Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Chapter 74

“See that she receives a consultation fee,” he instructed, his voice carefully neutral.

Ryan blinked in confusion. “Mr. Caldwell, what consultation fee?”

Alaric’s eyebrow arched slightly. “The one she asked for.”

“But she never asked for payment,” Ryan persisted, his brow furrowed in genuine puzzlement.

“She didn’t ask for it?” The revelation gave Alaric pause.

“Did something happen between you two?” Ryan ventured cautiously.

Alaric’s attention drifted to the scar ointment Ophelia had left behind. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.

‘She insists on maintaining this pretense of indifference, he mused, ‘yet her actions suggest otherwise!

The sky had deepened to twilight when Ophelia returned home.

Light spilled from the villa’s windows where Victoria was directing the dinner preparations.

Victoria hurried to meet her, concern etching her features. “You were gone so long. Is everything alright with Alaric?”

“Just exhaustion from overworking while ill,” Ophelia reassured her. “The medicine should have him recovered after proper rest.”

“I see, that’s a relief,” Victoria sighed, a hint of tenderness in her voice. “Poor boy, pushing himself so hard even when he’s not well.”

“Ophelia,” Adrian interjected gently, though his eyes held a probing look, “since Alaric hadn’t fully recovered, didn’t you consider staying with him a little longer?”

Ophelia nearly smiled at her father’s transparent attempt at matchmaking.

“Dad, Mr. Caldwell has staff to look after him,” she deflected, sidestepping his underlying intention.

Clearly, mere words wouldn’t convince her family of her disinterest in Alaric. She would need to demonstrate it through action.

“Dad,” Dylan cut in, coming to his sister’s aid, “Ophelia has done all she reasonably can. I don’t see any need for her to personally attend to Mr. Caldwell further. He’s on the mend and just needs rest, and Ophelia has her own work to attend to.”

Ophelia flashed her brother a grateful look.

He responded with a warm smile, understanding without words that she wanted no further entanglement with Alaric. Her preferences were what mattered to him.

Adrian conceded with a nod. “Very well, then.”

If this was his daughter’s wish, he would wait and observe how matters unfolded naturally.

“Shall we move to dinner? It’s about time,” Victoria announced, beckoning the family toward the dining room. As the family settled around the table, Zoe made a belated entrance.

She had initially intended to skip the meal, but curiosity got the better of her upon hearing that Ophelia had visited Alaric again.

The knowledge stung. Zoe had gone to the hospital that morning only to find him absent, and now Ophelia had been summoned to his side that very afternoon. The thought settled like a bitter weight in her chest. “Zoe, you look pale. Are you feeling unwell?” Victoria asked, her voice laced with concern as she reached out to feel Zoe’s forehead.

Zoe instinctively flinched away before catching herself. She offered a strained smile. “No, Mom, I’m fine. Just

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Chapter 74

a bit tired. That’s all.”

“I see.” Victoria withdrew her hand, accepting the explanation without suspicion. “Then make sure you retire early after dinner and get some proper rest.”

Zoe nodded, affecting a delicate weariness. “Of course.”

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