.
“Oh, Emily, you’re just too kind. Do you really think someone vi poor deserves to be in a place like this? She probably fainted when she saw the prices on the menu, Hannah sneered, her wice loud enough to draw attention from the nearby tables
The mockery spread like wildfire, with whispers and giggles rising from the surrounding patrons.
“Girls these days, someone muttered under their breath, “so vain. If you can’t afford it, don’t come to places like this”
“Exactly. What a joke, another voice chimed in.
The chorus of jeers only added to Ernily’s satisfaction. She smirked internally, thinking. She should really know her place A girl from the slums, thinking she can compete with me? Pathetic. I bet that old man in Rosewood Manor has cut her off. What a disgrace, coming to a restaurant and only ordering a glass of free water
“Elia, come on, tell me what you wanna eat. Let me order something for you to take home. You don’t have to go hungry” Emily pressed on, her tone filled with insincere concern, as if she were offering scraps to a beggar.
To the bystanders, Emily seemed almost angelic, but Ophelia caught the patronizing note in her voice, a sound she had heard all too often in her last life. Emily had always delighted in flaunting her superiority.
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Ophelia’s lips. “Emily, you never learn, do you?” the replied, her voice low but sharp
Just as she spoke, a server approached, carrying a tray of carefully wrapped desserts “Miss Spencer, here’s your order,” he said respectfully, handing her the boxes.
Suddenly, the entire restaurant fell silent.
Each dessert was intricately crafted and looked as expensive as they were. The prices weren’t for the faint of heart Emily’s face froze, her earlier confidence crumbling into awkward confusion. For a brief moment, she was rendered speechless and a flicker of recognition crossed her mind–this scene felt eerily familiar to her.
Hannah’s jaw dropped in disbelief, “Wait, you bought all that?” she stammered, unable to wrap her head around what was happening. How could a girl kicked out of the Hastings family afford anything in a Michelin star restaurant? These desserts alone cost more than some designer handbags, she pondered.
Hannah’s face turned an unattractive shade of red, the memory of her earlier ridicule now a painful slap across her own
cheeks
“Who gave you permission to sell to her the suddenly snapped at the server, directing her embarrassment and fury at the
The server stood there, clearly uncomfortable. He knew Hannah was the heiress to the Hall family and didn’t dare to offend her. He lowered his head in sience, hoping the storm would pass quickly
Chapter L
“Did she pay for this Hannah demanded her voice dripping with venom
“She. She did the server mere looking helpless
“Well, give her a refund Hannah yelled, manching the bases of deserts from Ophelia’s tutti. “We don’t sell to the likes of you. Selling to poce people like you only bring down the class of our time.”
in moved Ophelia phone vibrated her hand–a notation of the refunded payment. She red her pe lociung eyes with Hannahi. her voice cool and steady. What did you jos uy?
“I said nothing in this restaurant is for poor people like you. You think you can wat in here and buy whmever you want You belong at some street stall eating from plastic trays. Get that to your bead–our restaurant does serve people as inwly as you.” Hannah spat, her face twisted with smug satisfaction and dindan as the glared in Cebelu
Ophelia remained composed her lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. She didn’t seem rattied in the slightest, which only frustrated Hannah more.
Without a word. Ophelia nodded slightly, turned on her beel, and calmly walked away
In their eyes. Ophelia’s retreat was a victory for them–a triumph congratulatory pride washed over them as they watched her les
g her back in her place wave of self-
Later, as the three exited the restaurant. Willow excused herself for another appointment, leaving Hannah to accompany Emily as they made their way to Paralet Shopping Center
