Chapter 165
Kenneth rested his head against the chair back and tilted his chin up slightly, causing his prominent nose to cast a shadow across his cheek.
He gently withdrew his hand which was holding Ophelia’s.
Ophelia leaned forward, her hand resting on the back of his chair. She looked down at him.
Seeing Kenneth’s pitiful expression as if he couldn’t get what he wanted, Ophelia grinned.
“Which option do you prefer? How about lying down, and I’ll give you a massage?” Ophelia suggested, blinking innocently with her bright eyes.
She looked sincere and pure.
Kenneth swallowed, wondering how Ophelia managed to remain such an innocent face while saying those alluring words. Ophelia knew perfectly well that Kenneth couldn’t do anything to her, yet she wanted him to lie down
Kenneth placed his hand on the back of Ophelia’s neck, his thumb brushing across her soft cheek as his eyes stayed fixed her.
Suddenly, a phone ringtone sounded, breaking their eye contact.
Ophelia pulled out her phone and saw an unknown number.
She answered the call. Before she could say a word, Kenneth’s lips were on hers.
Ophelia swiftly pulled the phone away from her ear, yet the person on the other end still caught the odd sound.
Kenneth wrapped his arm around Ophelia’s waist and showed a mischievous grin.
Ophelia could only use one hand to hold back Kenneth in front of her, leaning back at a 45–degree angle, and said, “Hello, who is that?”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Phoebe said, “Elia, it’s me.”
Phoebe’s distinctive voice came through, sounding a bit weak.
“Got something to say?” Ophelia asked, standing up straight.
Phoebe said, “Elia, I’m about to be discharged soon. My place in Dellanex isn’t ready yet, and I don’t know anyone here. Would it be okay for me to stay at your place for a couple of days?”
“It’s not okay,” Ophelia replied.
Ophelia meant it. Noah was still at Rosewood Manor. She didn’t want her home to become a place where anyone could just
stay.
Besides, she was well aware of Phoebe’s intentions.
After saying those words, Ophelia felt a bit guilty and suggested, “I can book a hotel for you, if you need it.”
Phoebe said, “That would be great. Thank you, Elia.”
Ophelia thought, ‘Wow, she really isn’t embarrassed at all.’
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Ophelia said patiently, “When are you getting discharged? I’ll have someone pick you up.”
Phoebe replied, “Tomorrow morning.”
Ophelia remarked, “Alright.”
After she hung up, Kenneth looked at her suspiciously and asked, “Are you that free?”
He had overheard the whole conversation.
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Ophelia smiled indifferently and said, “She wants to act, so I’ll let her play her part. It’s no fun to expose her. Let’s see what she’s really planning.”
Kenneth advised, “Stay away from her. She’s not as simple as she appears. That shot she took was by her own choice, so you don’t need to feel guilty.”
He pulled Ophelia closer and gently patted her head. His gaze rested on the scar on her forehead, turning stern with worry.
“Do I look like that?” asked Ophelia.
Kenneth inquired, “Look like what?”
“Do I look like a good person to you?” Ophelia raised an eyebrow and stated, “Ronan was able to kidnap me so smoothly thanks to Phoebe’s help. I know everything. Don’t worry, I’ll be cautious.”
Then she moved to the marble dining table, opened the takeout boxes, and arranged the dishes on the table.
They sat facing each other, and Ophelia enthusiastically served Kenneth with unusual fervor.
“Just spit it out,” Kenneth said, looking at Ophelia with half–squinted eyes.
He wouldn’t be able to have lunch if she didn’t tell him what she wanted.
Ophelia pursed her lips and questioned, “Wouldn’t it appear that I have a rather strong hidden agenda?”
“Speak.” Kenneth didn’t touch his fork, and his sharp eyes seemed to see right through Ophelia.
She pondered, “There’s really nothing that escapes his attention.
She said, “Actually, I have some questions to ask you, about real estate development.”
“Why the sudden interest in that area?” Kenneth looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.
Ophelia avoided his gaze, focusing instead on her favorite dish, took a piece, and said nonchalantly with a fork between her lips, “Because, I want to develop the slums.”
She spoke quickly and softly, sounding like she lacked confidence.
However, since Ophelia had already told Kenneth about her plan, it meant she was determined.
She had thought it through and was ready to face a lot of opposition.
Having finally gotten a second chance at life, Ophelia wanted to do things she wouldn’t have dared to dream of before.
Kenneth’s eyes briefly showed surprise. He slightly frowned and asked, “Do you even know what you’re saying?”
“I know.” Ophelia’s tone sounded like a sulky child, but her eyes were firm.
Kenneth remarked, “Then you must have heard about the disaster in the slums.”
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Chapter 165
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Ophelia asked, “Are you talking about the land reclamation project? That’s why I wanted to ask you what preparations are needed to develop the area.”
Kenneth said, “Even if you bring the leader of Heloria, nothing can be done there, so just let it go
Kenneth picked up his fork and ate the simple dishes with an elegance that made it appear as if he were dining in an upscale
restaurant.
Seeing Ophelia not touching her food, Kenneth sighed in resignation and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
He said, “You don’t know much about it. Heloria would never let anyone develop that area. So save your energy and spend more time with me instead.”
He mused, ‘Little one, you have so many plans. Can’t you just stay by my side like you’re supposed to?
Ophelia stuck out her tongue. She was never the type to follow orders.
She pondered, ‘I knew too little. What if I just learn more?”
Kenneth could tell just from Ophelia’s eyes that she wasn’t going to give up easily.
Kenneth continued, “Whether you like designing evening gowns or running an entertainment company, I support you. But don’t even think about developing the slums. It’s pointless and a waste of time.”
Kenneth’s words sent her heart plummeting.
But it was only for a fleeting moment.
She thought, ‘What is meaningful, and what is meaningless?
‘Everyone has their own definition of ‘meaningful“.
After leaving the Sinclair Group, Ophelia returned to her studio,
She still had to design two evening gowns.
Before she began sketching, she conducted an online search, typing “Dellanex slums” into the search bar. Promptly, suggestions popped up: [Life in the Dellanex Slums].
[Crime rate in the Dellanex slums.]
[Epidemic diseases rampant in the Dellanex slums, source of city infections.]
[Crime in the Dellanex slums, Fringe activity refuge.]
The Dellanex slums seemed to be a place far removed from integrity and health.
There were suggestions related to Dellanex slums.
Upon reading those words, Ophelia felt as if the inhabitants of the slums had been equated with the derogatory language used.
However, she belieyed it was just a corner abandoned by the city clearly part of it yet unable to fit in. The people there were forced to endure all the unfairness and discrimination the city brought.
Ophelia wondered, ‘Who could they appeal to for justice?’
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Someone reported, “Ms. Spencer, the store called saying an elderly lady is there to see you. Should I bring her over?”
Ophelia thought, ‘Who would come looking for me?‘
She said, “Bring her here.”
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The store wasn’t far from the studio. One could take the elevator directly from the Paralet Shopping Center to the Paralet Tower behind it.
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