Chapter 90
Inside the car, Kenneth leaned back against the seat. His head turned slightly to look at Ophelia beside him. His fingers unconsciously reached for his pinky, feeling the emptiness there. Earlier, when he saw Ophelia being tugged at by Miles, his anger surged, but it was effortlessly soothed by her calling him honey. Now, he couldn’t even get angry anymore.
Kenneth said, “What did you call me just now? Say it again.”
The partition in the car slowly rose.
Ophelia thought, ‘Does the driver have to be this perceptive every single time?‘
Kenneth’s hand gripped the back of her neck, his thumb brushing her earlobe. “Say it again, quickly…” He hadn’t quite heard it clearly earlier.
Ophelia swallowed, her throat tightening. “I’ll say it, but don’t think I’m trying to seduce you.”
“Alright.”
“Honey.” Her voice was soft and sweet, with a lilting tone, the word striking straight at Kenneth’s heart.
“And that’s not seducing me? Hmm?”
Ophelia was speechless, her face scrunching up.
Just as Kenneth was about to lean in closer, Ophelia pushed him back. “Wait. Let’s talk about something important first. Is it you who have Mr. Carnegie recognize me as his god–granddaughter?”
“Yes,”
Hearing Kenneth’s confirmation, Ophelia felt a bit more at ease. Theo had already explained the reason to her, and she understood Kenneth’s good intentions. He was always protecting her in his way.
His breath was so close now, carrying a faint scent of tobacco.
Ophelia cupped Kenneth’s face, her eyes pure as she gazed at him. She thought, ‘Somehow, the Kenneth I know in this life feels different from the one in my past life. Perhaps it’s because of my own transformation, allowing me to experience things I haven’t in my previous life.
“I didn’t have enough to eat tonight.” As she spoke, a faint whiff of red wine lingered in her breath.
Kenneth frowned. “Did you drink?”
Ophelia guiltily pressed her lips. “Just…just a little. It’s not my fault. You didn’t tell me in advance. I thought that Mr. Carnegie recognizing me as his god–granddaughter was him trying to take advantage of you, so of course, I refused.
“Oh? And what does that have to do with drinking? Haven’t I told you, you can only…”
Ophelia leaned forward and kissed Kenneth’s thin lips mid–sentence.
“Drinking was my bad, but you can’t be unreasonable either,” she pouted, her face full of grievance as her breath hovered near Kenneth’s nose.
Kenneth looked down, his gaze fixed on her long eyelashes and the small tear mole under her eye, both utterly captivating Back at Rosewood Manor, Kenneth’s kisses had been continuous ever since they entered the house, falling densely like raindrops. In the darkness, the overwhelming pressure mounted. I’ve let you off twice at the hospital, he murmured.
Chapter 90
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In the middle of the night, Kenneth brought up a plate of steaming pasta. Ophelia, half–asleep, managed to eat two bites before drifting off again.
The next day, Ophelia woke up to find it was almost noon.
till fast asleep. Seeing how long she
Kenneth sat on the couch, alternating between work and watching Ophelia, who was had slept, he felt a pang of guilt. His eyes were full of tenderness which Ophelia interpreted as crocodile tears.
“I didn’t get to eat last night,” she said, her voice filled with grievance as she glared at him.
“Forgotten already?” He moved to the side of the bed and gently brushed her messy hair. “I cooked you pasta last night. You barely ate two bites.”
Ophelia raised an eyebrow. She had thought the part where he fed her pasta was a dream. Now, it turned out it was real, and Kenneth had cooked them himself.
Her view of him shifted once more, and she found herself staring at his well–defined hands. “I want some more.”
She thought, ‘I have completely forgotten the taste of last night’s pasta. But this was pasta Kenneth has cooked himself, and there is no way I am going to miss out.
“Alright. I’ll carry you downstairs.” Kenneth fetched a warm robe and wrapped her snugly in it.
Ophelia clung to his neck as he lifted her in his arms.
Downstairs, the house seemed empty. Ophelia asked, “Where’s Lisa and the others?”
“I gave them the day off.” Kenneth set her down at the small bar in the open kitchen and kissed her on the forehead.
This kitchen wasn’t often used. Lisa and the staff usually prepared meals in the adjacent kitchen.
Kenneth rolled up his sleeves and grabbed a packet of pasta.
Ophelia raised an eyebrow and thought, ‘This is how he made it Resting her chin on one hand, she watched as Kenneth moved around the kitchen, feeling a sense of contentment she had never felt before.
Ten minutes later, a steaming plate of pasta was placed before her. Th
beef, looking irresistibly delicious.
pasta was topped with a fried egg and a few slices of
She picked up her fork and took a bite. Her eyes lit up immediately. “This is
SO
good.”
She had no idea pasta could taste this good. The fried egg was crispy, just the way she liked it, and the pasta was cooked to perfection. Whether it was because Kenneth made it or not, the pasta seemed far from ordinary. It was absolutely delicious. She felt the warmth spread through her stomach.
Looking at the now–empty plate, Ophelia glanced up at him. “Can you make me more?”
Kenneth raised an eyebrow, his expression indulgent. He grabbed a napkin and gently wiped her mouth. “Alright. Once you’re full, it’ll be my turn.”
Ophelia thought, ‘What?‘
Just as Kenneth was about to turn back to the stove, Ophelia quickly grabbed his arm. “Actually, forget it. Eating too much isn’t good. Being eighty percent full is just right.”
She smiled like a fox, her big doe eyes pleading.
14:55 Mon, Nov 11 W ti.
Chapter 90
Kenneth smiled, “Not hungry anymore?”
Ophelia nodded vigorously, not daring to eat more.
Kenneth’s lips curved into a smile as he softly murmured, “Then it’s my turn.”
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Before Ophelia could react, Kenneth pulled her closer, his arm wrapped around her waist as he carried her over to the sofa.
Ophelia tried to resist. “Kenneth, I just ate!”
“That’s why you need help digesting.” He bent down, his lips claiming hers.
Outside, snow began to fall. It was the first snow of the winter. Two snowflakes landed on the windowpane and slowly melted into one.
Ophelia finally understood why Kenneth had given the staff the day off. At least he had restrained himself enough to let her wake up early the next day.
For Ophelia, these past couple of days felt like just a cozy weekend, but for James and Kevin, Monday was a day of reckoning.
Early in the morning, as Ophelia was having breakfast with Kenneth, James called, “How are you planning to handle this?” His voice was calm.
“Aren’t we choosing the cast today? Mr. Guinnes, can you focus on the job at hand?” Ophelia took a bite of her sandwich.
“What did you say? The script’s future isn’t even secure, and you’re talking about casting?” James‘ voice rose, almost shouting through the phone, loud enough to reach the dining table.
Ophelia moved the phone away from her ear, glancing at the time.
Across from her, Kenneth’s gaze sharpened like a blade toward the phone in her hand, as if he wanted to turn both the phone and the person on the other end into dust.
