After breakfast, Liam took a ck suit jacket from the coat rack and held it open. Keh stood, spreading his arms as he slipped into it, adjusting the cor and cuffs with his usual crisp precision. The old housekeeper, Lisa Palmer, reached for the matching tie, ready to help him with it.


    But Keh''s eyes shifted to Ophelia. "You do it


    Ophelia blinked, startled. "Me? I don''t know how


    And she really didn''t. Growing up in the slums, no one ever taught her how to tie a tie.


    Til teach you once, Keh said, cing the tie in her hands. He gently took her soft, petite hands in his, guiding them as he lowered his head so she could reach. The tie looped around his neck, and together they fumbled through the motions.


    With the height difference between them, Ophelia had to crane her neck to look up at him. She was so focused, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration, that Keh''s thoughts started drifting, Watching her like this, he felt an overwhelming urge to take her on the spot. He figured if he didn''t pull himself together and stop staring, he wouldn''t make it out of the house today,


    Once it was finished. Keh''s expression slipped back into his usual cold, detached mask. He settled into his wheelchair, ready to leave. But just as he was about to roll away, Ophelia called out. "Wait,"


    She dashed upstairs in a flurry of excitement, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Momentster, she returned, dressed in a fresh outfit that mirrored her determination.


    She recalled Keh''s words from the night before that every outfit should be shown to him first.


    d in a light brown polo shirt paired with a short skirt, her long hair elegantly pinned up with a pearl clip, she exuded a cool,posed confidence that belied her twenty years. There was an air of sophistication about her that was decidedly unchildlike, more akin to a seasoned professional.


    Tm going out in this today," she said with a smile. I thought I''d show you first."


    Keh''s ga


    gaze faltered, his heart skipping a beat. He watched her with an intensity that deepened with every second. "She remembered what I said. She actually cares.


    Suddenly, Keh stood up from the wheelchair, took her by the neck, and kissed her. This kiss wasn''t like the ones before, full of raw possession. This time, it was tender, filled with a delicate longing. His lips moved against hers like she were something precious, fragile.


    Ophelia felt the shift in him, and she responded in kind.


    As the kiss deepened, Keh''s breathing grew heavier. He pulled away reluctantly, his forehead resting against hers. His voice was low and husky as he teased. "Little one, are you trying to seduce me!"


    Opheliaughed softly, "You''re the one seducing me. I''m just returning the favor.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Sharp-tongued as always, Keh chuckled, running his thumb across her soft lips, the heat in his eyes slowly ebbing away Then, as if in yful revenge, he ruffled her hair, messing up the neat style she''d put together.


    As Keh''s chest rose and fell from the intensity of the moment, Ophelia found herself amused by the sight.


    Not long after Keh left Rosewood Manor, Lisa emerged from the dining room, carrying Ophelia''s phone. "Miss Ophelia.... no, Mrs. Ophelia, you have a call" she said with a warm smile as she handed the phone over. The screen showed an unfamiliar number, but Ophelia recognized it—it was from the Hastings family,


    "What do they want now? Ophelia wondered, her eyes narrowing. The moment she picked up, Heather''s furious voice sted through the speaker. "Ophelia, have you lost your mind? How dare youy a hand on Emily at the g? You need toe back here immediately, Heather scolded.


    Heather''s shouting was so loud that it was like the phone itself was vibrating from the force of her anger.


    Ophelia raised an eyebrow, her thoughts racing. Iid a hand on Emily? Since when? Could it be they''re ming me for


    Chipset th


    Emily being tossed into that fountain!


    She had half a mind to hang up the phone right then and there, but something made her pause. Last night, she''d hada sneaking suspicion about the whole thing. And now, this call seemed to confirm it. Smiling to herself, Ophelia replied sweetly. "Sure, I be right over" "Let''s see how this ys out. There''s still a crucial piece of evalence missing, and I intend to find it, she pondered with a smirk


    At Hastings Vi, Emily saw the video leak first thing in the morning


    Despite Miles having done his best to silence the media the night before, some small outlets still managed to release footage from the event. As the news spread, Heather alternated betweenforting Emily and cursing Ophelia under her breath.


    Tused to feel guilty for forcing Ophelia to marry the owner of Rosewood Manor, Heather thought bitterly, but now it''s dear she''s as venomous as a stake, I never should''ve brought her back into the family. She''s only ever brought shame to us, the caring daughter I raised myself This whole situation can be dealt with pretty easily, Harry suggested, leaning back casually. "The video doesn''t show any faces, so if Sungate Entertainment issues a statement denying the rumors and pins the me on some scapegoat, it''ll all blow over soon enough." Ophelia had just walked into the room in time to catch Harry''sst words. ''A scapegoat?" she thought, instantly piecing things together and seeing why Heather had called her back..


    Just as Ophelia approached, a coffee cup shattered at her feet, its contents-rich, freshly brewed coffee made from the finest beans-sttering across the floor. Some of the shards grazed her ankle, and bright red blood trickled down her slender leg Heather red at her, her eyes burning with hatred. "I didn''t rescue you from the slums so you could turn around and stab me


    in the back like this."


    "Mom, please don''t get so worked up, Emily chimed in, her voice pitiful and her eyes wide, brimming with fake tears. "It''s not good for your health."


    Heather took a deep breath, then pointed at Ophelia, her tone sharp andmanding "You. Clear Emily''s name right now. Tell everyone that it was you who got tossed into the fountainst night."


    Ophelia nced around the living room, noticing that Owen wasn''t present. If Owen isn''t here, then this whole trip would be a waste of time, she thought, already considering leaving.


    But before she could turn away. Harry blocked her path. "Elia, do you even realize what a scandal could do to our family''s reputation? Thepany''s stock could plummet. Dad''s on a business trip. You need to take responsibility before Dad finds out about all this. If you step up and clear Emily''s name, we''ll forgive what you didst night.


    ''A business trip? Ophelia arched an eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "Have you all forgotten, or are your memories just that short? I''ve already cut ties with your family. Why on earth would I need your forgiveness?"


    "You-" Harry started, but couldn''t finish, clearly rattled by her sharp retort


    Ophelia turned her gaze to Emily, who stood there looking so innocent and helpless. Without warning, Ophelia stepped forward, raising her hand.


    Emily flinched, thinking she was about to be pped, but quickly straightened herself. ''Go ahead, hit me, she thought. ''It''ll just make them hate her even more. She''s digging her own grave


    But Ophelia didn''t hit her. Instead, she gently brushed a strand of Emily''s hair behind her ear. "Are you absolutely sure it was me who had you thrown into the fountainst night?" she asked softly, her voiceced with hidden steel.


    Emily''s eyes wavered under Ophelia''s piercing gaze, her initial confidence faltering. She knew exactly who had tossed her into the fountain, but she was banking on Ophelia not knowing


    "Elia," Emily stammered. "I never meant to take your ce. No matter how much you hate me, you can''t just do this. It''s embarrassing for me, sure, but it''s also a stain on our family''s name


    As Emily went on, ying the part of the victim wlessly, Ophelia''s mind wandered. Watching her act, she suddenly recalled


    the woman she''d seen in Owen''s armsst night. They even look so much alike, Ophelia mused, finding the resemnce


    uncanny.


    Before Ophelia could respond, Heather rushed forward and pushed her away, shielding Emily like a mother hen protecting her chick. "You''ve hurt Emily time and again, all because I lost you when you were a child, isn''t that right? "me me if you must, but Emily''s done nothing wrong. Even if she''s not my biological daughter, I''ve raised her as my own. You don''t need to make things difficult for her."


    You may


    ay think of her as your daughter, but who knows if she feels the same about you, Ophelia thought, her gaze softening with pity. But she didn''t bother saying it out loud-Heather wouldn''t hear her anyway. The way she fiercely protected Emily made it clear that any argument would fall on deaf ears.


    "Since you''re all so certain I''m to me forst night, why don''t you call the police and report me?" Ophelia suggested, her


    tone cool.


    Heather''s face twisted with rage. "Do you have to take it this far? If you still think of me as your mother, if you remember that I gave birth to you, then listen to Harry and clear Emily''s name. It''s not a big deal.


    MIMB