GoodNovelJilted Bride 12
Chapter 12
After breakfast, Liam took a black suit jacket from the coat rack and held it open. Kenneth stood, spreading his
arms as he slipped into it, adjusting the collar and cuffs with his usual crisp precision. The old housekeeper, Lisa
Palmer, reached for the matching tie, ready to help him with it.
But Kenneth's eyes shifted to Ophelia. "You do it
Ophelia blinked, startled. "Me? | don't know how
And she really didn't. Growing up in the slums, no one ever taught her how to tie a tie.
Til teach you once, Kenneth said, placing the tie in her hands. He gently took her soft, petite hands in his,
guiding them as he lowered his head so she could reach. The tie looped around his neck, and together they
fumbled through the motions.
With the height difference between them, Ophelia had to crane her neck to look up at him. She was so focused,
her brows slightly furrowed in concentration, that Kenneth's thoughts started drifting, Watching her like this, he
felt an overwhelming urge to take her on the spot. He figured if he didn't pull himself together and stop staring,
he wouldn't make it out of the house today,
Once it was finished. Kenneth's expression slipped back into his usual cold, detached mask. He settled into his
wheelchair, ready to leave. But just as he was about to roll away, Ophelia called out. "Wait,"
She dashed upstairs in a flurry of excitement, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Moments later, she
returned, dressed in a fresh outfit that mirrored her determination.
She recalled Kenneth's words from the night before that every outfit should be shown to him first.
Clad in a light brown polo shirt paired with a short skirt, her long hair elegantly pinned up with a pearl clip, she
exuded a cool, composed confidence that belied her twenty years. There was an air of sophistication about her
that was decidedly unchildlike, more akin to a seasoned professional.
Tm going out in this today," she said with a smile. | thought I'd show you first."
Kenneth's ga
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gaze faltered, his heart skipping a beat. He watched her with an intensity that deepened with every second. "She
remembered what | said. She actually cares.
Suddenly, Kenneth stood up from the wheelchair, took her by the neck, and kissed her. This kiss wasn't like the
ones before, full of raw possession. This time, it was tender, filled with a delicate longing. His lips moved against
hers like she were something precious, fragile.
Ophelia felt the shift in him, and she responded in kind.
As the kiss deepened, Kenneth's breathing grew heavier. He pulled away reluctantly, his forehead resting against
hers. His voice was low and husky as he teased. "Little one, are you trying to seduce me!"
Ophelia laughed softly, "You're the one seducing me. I'm just returning the favor.
"Sharp-tongued as always, Kenneth chuckled, running his thumb across her soft lips, the heat in his eyes slowly
ebbing away Then, as if in playful revenge, he ruffled her hair, messing up the neat style she'd put together.
As Kenneth's chest rose and fell from the intensity of the moment, Ophelia found herself amused by the sight.
Not long after Kenneth left Rosewood Manor, Lisa emerged from the dining room, carrying Ophelia's phone. "Miss
Ophelia.... no, Mrs. Ophelia, you have a call" she said with a warm smile as she handed the phone over. The
screen showed an unfamiliar number, but Ophelia recognized it—it was from the Hastings family,
"What do they want now? Ophelia wondered, her eyes narrowing. The moment she picked up, Heather's furious
voice blasted through the speaker. "Ophelia, have you lost your mind? How dare you lay a hand on Emily at the
gala? You need to cback here immediately, Heather scolded.
Heather's shouting was so loud that it was like the phone itself was vibrating from the force of her anger.
Ophelia raised an eyebrow, her thoughts racing. I laid a hand on Emily? Since when? Could it be they're blaming
Chipset th
Emily being tossed into that fountain!
She had half a mind to hang up the phone right then and there, but something made her pause. Last night, she'd
hada sneaking suspicion about the whole thing. And now, this call seemed to confirm it. Smiling to herself,
Ophelia replied sweetly. "Sure, | be right over" "Let's see how this plays out. There's still a crucial piece of
evalence missing, and | intend to find it, she pondered with a smirk
At Hastings Villa, Emily saw the video leak first thing in the morning
Despite Miles having done his best to silence the media the night before, ssmall outlets still managed to
release footage from the event. As the news spread, Heather alternated between comforting Emily and cursing
Ophelia under her breath.
Tused to feel guilty for forcing Ophelia to marry the owner of Rosewood Manor, Heather thought bitterly, but now
it's dear she's as venomous as a stake, | never should've brought her back into the family. She's only ever
brought shto us, the caring daughter | raised myself This whole situation can be dealt with pretty easily,
Harry suggested, leaning back casually. "The video doesn't show any faces, so if Sungate Entertainment issues a
statement denying the rumors and pins the blon sscapegoat, it'll all blow over soon enough." Ophelia
had just walked into the room in tto catch Harry's last words. 'A scapegoat?" she thought, instantly piecing
things together and seeing why Heather had called her back..
Just as Ophelia approached, a coffee cup shattered at her feet, its contents-rich, freshly brewed coffee made
from the finest beans-splattering across the floor. Sof the shards grazed her ankle, and bright red blood
trickled down her slender leg Heather glared at her, her eyes burning with hatred. "I didn't rescue you from the
slums so you could turn around and stab me
in the back like this."
"Mom, please don't get so worked up, Emily chimed in, her voice pitiful and her eyes wide, brimming with fake
tears. "It's not good for your health."
Heather took a deep breath, then pointed at Ophelia, her tone sharp and commanding "You. Clear Emily's name
right now. Tell everyone that it was you who got tossed into the fountain last night."
Ophelia glanced around the living room, noticing that Owen wasn't present. If Owen isn't here, then this whole
trip would be a waste of time, she thought, already considering leaving.
But before she could turn away. Harry blocked her path. "Elia, do you even realize what a scandal could do to our
family's reputation? The company's stock could plummet. Dad's on a business trip. You need to take
responsibility before Dad finds out about all this. If you step up and clear Emily's name, we'll forgive what you
did last night.
'A business trip? Ophelia arched an eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "Have you all forgotten, or are your
memories just that short? I've already cut ties with your family. Why on earth would | need your forgiveness?"
"You-" Harry started, but couldn't finish, clearly rattled by her sharp retort
Ophelia turned her gaze to Emily, who stood there looking so innocent and helpless. Without warning, Ophelia
stepped forward, raising her hand.
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Emily flinched, thinking she was about to be slapped, but quickly straightened herself. 'Go ahead, hit me, she
thought. 'It'll just make them hate her even more. She's digging her own grave
But Ophelia didn't hit her. Instead, she gently brushed a strand of Emily's hair behind her ear. "Are you
absolutely sure it waswho had you thrown into the fountain last night?" she asked softly, her voice laced
with hidden steel.
Emily's eyes wavered under Ophelia's piercing gaze, her initial confidence faltering. She knew exactly who had
tossed her into the fountain, but she was banking on Ophelia not knowing
"Elia," Emily stammered. "I never meant to take your place. No matter how much you hate me, you can't just do
this. It's embarrassing for me, sure, but it's also a stain on our family's name
As Emily went on, playing the part of the victim flawlessly, Ophelia's mind wandered. Watching her act, she
suddenly recalled
Chapter 12
the woman she'd seen in Owen's arms last night. They even look so much alike, Ophelia mused, finding the
resemblance
uncanny.
Before Ophelia could respond, Heather rushed forward and pushed her away, shielding Emily like a mother hen
protecting her chick. "You've hurt Emily tand again, all because | lost you when you were a child, isn't that
right? "Blme if you must, but Emily's done nothing wrong. Even if she's not my biological daughter, I've
raised her as my own. You don't need to make things difficult for her."
You may
ay think of her as your daughter, but who knows if she feels the sabout you, Ophelia thought, her gaze
softening with pity. But she didn't bother saying it out loud-Heather wouldn't hear her anyway. The way she
fiercely protected Emily made it clear that any argument would fall on deaf ears.
"Since you're all so certain I'm to blfor last night, why don't you call the police and report me?" Ophelia
suggested, her
tone cool.
Heather's face twisted with rage. "Do you have to take it this far? If you still think ofas your mother, if you
remember that | gave birth to you, then listen to Harry and clear Emily's name. It's not a big deal.
MIMB
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