Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 71

**Paths Lead To Purpose — Kevin Masters**

**Chapter 71**

Even though he maintained a calm demeanor, the way he casually lifted his coffee cup again hinted at a deeper curiosity about the dynamics of their relationship. It was as if each sip was a question, a silent probe into the unspoken feelings that lingered in the air.

Ophelia felt a familiar wave of frustration bubbling up inside her. She had anticipated that her father would inevitably dissect Alaric’s carefully articulated words from the previous evening, reading between the lines in a way she wished he wouldn’t.

With a soft exhale, she began, “Dad, Mom, the reality is that I hardly know Alaric at all. While I’ve crossed paths with him and Mr. Zachary Caldwell at the hospital, our exchanges have been sporadic at best.”

She paused, gathering her thoughts as she looked at her father. “We are hardly acquainted to the point where I could even begin to understand his personal tastes or preferences.”

Adrian scrutinized his daughter’s face, searching for any hint of insincerity but finding none. The disappointment that settled in his chest felt heavier than he expected. He had hoped that the distance Ophelia exhibited towards Alaric at the banquet was simply a manifestation of feminine modesty rather than a sign of true indifference.

“Is that truly the case?” he inquired gently, his voice laced with concern. “Yet Alaric seems quite infatuated with you. I had assumed that you two had at least forged some semblance of friendship.”

Ophelia’s thoughts raced as she considered their interactions. Although she viewed them as strangers, Alaric’s willingness to put himself on the line for her, despite their limited encounters, hinted at an interest that ran deeper than she had initially thought. This was a level of concern he had never shown towards Zoe.

“At best, we are merely casual acquaintances,” Ophelia insisted, downplaying their connection further. “I certainly wouldn’t categorize us as friends.”

In her mind, she rationalized that Alaric’s attention stemmed not from genuine affection but rather from curiosity or perhaps even a sense of utility. As a seasoned businessman, he likely recognized that her talents could be advantageous to him. That, she concluded, would explain his seemingly unusual interest.

Victoria, caught in the middle of this exchange, glanced back and forth between her husband and daughter, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Are you absolutely certain?” she probed, her voice tinged with concern. Alaric’s apparent worry seemed heartfelt, yet Ophelia’s words rang equally true.

Eager to steer the conversation away from Alaric, Ophelia adopted a pragmatic tone. “Dad, Mom, there really is nothing to discuss regarding us. As for the thank-you gift, why not leave that to Samuel? Something suitable for both families would be perfectly acceptable. There’s no need for excessive deliberation.”

“But handing this over to the staff feels rather impersonal,” Victoria countered, her voice filled with a motherly instinct that believed the gesture deserved more personal touch.

Ophelia remained calm in her response, “I doubt Mr. Caldwell intervened with any expectation of reward, don’t you think?”

Recognizing the logic in her daughter’s reasoning, Victoria finally conceded, “Very well, your father and I will discuss this matter further.”

“Thank you,” Ophelia replied, a wave of relief washing over her as she felt she had clarified the situation.

Just then, Zoe burst into the room, her expression stormy and filled with unspoken turmoil. She dropped a thermal container onto the coffee table with a thud before collapsing into a chair, her posture heavy with frustration.

“Zoe, what’s bothering you?” Victoria asked, immediately sensing her daughter’s distress.

Forcing a thin smile, Zoe attempted to mask her feelings. “It’s nothing, Mom. Just some complications with my necklace repair.”

“Can it not be fixed?” Victoria inquired sympathetically, her heart aching for her daughter. “Please don’t worry about it. I can buy you a new one.”

“No, it can be repaired,” Zoe replied, her expression darkening further. “But the cost is absolutely staggering.”

The repair quote from Caterina had been astronomical, a figure in the hundreds of thousands, far exceeding her means. Regret washed over her as she thought back to the moment of carelessness that had led to the damage. Had she known the consequences, she would never have risked her most cherished necklace just for a chance to showcase Ophelia’s latest collection.

“Of course, the repair costs are high,” Ophelia interjected with an air of natural assumption. “That was a custom Caterina piece crafted by a master jeweler, after all. And didn’t Chloe agree to cover the expenses? Or is your frustration stemming from the fact that she can’t actually afford it?”

Zoe’s composure faltered at the mention of Chloe, but she quickly steadied herself. “While it’s technically Chloe’s responsibility, we must remember she works hard for her money. Depleting her savings would create genuine hardship.”

“How unexpectedly compassionate of you,” Ophelia remarked, her eyebrow arching with mild amusement. “If you’re so concerned, you could always cover the cost yourself. Or simply leave the necklace as it is.”

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