Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 10

**Paths Lead To Purpose — Kevin Masters**

**Chapter 10**

“Travel and accommodation are all taken care of. All you need to do is pack your bags,” Ophelia said, her voice smooth and inviting.

Owen felt a rush of excitement wash over him, completely entranced by her presence. For a moment, he forgot all about Zoe, his mind racing as he hurried after Ophelia. “They invite you every year? Wait, have you actually won more than ten international IT awards?” His voice held a mix of disbelief and admiration, as if he were speaking to a celebrity.

Zoe, observing the scene with a mix of annoyance and disbelief, couldn’t help but sneer. “Owen’s won countless awards himself and never got invited. Ophelia, that invitation of yours isn’t fake, is it?” Her words dripped with skepticism, a sharp contrast to Owen’s awe.

Owen’s heart raced as he quickly scanned the invitation again, searching for any sign of deceit. But there was nothing—no flaw to be found.

Ophelia shot Zoe a cool glance, her expression unfazed, before she casually took a bite of the juicy fruit in her hand. “If you’re not sure, just submit your information. List me as the referrer. Within twenty-four hours, the organizer will email your plane ticket.” Her tone was confident, and that single statement was all the reassurance Owen needed.

His defenses crumbled, and he plopped down beside her, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Ophelia, are you a hacker too? I mean, why else would they invite you?” The eagerness in his voice was palpable, as if he were unearthing a secret treasure.

Ophelia didn’t flinch at the question. Instead, she popped another grape into her mouth and replied nonchalantly, “You could say that. I’ve been invited twice before as a guest lecturer.”

The first two times had been lucrative, and she had gladly accepted. But this time, her obligations to the company loomed large; there was no time to waste.

“A lecturer?” Owen’s composure cracked for the first time, his eyes widening in disbelief, lighting up like a fanboy who had just encountered his idol. “No way. Really? Then, Ophelia, can you take a look at this for me?” His enthusiasm bubbled over as he pulled out his tablet, thrusting it toward her with an almost desperate urgency, eager for her insights on the program he had crafted.

Zoe, standing off to the side, couldn’t believe how quickly Owen had abandoned her.

‘Seriously? Just because Ophelia knows a bit about computers?’ she thought bitterly, her jealousy flaring like a flame.

“Owen, what’s got you so excited today?” Victoria’s voice broke through the tension as she appeared in the doorway. She looked genuinely surprised to find her son chatting so animatedly with Ophelia.

She had intended to introduce them formally later, but it seemed they had already forged a connection.

But Owen listened intently, hanging on her every word, his admiration for her only deepening with each passing moment.

The sight of the two leaning close together was almost unbearable for Zoe, a knot of frustration tightening in her stomach.

Unable to hold back any longer, she interrupted sharply, “Owen, it’s dinner time. Don’t bother Ophelia anymore.” Her voice cut through the air like a knife, desperate to reclaim his attention.

But Owen, completely ignoring her, turned to Ophelia with shining eyes. “Ophelia, what do you think of my program?”

Ophelia smiled, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. “You did great. If you tweak these few parts, you should have no problem winning first place in this quarter’s international competition.”

“Really?” Owen beamed, his entire face lighting up with joy, as if she had just handed him the keys to his dreams.

Zoe forced a smile, trying to mask her irritation. “Ophelia, I know you just came home and want to make a good impression on Owen, but don’t you think that’s a bit too optimistic? If he doesn’t win first place in the end, he’ll be so disappointed, right, Owen?” Her words dripped with a thinly veiled challenge, hoping to deflate his excitement.