Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Zoe bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to appear calm. “Oh, Ophelia?” she said with feigned concern. “She was supposed to report today. We left the house together, but I’ve no idea why her car hasn’t arrived yet.”

She let out a carefully crafted sigh. “My sister has always been impulsive. Maybe she changed her mind on the way here.”

“She’s not coming?” Declan’s eyebrow arched, his expression growing more irritated.

“My grandpa specifically asked me to show her around. If she’s not coming, she could have at least had the courtesy to inform someone.” The sheer disrespect of the situation grated on him.

Zoe’s face displayed perfectly simulated surprise. So Ophelia hadn’t been lying after all. Connor had genuinely arranged a campus guide, and none other than his own grandson.

The realization sent a sharp pang of jealousy through her. She thought bitterly, ‘Why does Mr. Blackwell favor her so much? What makes her so special?’

Though Declan was tempted to leave immediately, he knew this was his grandfather’s direct request.

Suppressing his annoyance, he asked, “Aren’t you sisters? Can’t you try contacting her to see if she’s actually coming?”

Caught off guard by his persistence, Zoe quickly fabricated, “I already tried calling, but she isn’t picking up.”

Declan’s frown deepened. In his eyes, Ophelia wasn’t just irresponsible. She couldn’t even be bothered to answer her own sister’s calls.

“Fine. I’m not wasting any more time on this,” he stated coldly, turning to leave, His schedule was already packed enough without chasing after some unreliable transfer student.

“Of course,” Zoe replied sweetly. “I’ll make sure to let her know you were waiting”

But just as Declan turned away, a taxi pulled up to the school gates.

The door swung open, and a shaft of sunlight illuminated the young woman stepping out.

She moved with natural grace, her features refined, her hair cascading freely, her eyes bright and compelling. Her silhouette was striking, almost sculpted in its perfection.

Though she wore no makeup, her beauty was arresting enough to captivate any onlooker.

For a moment, even Declan, who was accustomed to being around beautiful people, found himself momentarily stunned.

As she approached the school entrance, a thought crossed his mind. ‘How have I never noticed someone like her at school before?’

With each step she took in his direction, he felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest, a sudden, rhythmic pounding that seemed to grow louder with her proximity.

As Ophelia reached the school entrance, her gaze briefly rested on Zoe and the young man standing beside her. Assuming he was merely another student, she intended to pass by without interruption when Zoe’s startled exclamation broke the silence.

“Ophelia! You made it?” Zoe’s voice carried a note of theatrical surprise.

One eyebrow arched slightly as Ophelia responded, “We departed together this morning. Surely you haven’t forgotten already?”

A flicker of unease crossed Zoe’s features before being swiftly concealed behind a mask of concern. “Oh, I only meant, why are you in a taxi? What happened to your car? Nothing serious, I hope?”

Her performance was impeccable, every syllable dripping with artificial worry.

Ophelia remained unmoved, her calm eyes shifting momentarily to assess the young man beside Zoe.

She thought, ‘Must we perform this sisterly charade for an audience? Her obsession with appearances is truly remarkable.’

It was at this moment that recognition dawned on Declan.

“She is Ophelia?” he asked.

Ophelia stood in stark contrast to the cunning social climber he had envisioned, the sort who might manipulate his grandfather for personal gain.

Her presence was more compelling than he had suc

Successfully unlocked!

After collecting his thoughts, he extended his hand with practiced courtesy. “Hi, I’m Declan Blackwell. My grandfather asked me to show you around campus on your first day.”

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Chapter 84

“Mr. Blackwell’s grandson?” Ophelia permitted herself a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Connor had indeed been true to his word. He’d dispatched his own grandson as her guide. It appeared his matchmaking intentions were more serious than she had presumed.

Yet observing Declan’s modern demeanor, she felt certain he would share her aversion to any arranged connection.

“Thank you for the offer,” she replied with polite detachment, “but I can manage on my own.”

Her refusal caught Declan off guard.

‘Perhaps I misjudged her. Could it be she genuinely isn’t pursuing some agenda through Grandpa?’ he wondered.

His tone softened almost imperceptibly. “It’s no trouble at all. Orienting new students is simply what we do here.”

The statement held a certain irony. While other students regularly participated in welcome activities, he had never previously engaged in such routines.

Ophelia had been prepared to offer another refusal, but there was an unexpected sincerity in his manner, a respect for boundaries that prompted her to reconsider.

She studied him more carefully. His composure was natural, his elegance unforced, and he carried himself without any trace of arrogance.

No wonder Connor spoke of his grandson with such evident pride. The old man’s admiration, it seemed, was not entirely misplaced.

“Ophelia, I was speaking to you.” Zoe’s tone tightened as she watched the silent exchange between Ophelia and Declan, irritated by how effortlessly Ophelia seemed to capture his attention.

Not wanting their interaction to continue, she grasped Ophelia’s hand with manufactured concern. “I was just telling Declan how worried I was. I’d begun to think you wouldn’t make it today.”

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