Chapter 96
Kenneth, feeling guilty, cupped the back of Ophelia’s neck with his hand.
Ophelia asked, “How long will you need this time?”
Kenneth’s lips curled into a playful smirk. “How long do you want me?”
Ophelia frowned, knowing exactly where his mind had gone. She was asking how long his business trip would last, but before she could clarify, Kenneth pulled her into a kiss.
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Outside, snowflakes fluttered down all night.
By morning, a soft light filtered through the floor–to–ceiling windows. In bed, Kenneth’s arm was wrapped tightly around Ophelia’s waist.
Ophelia was used to being held like his prized possession. Turning to face Kenneth, she hugged him back tightly. Kenneth chuckled, enjoying it, “Can’t bear to let me go, hmm?”
He pulled Ophelia even closer, her body pressed against his chest, his hand gently rubbing her back. Take Caleb with you everywhere for the next few days, alright? Be safe.”
“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself”
“Good girl. I’ll be back in three to five days, just in time for the New Year”
“Okay”
Kenneth held her tight, his chin resting atop her head.
Outside, the garden’s snow–covered branches created a winter wonderland, but inside, the warmth of the house made it feel far from cold.
As Kenneth put on his black overcoat, Ophelia went into the wardrobe and grabbed her favorite khaki plaid scarf. She wrapped it around his neck before he could leave.
Kenneth gazed at her with those deep, captivating eyes, the kind that seemed to pull her in. “Come with me.”
“No way. If I went with you, how would you focus on work? Besides. She smirked. I’m not exactly the picture–perfect housewife
Every time Ophelia got involved, it was like people thought she was some kind of femme fatale.
Kenneth chuckled softly, giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead before running his thumb along her smooth cheek. Ophelia’s scent lingered on the scarf
Ophelia watched him leave from the upstairs window, then got ready and drove out shortly after.
Caleb’s car followed at a reasonable distance.
The audition was scheduled for the afternoon, but Ophelia had other plans first.
Last night’s heavy snow had reminded her of the children in the slums. She remembered her childhood, nearly freezing to death in a storm once.
Ophelia headed to the mall and bought piles of warm clothing, practically stocking her car like a mobile warehouse.
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Chapter 96
Two hours later, she arrived at the slums.
Dilapidated, half–demolished buildings and makeshift homes made from shipping containers lay under a thick blanket of snow. Some of the flimsy shacks had collapsed under its weight, but thankfully, no one was inside.
Ophelia found Felix’s place, pushing aside the shabby cloth acting as a door. Inside, she saw him and a few others playing cards around a small stove.
The boy she had scolded before quickly dropped his cards, scooting two feet back when he recognized her
Felix turned and nearly jumped. He babbled, terrified, as if he’d seen the devil, “Miss Spencer, what brings you here? I swear I haven’t been collecting protection fees in the slums. I’ve been working. But the construction sites closed for winter, so I have no choice but to come back.”
“Am I really that scary?”
Felix swallowed nervously and shook his head, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.
“Come help me with something. Ophelia said.
The four boys exchanged glances before Felix followed her out with the others trailing behind.
Ophelia opened her trunk, revealing an array of warm clothes and pre–packed bags of vegetables. She had also included cold medicine and antibiotics.
Ophelia said, “These are for the elderly and kids. If any of the old folks need other medicine, write down their symptoms and let me know. The elderly and kids get everything for free, but any able–bodied adults will need to pay for whatever they
Felix scratched his head, looking lost. “I can’t read or write. He could barely write his name.
“I can,” a skinny boy standing behind Felix said.
Ophelia glanced at the boy. His left sleeve was half–empty. She hadn’t noticed the last time she was here.
Lucas continued, “My name’s Lucas Turner. I was born with a deformity in my left arm. I went to school for a few years, but after my dad passed away and my mom remarried, she didn’t want me anymore. So I dropped out. But I can still write
Ophelia nodded, handing Lucas her phone number and helping them distribute the supplies.
“Hey, Felix, where’d you get all this good stuff? Why isn’t there any for us?” a middle–aged man shouted.
Ophelia frowned, following the voice. There were always a few bad apples in every bunch. People who took more than their share were greedier the poorer they got
Ophelia knew this well, which was why she had been reluctant to offer much help to the slum residents beyond the elderly and children. She didn’t want to encourage dependency. After all, many of the able–bodied folks here were just too lazy to work and relied on others to survive.
These are for the elderly and kids, Lucas replied
“Bullshit. Who said that? Aren’t we people too?” The man lunges forward, snatching a bag of vegetables and reaching for the clothes. Before he could grab anything, his wrist was caught.
n pain.
“I paid for these. I’ll give them to whoever I want, Ophelia said, applying enough pressure to make him yelp in
I’m sorry.” The man looked into Ophelia’s eyes, and something about her seemed vaguely familiar. It slipped his mind, but Ophelia’s expensive clothes made him back off quickly. She wasn’t someone to mess with.
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Chapter 96
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Whimpering, the man kicked the bag of vegetables back toward Lucas, who quickly scooped it up and continued handing things out.
After everything was distributed, Ophelia gave Felix and his group a few more items.
Thanks for your help. Ophelia handed them a few new jackets,
Felix’s eyes lit up when he saw the leather jacket. “Our foreman has one just like this.”
“The sizes are mixed, so share them amongst yourselves. Ophelia could only do so much.
Felix grabbed the jacket, grinning as if it were already Christmas
Before leaving, Ophelia slipped Felix some cash. Take care of the elderly and the kids for me.”
“Don’t worry. I got this.”.
Caleb, who had been quietly following Ophelia the whole time, saw her in a new light. He thought, ‘She is kind without being naive. Strong, but never reckless. No wonder Mr. Sinclair likes her so much. They are a perfect match.”
After leaving the slums, Ophelia drove back to the city for the auditions. As she arrived at the hotel, she spotted Thomas and Sharon stepping out of a black van together.
“I’ve missed you so much. You haven’t come to see me in forever.” Sharon exclaimed, still in full makeup from her latest role, her face framed by a royal blue wool coat.
Miss Spencer. Thomas greeted Ophelia with a respectful nod.
Ophelia waved off the formality. “Why are you two arriving together?”
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