Chapter 26: Overly Confident Man

“Yes.” Refusing would prove that she was guilty. Ophelia thought and felt a bit uneasy. This banquet was to celebrate Arturo’s mother, Elizabeth Pruitt’s, sixtieth birthday. Elizabeth was the mistress of Winford’s eldest uncle. Given Winford’s status, agreeing to attend her birthday banquet would be lowering himself. So, Winford’s agreement seemed very unexpected.

On the day of the banquet, as soon as Ophelia got out of the car, she separated from Winford. Winford was led away by Arturo, who was being very polite, seeming to have some sort of plan. As soon as Ophelia entered the banquet hall, someone approached her.

“Ophelia!” It was Bessie. Bessie looked at Ophelia’s dress and couldn’t hide a bit of jealousy. Ophelia’s outfit wasn’t fancy, but she looked stunning even in casual wear because of her good looks and demeanor, as long as she didn’t dress in a “Goth” style.

“Come with me quickly.” Bessie grabbed Ophelia. Ophelia, surprised, was pulled into the back garden.

“What are you doing?” Ophelia asked, struggling and upset. Bessie looked surprised. “This is the Pruitt’s place! Don’t you want to see Mr. Cullen?”

“Why would I go to see him?” Ophelia raised her eyebrows, looking even more surprised. Bessie got anxious.

“Ophelia, in Sunset Vista before, I know you were worried about Mr. Winford getting angry, so you didn’t dare to leave. But now it’s different. You don’t have to worry so much. Just apologize to Mr. Cullen properly, reconcile with him, and then tell Mr. Winford that you and Mr. Cullen have actually been together for a long time. Mr. Winford won’t compete with his nephew for you.”

Apologize? Ophelia frowned. “Apologize for what?” Bessie looked like it was obvious. “Of course apologize for marrying Mr. Winford! You let Mr. Cullen down; shouldn’t you apologize?”

Ophelia scoffed, “I let him down? I wasn’t even with him. How is that letting him down?” Bessie said, “But you agreed to elope with him! You made him wait for so long, then married Mr. Winford without telling him. Don’t you owe him an apology?”

Chapter 26: Overly Confident Man

Ophelia smiled. Bessie was about to relax when she heard Ophelia continue.

“I already had an engagement with Winford. It was Cullen who instigated me to elope with him. If I need to apologize, it should be to Winford. But if Winford finds out everything, what do you think he will do to Cullen?”

Bessie was stunned. “No. Ophelia, you…” “Ophelia!” A call suddenly came. Hearing the familiar, long-unheard voice, Ophelia frowned, her gaze instantly turning cold. Looking up, a handsome man walked over. She immediately clenched her fists, her lowered eyes filled with coldness. Cullen Pruitt! He never liked her. His initial approach was just to exploit her and obtain what he wanted. How ridiculous that in her last life, she was deceived by him for many years, ultimately losing her life! Looking up, Ophelia narrowed her eyes, her gaze calm and deep. Since she had been reborn, neither Cullen nor Bessie would escape her revenge.

Chapter 23: Overly Confident Man

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” Bessie sighed in relief, giving Cullen a wink. Upon receiving a gentle look from him, Bessie blushed, showing a shy expression, and quickly left. Ophelia carefully watched everything, her eyes showing a sharp coldness. Were they already together then? And they were actually flirting so blatantly. Did they think she was an idiot or couldn’t see?

“Ophelia,” Cullen came closer, asking right away, “why didn’t you… respond to my calls?” Ophelia curled her lip, feeling slightly revolted. “I blocked you. Don’t you get what that means?”

Cullen was surprised, a bit angry, but he controlled it. “Are you scared of my blame? Bessie should have told you, if you really apologize, I can forgive you.” As he talked, he moved nearer, his hand resting on the pillar near her head. From afar, their stance seemed very close, as if they might kiss any second.

“Stay away. I’m married.” “Married? Humph!” Cullen scoffed. “I heard you married an old, disabled man. How can he be comparable to me? Even if he’s rich, can he be richer than my family? Ophelia, I’m giving you one chance. Stop throwing a tantrum. If you admit your mistake and apologize, I can forgive you!”

Not far off, in the shadows, Winford sat quietly in his wheelchair. Behind him, Graham held his breath, too afraid to make a sound. Cullen’s voice was loud, just barely heard from where they were.

“I am old and disabled, not comparable to him.” Winford spoke, his deep voice hard to read. “Then tell me, why did she marry me?” Graham didn’t dare to answer. ‘Are they close?’ Looking at Cullen leaning in close to Ophelia, he asked.

Graham lowered his head, carefully, unwilling but forced to say, “Before, Ms. Bessie from the Greene family visited Sunset Vista, saying Ms. Ophelia liked someone. If I’m not wrong, that person is Mr. Cullen.” On the armrest, Winford’s hand tightened without him realizing it. Silence filled the space. After a while, he said, “Let’s go.” Graham didn’t dare to guess Winford’s feelings, quickly pushing the wheelchair and leaving quietly.

Ophelia didn’t notice anyone had come and gone silently. She looked at the proud and overly confident man in front of her, thinking how blind she must have been in the past to like such a jerk.

Seeing her quiet, Cullen suggested, “If you want to apologize to me, you’d better come with some sincerity. I heard you took back the shares you left with your stepmother.” He finished, confidently waiting for Ophelia to offer the “apology gift.” He knew Ophelia, naive and silly, lacking experience. With some manipulation, she had fallen for him deeply. So far, she had never denied his requests, except for her mother’s notes, which she was still hesitant to give.

Ophelia understood his hint, finding it ridiculous. “You want those shares?” Cullen stated firmly, “It’s what you should give me to apologize.”

“Are you daydreaming or something?” Ophelia interrupted him sharply, her pretty eyes showing clear mockery. He dared to be shameless enough to ask her for an apology gift. Cullen was stunned. He had been fully confident that Ophelia would give him those shares, but he hadn’t expected to be rejected.

“Ophelia, you…” “Can you keep your distance from me?” Ophelia stepped back, showing disgust, and waved her hand in front of her nose. “Your breath is so foul it makes me want to vomit!” Cullen’s face alternated between red and livid, showing his anger. “Ophelia!”

Noticing that he wasn’t taking her seriously, Ophelia sneered and aimed a kick at his groin. “Ah!” The usually refined and respectable Cullen immediately bent over, clearly embarrassed.

Chapter 26: Overly Confident Man

“Do you think I’m joking?” She folded her arms and looked down at him. “Why do you think that just because you want something, I have to give it to you? I can be generous and give away shares, but that’s for my husband. What does it have to do with you, loser? Stay away from me in the future, got it? If not, I’ll beat you until you beg me to stop.”

She started to walk away. In severe pain, Cullen quickly grabbed her, his forehead drenched in cold sweat, clenching his teeth. “Ophelia, I know you’re just acting out of spite, but my patience is limited! Don’t expect me to forgive you if you give up this opportunity. Now, you’d better…”