Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 34

**Paths Lead To Purpose — Kevin Masters**
**Chapter 34**

“Ophelia, it’s been a while since we last saw you. How about you come in for another check-up later?” Connor attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction, his tone casual but with an underlying concern.

Alaric, however, remained unfazed, his expression a mask of indifference. “That sounds good. My grandfather has been eager to meet you, Ophelia. You can check Connor’s pulse first, and then head over to see my grandfather afterward.”

The moment Connor processed Alaric’s intention to introduce Ophelia to Zachary, he nearly let his cup slip from his grasp.

‘If Zachary discovers that the one who saved his life is Ophelia, Alaric’s fiancée, my chances of winning this game would be utterly diminished,’ Connor mused, a wave of anxiety washing over him.

“Zachary is doing just fine; he doesn’t require another check-up. And I’m perfectly alright too. You both can go off and do whatever you like,” Connor asserted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice.

‘Consider it a strategic move for Alaric. If Ophelia ends up with my grandson, perhaps he will become less of a nuisance later,’ he rationalized, a flicker of hope igniting in his mind.

Having successfully maneuvered the situation to his advantage, Alaric flashed a triumphant smile. “Alright then, Dr. Rowle, let’s get going.”

The day was still young; aside from grabbing a bite to eat, they could engage in other activities as well.

Ophelia’s mood soured slightly. ‘Are they already making plans without me? I’m not that easily swayed,’ she thought, a stubborn streak igniting within her.

“I have a prior engagement around noon. I’m afraid I won’t be able to join you for lunch, Mr. Caldwell,” she replied, her voice steady, though her mind was racing.

“That’s perfectly fine. I didn’t eat much for lunch anyway. How about dinner instead? I’ll choose the venue, and you can take care of the bill, Ms. Rowle,” Alaric proposed, his tone assertive.

‘Why does he have to be so presumptuous? When did I ever agree to treat him to dinner?’ Ophelia thought, irritation bubbling beneath her composed exterior.

‘Did I ever indicate that I would be buying him dinner tonight?’ she grumbled internally, her frustration mounting.

Just then, Alaric’s phone buzzed insistently. “Alright then, Ms. Rowle. I’ll see you tonight,” he said, stepping away to take the call on the balcony, not allowing her the chance to object.

Connor couldn’t resist chiming in, “This guy is as cunning as a fox.”

Ophelia nodded in reluctant agreement. “Absolutely, a sharp and overbearing fox. It seems I have no choice but to treat him this time,” she admitted, a wry smile forming on her lips.

Connor sighed, attempting to reassure her. “Well, think of it as a small favor. Once you’ve repaid it, you can put it behind you.”

He offered his support, but then turned his attention elsewhere, leaving Ophelia to contemplate her predicament.

Ophelia smiled softly. “You really understand me,” she said, grateful for his camaraderie.

They exchanged a knowing smile, continuing to sip their coffee, savoring the rich flavors that deserved to be fully appreciated before they departed.

Before making her exit from the hospital, Ophelia conducted one final check on Connor, confirming he was in good health. Satisfied, she made her way home. However, upon her arrival, she was taken aback to find several unfamiliar faces in the living room, each carrying large bags. Victoria, Zoe, and Owen stood nearby, their expressions a mix of astonishment and confusion as they surveyed the bounty the strangers had brought.

As soon as Victoria spotted Ophelia, she rushed forward, her excitement palpable. “Ophelia, you’re back! These are Caterina’s senior service managers.”

“They’ve actually delivered the dresses you designed in record time; there are whispers that they rushed here overnight. They even brought along some rare evening gowns from their archives,” she explained, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Caterina had rapidly ascended to become the most esteemed luxury brand among the elite, known for their exclusivity and high standards. They rarely catered to anyone outside their inner circle, let alone the Rowle family, who were among the upper echelons of society. Yet today, they had broken all protocols to deliver dresses to Ophelia.

Ophelia felt her eyelid twitch slightly, a clear indication that Ella was behind this extravagant gesture.

Ella, knowing how crucial it was for Ophelia to have evening gowns for an upcoming significant event, had ensured that her designs were crafted overnight.

She had even unearthed some of her past collectible pieces, all tailored to Ophelia’s measurements, so that Ophelia could wear them with confidence.

‘Why does Caterina treat Ophelia with such special attention? Just because she entered a design competition and won some awards?’ Zoe mused, her mind racing with resentment.

As Ophelia stepped into the changing room, Owen, holding his game console, muttered, “Ophelia is incredible. The designs she submitted yesterday, and now Caterina comes personally to serve her. Dylan never received such treatment, right?”

Zoe sneered with jealousy, “Yeah, Ophelia’s really fortunate. I wonder how many of those priceless dresses she can actually wear.”

She was convinced that aside from the one she had designed herself, Ophelia wouldn’t be able to fit into a single one of these collectible gowns.

With that thought lingering, Zoe settled down and took a sip of her coffee, trying to mask her discontent.

Before long, Lily emerged from the changing room, leading Ophelia out with a flourish.

“Ms. Rowle, you truly embody this luxurious collectible piece. This dress has finally found its rightful owner,” Lily announced, her voice filled with pride, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the living room.

Victoria’s gaze was fixed on her daughter, who wore a gown that sparkled like a sea of diamonds. As a woman herself, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“Oh my god, Ophelia, you look absolutely stunning,” Victoria exclaimed, completely taken aback by her daughter’s transformation.

Though Lily had simply styled Ophelia’s hair into an elegant bun and applied light makeup to complement the dress, the gown seemed to have been crafted just for her. It accentuated her breathtaking beauty, making her appear both radiant and regal.

“Wow. Ophelia, you look like a princess,” Owen marveled, unable to contain his admiration. “You have such a fantastic figure. Why do you always wear shirts? You look incredible in a dress.”

Zoe stood there, dumbfounded. She had never anticipated Ophelia would actually fit into this collectible gown, and the size was impeccable.

The entire dress hugged her curves flawlessly, showcasing her stunning figure in the best light.

The slight train flowed behind her, making her resemble a mermaid princess emerging from the sea—fresh, charming, and utterly dazzling. Even Zoe found herself captivated, as if the dress had been made exclusively for Ophelia.