Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 11

**TITLE: Paths Lead To Purpose — Kevin Masters**
**Chapter 11**

Zoe attempted to tug Owen back to her side, but the moment she made her move, his expression shifted to one of seriousness. “The parts Ophelia helped me fix were exactly the ones I’d been stuck on for ages,” he declared, his voice filled with newfound determination. “Once I improve them, I’m sure I can win first place.” Zoe felt her face flush with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. *Seriously? How did this brat get swayed by Ophelia after just a few sentences?* she thought bitterly, the jealousy gnawing at her insides.

In an effort to regain control of the conversation, Zoe adopted her best imitation of Ophelia’s calm demeanor. “Owen,” she began, her voice steady but laced with a hint of condescension, “Mom, Dad, and Ophelia all know how talented you are, but being arrogant isn’t right, okay? You should stay humble.” She tried to sound wise, but deep down, she felt the sting of inadequacy.

Ophelia’s brow furrowed slightly at Zoe’s words. *Zoe doesn’t even understand the situation, and she’s still trying to teach Owen a lesson about arrogance? That’s a bit much,* she mused silently, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features.

Victoria, sensing the tension and worried that her son might become conceited, smiled gently as she chimed in, “Zoe’s right, Owen. You shouldn’t be too proud.” Her voice was soothing, a mother’s instinct to guide her child through the murky waters of adolescence.

Owen’s frustration bubbled beneath the surface. *How can I explain that I’m not being arrogant? I just know the competition’s level this year, and that I’ve got a real chance,* he thought helplessly, feeling trapped between his ambitions and the expectations of those around him.

Noticing the unease radiating from Owen, Ophelia finally decided to intervene. “Mom, Dad, Owen isn’t being arrogant,” she stated firmly, her tone cutting through the tension like a knife. “I’m one of the judges for this year’s international competition, and I know the scoring criteria.”

There was a moment of silence, the weight of her revelation hanging in the air. “Once his program is refined, he’ll definitely be miles ahead of the others. First place won’t be a problem.” She hadn’t wanted to divulge so much, but Zoe’s relentless prodding left her little choice. After all, it wasn’t like this minor title was something to be ashamed of.

“A judge?” Victoria exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as she turned to Adrian.

While they might not have been well-versed in the world of IT, they understood that those who excelled in that field often enjoyed lucrative careers. If Ophelia was a judge for an international competition, her skills must be truly exceptional.

As Zoe observed the mixture of surprise and pride on her parents’ faces, a fresh wave of jealousy surged within her. “Ophelia, I know you’re trying to defend Owen, but lying just to make him happy isn’t right. Studying IT costs a fortune,” she retorted, her voice dripping with disdain. “The Vossen family’s a small household, and I heard they favor sons over daughters. Would they really spend that much money for you to study IT? You’re so young; how could you possibly have been both a lecturer and a judge?”

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