Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 46

**Paths Lead To Purpose — Kevin Masters**
**Chapter 46**

In that fleeting moment, Alaric found himself momentarily paralyzed, as if time had slowed to a crawl. He was baffled by the words that had just escaped his lips. Why had he said that? What had compelled him to utter such a thing?

The more he pondered, the more absurd it seemed.

With a playful smirk curling at the corners of his mouth, Alaric leaned back in his seat and drawled, “You really don’t need to be so hard on yourself, Ophelia.”

Her brow arched in a challenge, and Ophelia replied with a tone that was both sharp and unwavering, “I’m not being hard on myself. I’m simply stating a fact. I know I’m exceptional. That’s precisely why, Mr. Caldwell, when I choose to decline your advances, it’s not because I feel inadequate.”

She paused, letting the weight of her words linger in the air. “It’s because you’re simply not my type.”

Alaric’s interest was undeniably piqued. “Oh? Is that so?” he leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. “Then enlighten me, what exactly is your type?”

With an air of cool detachment, Ophelia replied, “No comment.” Her lips quirked into a sly smile. “But I can assure you, it’s definitely not you.”

She gestured toward the window with a flick of her chin. “So, Mr. Caldwell, are you ready to step out now?”

Alaric observed her, sitting there with an aura of boldness and unrestrained confidence. His brow arched slightly, intrigued by her fearless demeanor.

What he had once merely considered interesting had transformed into something utterly captivating. There was an undeniable magnetism about her, a compelling force that urged him to uncover every layer of her personality.

“I did promise to join you for a test drive,” Alaric responded, his demeanor unruffled. “How could I possibly exit at this moment?” Ophelia couldn’t help but stifle a laugh internally, thinking, ‘Typical man. Seems like your sincerity has a short shelf life.’

“Alright then, Mr. Caldwell, brace yourself. We’re about to take off,” Ophelia said, her eyes sparkling with mischief as a radiant smile broke across her face while she started the engine.

A fleeting instinct caused Alaric’s pupils to constrict ever so slightly. He sensed that her smile was a harbinger of trouble. Outside, Dylan frowned, his brow furrowing as he observed the car pull away from the curb.

“Owen, don’t you think Alaric seems a bit… different today?” Dylan asked, his voice laced with concern.

Owen shook his head, dismissing the notion. “I don’t think so. Isn’t this just typical Alaric? Wait—”

His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. “He does seem to act differently when Ophelia’s around.”

As the car darted and spun across the track, tires screeching in protest, Alaric’s body jolted with every sharp turn, his grip tightening on the seat as he struggled to maintain his composure.

Noticing that Alaric was too preoccupied with clinging to his seat to utter a word, Ophelia’s irritation began to fade. ‘Seriously, did he really have the audacity to ride with me?’ she thought, a smirk playing on her lips. ‘Does he genuinely believe that being a pro off-road racer is merely for show?’

The track was smooth, undeniably so, but Ophelia’s driving alone was enough to send most people into a panic or worse. After several exhilarating laps, she finally eased off the accelerator, allowing the car to glide gently.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Alaric. His expression was no longer the calm facade he had worn earlier; it was clear he was struggling to mask his discomfort.

Raising an eyebrow, he remarked stiffly, “I didn’t expect you to possess such driving prowess.”

Though the words sounded like a compliment, the queasiness in his stomach betrayed him.

Alaric admired Ophelia’s skill behind the wheel, but extreme sports had never been his forte. The high-speed jolts churned his stomach, yet somehow, he managed to maintain an air of composure.

Ophelia watched him, surprised by how unfazed he appeared, as if the wild ride had not rattled him at all.