Chapter 3 Unforeseen Disappointments

• The car glided gracefully into the villa district, its sleek exterior reflecting the golden hues of the afternoon sun. As the vehicle came to a halt, Ophelia stepped out and extended a hand to the elderly woman, guiding her with gentle care.
• With a burst of exuberance, a white Samoyed with short, stubby legs and a fluffy, snow-white coat bounded toward them. Its eyes twinkled with unrestrained joy, and its tongue lolled out in a cheerful panting.
• "Roxie!" The elderly woman's face brightened into a radiant smile as she crouched down, her hands deftly tearing open a KFC wrapper. She offered the Samoyed the contents, watching with delight as Roxie devoured the treats with eager enthusiasm.
• Once the bag was emptied, she patted the Samoyed's head affectionately and, with a cheerful voice, urged it to frolic and play in the lush garden.
• The Moore Residence stood as a testament to grandeur, its vast grounds adorned with meticulously trimmed greenery that lent an air of timeless elegance and charm. The well-tended lawns and neatly pruned hedges created a serene backdrop to the villa's stately presence.
• Ophelia assisted the elderly woman into the villa, where a servant awaited with poised readiness. With practiced precision, the servant helped them remove their shoes, signaling the start of their entrance into this refined haven.
• The butler, his demeanor formal and attentive, inquired about the elderly woman's meal preferences. When he learned of her diminished appetite, his brow furrowed in a display of genuine concern.
• Before he could voice further inquiries, the elderly woman, Sophia, waved him away with a gesture of dismissive kindness. Ophelia, noting the effects of the hot weather on Sophia's appetite, rose from the couch with a resolve to assist further. "Grandma, I can prepare something for you. Would you like to try my cooking?"
• Sophia's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze shifting to Ophelia with growing intrigue. "You can cook?" she asked, her tone infused with a mix of astonishment and pleasure.
• "A little," Ophelia replied modestly, her cheeks tinged with a hint of embarrassment.
• Although Sophia's appetite was negligible, she was deeply touched by Ophelia's thoughtful offer and agreed to let her cook. With a gesture of appreciation, she led Ophelia to the kitchen.
• In the kitchen, Ophelia's eyes scanned the array of ingredients with a practiced gaze. She set to work preparing a bowl of shrimp and wheat porridge, a delicacy from her hometown renowned for its smooth, delicate texture. This dish was perfectly suited for someone with a subdued appetite like Sophia.
• As Ophelia carefully ladled the fragrant porridge into a bowl, the gentle aroma of the shrimp mingled with the subtle sweetness of the wheat, creating a comforting and inviting scent.
• Sophia, initially reluctant, tasted a spoonful of the porridge. Her expression transformed as her appetite was reignited by the delightful flavors. She ate with evident pleasure, savoring every bite, until the entire bowl was empty.
• "I didn't expect Ophelia's cooking to be so delightful," Sophia declared, her voice brimming with genuine admiration. "Anyone who marries you would be fortunate indeed."
• The elderly woman's delight was palpable, and she was nearly beside herself with eagerness to call Ethan back immediately, her enthusiasm for Ophelia only growing with each passing moment.
• "I'm glad you like it," Ophelia said, her voice warm with genuine pleasure.
• As the afternoon sun dipped lower, Ethan returned to find his grandmother and Ophelia seated in the pavilion, where the gentle breeze rustled through the lush greenery surrounding them. Whatever Ophelia had said had elicited a hearty, joyful laugh from Sophia, a sound that seemed to ripple through the air with a rare and contagious delight.
• Though many had shared their time with Sophia, none had lingered so long nor succeeded in brightening her day to such a degree. The sight of his grandmother's radiant smile was a testament to Ophelia's effect on her.
• "Ethan, you're back," Sophia called out with a beaming smile, her eyes crinkling with warmth as she waved him over.
• Ethan's gaze flickered over Ophelia with a trace of a frown. The contrast between the two was striking—the warmth Sophia radiated in Ophelia's presence and Ethan's stern, detached demeanor.
• "Grandma, the doctor mentioned you shouldn't be sitting outside for too long," Ethan said, his voice carrying an edge of concern, though his words were laced with an undercurrent of irritation.
• Sophia had hoped to use this time to foster a deeper connection between Ethan and Ophelia, but Ethan's return with a solemn expression put a damper on her plans.
• "Every time you come back, you only bring trouble," Sophia chided, her voice tinged with a hint of reproach. "With such a gloomy demeanor, it's no wonder you struggle to find a wife."
• She directed a disapproving glance at her grandson, her eyes speaking volumes of her disappointment. Ethan, unfazed by her reproach, offered his assistance to help Sophia up.
• Feeling the weight of fatigue and wishing to give the young couple more time alone, Sophia turned to Ophelia with a soft smile. "Ophelia, why don't you stay and keep Ethan company for a while? Join us for dinner tonight."
• Leaning in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, Sophia added, "I'll head back on my own. This girl, Ophelia, is quite charming and suitable for you. Take this chance to get to know her better."
• Although her words were meant to be private, they were audible to Ophelia. The mention of being "good for raising" echoed in her mind, causing her cheeks to flush with an involuntary wave of embarrassment.
• Once Sophia departed, the atmosphere between Ethan and Ophelia grew taut with tension. Ethan's gaze, sharp and penetrating, scrutinized Ophelia with a narrowed intensity. Despite his initial request for her to stay with his grandmother, he was taken aback by how Ophelia had genuinely brightened Sophia's day.
• "Speak up. What do you want?" Ethan's voice cut through the air with a cold, commanding edge.
• Ophelia, caught off guard by his abrupt demand, blinked in surprise. "Pardon?"
• "After waiting so long, you must want something. What is it?" Ethan pressed, his tone dripping with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
• Seeing Ophelia's feigned ignorance, Ethan's lips curled into a smirk. His disdainful attitude mirrored the derogatory term he had used earlier, making it all too clear why he struggled to find a partner. The temptation to deliver a sharp retort was strong, yet Ophelia remained composed.
• "One million," she declared, her voice steady as she raised an eyebrow, challenging the man's indifferent facade.
• Ethan's eyes widened in momentary disbelief. "What?"
• "You asked what I wanted. One million," Ophelia repeated, her gaze unwavering.
• Ethan's sneer widened as if he had anticipated such a brazen demand. With an air of nonchalance, he scribbled a check and tossed it onto the table. The check lay there. Its numerous zeros were glaringly evident.
• Ophelia's frown deepened as she inspected the check. Her initial demand had been born of frustration, and she hadn't expected such a straightforward response. The blatant display of wealth made her suspect the check might be a mere token gesture, lacking genuine intent.
• Seeing Ophelia's reaction, Ethan's smirk turned into a mocking grin. His grandmother's enthusiasm for matchmaking was not without discernment. Few could inspire such fondness from Sophia, let alone secure an invitation to dinner at their first meeting.
• "Tell me," Ethan's voice was laced with both curiosity and challenge, "how did you manage to manipulate my grandmother?"
• "Manipulate?" Ophelia echoed, her voice tinged with both bewilderment and a hint of indignation.
• The man's frigid, disdainful gaze stoked a fiery anger within Ophelia. She had merely sought to assist an elderly woman in distress, never imagining that her benevolent actions would be met with such suspicion. His insinuations stung like icy daggers, and his arrogance bordered on the absurd.
• "If you weren't after something, why stay so long?" Ethan's voice dripped with derision. "Did my grandmother's kindness truly sway you? Do you intend to marry me?"
• Ophelia's heart surged with indignation at his audacity. To think that someone could be so insufferably self-centered was almost beyond belief. The very idea was laughable.
• "I wouldn't marry you even if you were the last man on earth," she spat, her voice laden with contempt. With a decisive flick of her wrist, she hurled the check back at Ethan's face. "Keep the check for your use."
• Her words, sharp and unyielding, were delivered with a fierce determination. Ophelia turned on her heel, storming out of the villa with a surge of emotion propelling her forward. But after only a few steps, she pivoted sharply and returned, her eyes blazing with defiance.
• Ethan, momentarily taken aback, thought she might be reconsidering her earlier words. However, Ophelia merely reached into her pocket and retrieved a single, glistening one-dollar coin.
• "Since you're so good-looking, this is for a chat with a duck," she declared, her tone dripping with sarcasm. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the coin at him before striding out of the villa, not daring to look back.
• Ethan's gaze followed the coin as it clattered to the ground, a stark contrast to the discarded check. His face darkened with mounting fury. Not only had Ophelia insulted him, but she had also chosen to humiliate him with a single dollar—a gesture of mockery that he could scarcely ignore. He vowed to remember this affront.
• Ophelia hurried away, her heart pounding as she neared the exit of the villa. Relieved to see that Ethan wasn't pursuing her, she let out a sigh of relief as she slipped into a waiting cab. The day's events had already unraveled her plans; she was now missing her tutoring appointment.
• Determined to make amends, she dialed the parents' number, bracing herself for the inevitable rebuke.
• "Can't you manage your other commitments? How will you compensate for the loss to our child? Do you understand how busy our child's schedule is? You can't just skip out like this!" The voice on the other end of the line was harsh, laden with frustration.
• Ophelia endured the scolding with quiet resignation, acknowledging her fault without argument. When she finally glanced up, she was met with a dazzling, oversized photo of Ethan displayed prominently on an LED screen in the mall. His features were as though sculpted by a divine artist—sharp, commanding phoenix eyes that radiated an aura of formidable authority.
• Ethan, Aranthia's wealthiest man—indeed, the renowned entrepreneur from an illustrious lineage. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She had sensed his affluence, but never imagined he was a scion of such a prominent family.
• The recollection of the one-dollar coin she had tossed at him filled her with unease. With a figure of his stature, she hoped he would possess a magnanimous spirit and not harbor a grudge against her.
• Arriving at the spot where she had parked her electric bike, Ophelia was dismayed to find it gone. The loss of both her part-time job and her trusty bike left her feeling disheartened.
• Seeking solace, she headed to her friend's restaurant, hoping to unburden her heart.
• "Ripping up a million-dollar check? You've truly got guts," her friend said with a playful grin, peeking out from behind a menu. The approval in her eyes was evident as she gave Ophelia a thumbs-up.
• "It wasn't even mine. What's to regret?" Ophelia replied, though her eyes betrayed her sorrow over the missing bike. "But I'm not sure if I'll ever see it again."
• Her friend's eyes softened with sympathy. "You should ask Ethan for the bike. Given the time you lost today, he ought to compensate you. Not only did you miss out on compensation, but you've also lost your bike. He should be held accountable."
• Ophelia nodded thoughtfully, her resolve hardening with her friend's encouragement. The day's events had been tumultuous, but she would not let them diminish her spirit.