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Chapter 123
Rex took a deep breath, and his charming eyes immediately drooped. He looked so pitiful, like a little animal that had been abandoned
Whenever Ophelia saw Rex like this, she felt she shouldn’t be so hard on him. “I believe if you put your heart into it, you’ll pick things up quickly,” she said, offering praise to keep his spirits up.
“Hmm?” Rex perked up right away, standing beside Ophelia as af showing off to the others, “See? Im the favored one.”
Everyone in the room was curious about Ophelia. Anyone who had caught the eye of the Carnegie family had to be special.. and the guests were all eager to cozy up to her.
“Elia, do you remember me? I’m Max’s mother. We’ve met before. I liked you the moment I saw you. I just knew you were blessed with good fortune” Aubrey gushed, grabbing Ophelia’s hand with a wide smile.
Ophelia pulled her hand back, her lightly made–up face showing only a polite and distant smile. She never forgot the scene when Aubrey and Heather humiliated her when she was first brought to the Hastings family.
Ophelia said, “How could I forget, Mrs. Lewis? The first time you met me, you told me not to cling to your son and said I was a jinx. You even made it clear that as long as you were alive, you’d never let your son be with me.”
“W–what? Did I say that? You must be mistaken, Aubrey stammered, her stile twitching awkwardly.
“Oh, well, it’s all in the past now,” Ophelia said casually.
Aubrey sighed in relief at Ophelia’s words, thinking she could ease back into the conversation. But then Ophelia spoke again, her voice light yet pointed. “Well, Max’s married now, isn’t he? I’m sure you’re very pleased with his wife.”
Though Ophelia’s words seemed innocent, anyone noticing knew it was a jab at the Lewis family’s recent scandalous wedding.
With that, Ophelia turned and walked away, not bothering to glance back at Aubrey’s face, which had gone through several shades of embarrassment.
Ophelia found a seat and settled down.
During this time, many young socialites and heirs were practically forced by their families to approach Ophelia and greet her. The girls looked on with envy, while the boys couldn’t take their eyes off her.
Howard and Rex quickly swooped in like knights, taking seats beside Ophelia. They stared down the young men like guards watching over suspects, which made Ophelia chuckle helplessly
Just then, Marcus, in a burgundy suit, approached with a wine glass in hand, squinting as he sized up Ophelia. “Hello, Ophelia. I’m your cousin Marcus.” He raised his glass and smiled lecherously as his eyes wandered down from her innocent face to the area below her collarbone.
“What the hell, Marcus? Where the hell are you looking? Are you looking to get yourself killed?” Rex shot up from his seat, grabbing Marcus by the collar.
Jackson and Howard flanked Ophelia on either side, blocking her from view.
“Marcus, watch yourself,” Jackson warned, his voice cold. “She’s part of the Carnegie family now.”
“She’s still my cousin, Marcus sneered, shoving Rex away. “Whats wrong with saying hello? She’s here to compete for your family fortune, and you’re all treating her like some fragile flower. You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re the one trying to stir up trouble.” Howard, younger than Rex by a year but standing at a towering six–foot–one,
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stepped forward, making Marcus look puny by comparison. His presence in front of Ophelia exuded security.
Marcus scoffed, “You fools have no idea, do you? That girl crawled out of the slums in the West End. Who knows what tricks she pulled to get here? I’m just trying to warn you all. Don’t be left with nothing when she’s through with you”
Marcus had heard rumors from Nathan and his group. Ophelia was just some random girl the Hastings family casually picked. He said. “She bankrupted the Hastings family, and now she’s here to pull the same con
“You shut your mouth! Say one more word, and I’ll deck you.” Rex shoved Marcus, unable to bear the insults. He thought, No way my delicate angel came from a place like that:
Marcus stumbled back a few steps, crashing into a waitress behind him.
The commotion quickly caught everyone’s attention in the ballroom. While no one dared to openly comment, given how much the Carnegie family valued Ophelia, their glances were filled with curiosity and speculation.
How could the Carnegie family accept someone from the slums Ophelia looked so polished and elegant–no one would ve guessed.
Members of both the Carnegie and Huxley families began to gather around.
“Marcus, stop spouting nonsense. Michael’s deep voice rang out as he was wheeled over.
“Marcus, apologize to Ophelia,” Bethany commanded.
Marcus pressed his lips, unwilling to say a word.
Ophelia, who had remained silent until now, set down her wine glass and slowly stood. She walked forward with calm composure. “He’s not wrong. I am from the slurns.
Ophelia’s words sent a wave of shock through the room.
To these people, the slums were synonymous with filth, crime, and chaos. A place that bred degenerates–thugs delinquents, and the kind of people one must stay far away from
Bethany was stunned for a few seconds. She had done her research on Ophelia before, and nowhere had it indicated Ophelia came from the slums.
Rex was equally shocked, his gaze fixed on Ophelia. He thought “How could this be true?
Ophelia wasn’t surprised by their reactions. This kind of prejudice was deeply ingrained. It wasn’t just the nobility. Ordinary people reacted strongly to the mere mention of the word “slums
The aristocrats were more composed, though likely out of respect for the Carnegie family, suppressing their true feelings.
Ophelia began, “I was an abandoned child. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve lived in the slums. There’s nothing to hide about that. The conditions there are bad, and people do whatever it takes to survive, including some–savory things.”
Ophelia added, “But that’s only a few. Most of us get by collecting trash and doing odd job. We don’t steal or rob. We bleed the same as you, share the same skin, and live under the same sky in the same country. We’re all human, and we’ve only got one life. So why should we be treated unfairly?
“Don’t forget, a hundred years ago, the slums were the heart of this city. How many of your ancestors didn’t come from the
slums
Ophelia’s words left the room in silence. No one could deny the truth in what she said
Just as everyone was processing Ophelia’s speech, a sudden voice broke the quiet. “Easy for you to say now, but what about all the dirty things you’ve done that no one knows about?”
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Heads turned, searching for the source of the voice.
Ophelia thought. The voice sounds familiar. Intrigued, she glanced over at Emily, who was dressed as a waitress.
Emily removed her black–rimmed glasses and beret, letting her long hair fall loose. Her eyes were filled with hatred and. jealousy as she locked her gaze on Ophelia.
Some in the crowd recognized Emily’s face but couldn’t quite place it. Their curiosity only grew–what exactly did she mean by “dirty things? The certainty in her tone sparked doubt in everyone’s mind.
SEND GIFT
