Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 167

167 Chapter 167

167.Chapter 167

“No, what I meant by keeping my distance is because we have a grudge. If you really mess up and get kicked out, people might say I’m just out for revenge,” Ophelia blinked innocently. “I’m a professional judge, you know. I play by the book.” Layla’s face went pale as a sheet. ‘A grudge? Did she just say that out loud?’ she thought.

‘How can she just admit we have beef like it’s nothing?’ Layla thought, stunned.

‘She really doesn’t care about the Vossen family at all anymore; Layla realized, her heart sinking. Layla glanced up at Ophelia, only to find Ophelia’s eyes brimming with playful mockery and scorn. ‘How could I ever think Ophelia would help me?’ Layla wondered, a bitter taste rising in her mouth. Here, it was all about skill. Personal grudges didn’t matter at all.

Layla felt her heart drop, sinking deeper and deeper, until it was like she’d plunged straight into a bottomless pit of pain. Ophelia was clearly mocking her for not being professional.

She was just getting back at her for accusing her of being late and not following the rules earlier.

“Ophelia, are you really this cold?” Layla gritted out, bitterness in her voice. ‘She really isn’t leaving me any way out, Layla thought.

“Just following the rules,” Ophelia said, her shoulders lifting with righteous confidence.

‘Now she’s calling me cold? Where was all that cocky attitude when she cornered me at the door just moments ago?’ Ophelia thought, bitterness rising in her chest.

‘Thank god I’m a judge, Ophelia thought. ‘If I’d come as a contestant, Layla would have blocked me at the door.”

Layla stumbled and collapsed into a chair, her mind going blank. ‘I’m out, she thought, the realization hitting her like a punch to the gut.

Everyone handed in their entries, and the judges had finished their selection.

“Contestants, please head back and wait for the results,” the announcer said.

One by one, everyone left the venue, but Layla just sat there in a daze, unable to move from her chair.

“Boss, that two-faced girl really knows how to play both sides. She’s got guts, too, she even tried to sneakily ask you for help right at the event,” Ella said, her lips curling in disdain.

“She just doesn’t want to miss out on this chance,” Ophelia replied, her eyes dark and her tone distant.

There was nothing wrong with wanting to get ahead, but one couldn’t just do whatever it took, no matter the cost. Ella thought for a moment, then nodded. “True. The Vossen Group is already liquidating its assets. They’ll probably announce bankruptcy any day now. She really doesn’t have many chances left.

“But Boss, Carter’s been acting really strange lately,” Ella said, frowning, looking totally puzzled. “What’s up with him?” Ophelia asked offhandedly, glancing at Ella. “Is he pestering you again?” “No, not that, Ella replied, her voice dropping, sounding conflicted. “It’s like he’s just disappeared.” Ophelia was thrown off for a second. ‘Disappeared? What’s that supposed to mean?’ she wondered.

“He used to show up at the office and stir up trouble, but after we called the cops, he backed off. Still, he kept trying to see you. Then, once the Vossen family found out you were Rowan, he just dropped off the radar.

“I figured that was normal, but now he’s not even showing up at the Vossen Group,” Ella said. ‘With the company liquidating assets, Carter should be around helping out, but he’s just… gone, she thought.

Ophelia’s eyes narrowed as she remembered visiting the Vossen residence before, Carter hadn’t been there either.

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