Chapter 28: Her Husband

Ophelia’s grip on the tissue suddenly tightened. Those around heard Elizabeth’s words and showed expressions of understanding. She scoffed. “No wonder she reacted so strongly when we mentioned Mr. Winford. Turns out her husband is the same!”

“So this is Ophelia? I’ve heard of her husband. They say he’s a man who can’t show his face in public, too afraid to even leave the house!”

“No wonder she reacted so fiercely to our words!”

Ophelia’s anger flared. She grabbed a large champagne glass beside her and decisively poured it over the speakers. “Ah!”

The group was drenched, their makeup smudged all over their faces.

“Ophelia! How dare you pour wine over us!”

Ophelia curled her lips in a cold smile, slightly raising her chin. “Don’t my actions already show how daring I am? Go on, keep talking; let’s see if I dare again!”

They screamed, “How dare you be so bold in front of Madam Pruitt! Do you know where you are? This is the Pruitt’s place!”

Elizabeth’s face turned dark with anger. “Just as I thought, you’re nothing but a girl from a lowly background, with absolutely no manners at all!”

Chapter 28: Her Husband

Ophelia didn’t hold back, retorting sharply. “You’re nothing but a despicable mistress, incapable of distinguishing right from wrong in what you say or do.”

Everyone showed shocked expressions. No one expected Ophelia to be so bold as to speak rudely, even to Elizabeth. Didn’t Ophelia know the status of the Pruitt family? This was the Pruitt’s place, connected to Winford. Those present, though they had been talking about Winford, still held his status and power in great awe. Had Ophelia gone insane?

Elizabeth was so angry her face turned ashen, her chest heaving violently, nearly fainting. She pointed at Ophelia, enraged. “Tie her up! I’m going to teach her some real manners!”

Just as she finished, an angry voice came. “What’s happening?”

It was Arturo. He was furious. Winford had rarely come, and this banquet had turned into such a mess. Especially when he heard his mother’s voice involved, he was seething with anger. He knew his mother always had a tendency to cause trouble, but the current situation was entirely different from before; she was now an esteemed lady of the prestigious Pruitt family and should preserve her dignity.

Arturo’s arrival instantly silenced the noise, with all eyes turning towards the voice. To their surprise, Arturo wasn’t alone. Beside him was a man in a wheelchair. He had a handsome face and a noble demeanor, exuding a commanding presence even from his wheelchair. Anyone standing before him would instinctively want to bow in reverence and dare not look down upon him.

What shocked and bewildered them was Arturo’s respectful attitude towards this man, even bordering on fawning. Who was this man?

As they speculated, they heard Arturo, bowing and scraping, say to the man, “Mr. Winford, my mother is a bit straightforward. Please forgive her…”

Mr. Winford? This name stunned everyone. It was common knowledge that the only person Arturo would address so respectfully as “Mr. Winford” was the legendary Winford himself!

The gossipers’ eyes widened. Could this really be Winford? Weren’t they told Winford was old and ugly?

Realizing this, they all paled, their eyes darting around in panic, trying to retreat.

Chapter 20: Her Husband

They had only dared to whisper gossip behind Winford’s back. In front of him, they wouldn’t dare utter a word no matter what. Who knew Winford would suddenly show up? Fortunately, Winford hadn’t heard their earlier comments; only that little girl, Ophelia, had.

Everyone secretly sighed in relief.

“Mr. Winford, this despicable girl insulted you. I was just about to teach her a lesson!” Elizabeth, glared at by Arturo, quickly accused after realizing it.

Winford’s indifferent face showed no emotion. He glanced at Ophelia and said slowly, “She insulted me?”

“Yes! She knew we were family yet pointed her finger at me and scolded me. Isn’t that an insult to you?” Elizabeth said angrily.

“Mr. Winford, you mustn’t let her off. Otherwise, people might think you are a weak person who can be offended at will.”

Ophelia had been glad to see Winford arrive and was about to go over when she heard this. She rolled her eyes and spoke sarcastically, “Elizabeth, don’t forget you’re just a mistress. When did you start representing Mr. Winford’s honor? Everyone here knows you’re just a nobody in the Pruitt family. Who do you think you are?”

Everyone knew Elizabeth was a mistress, but the Pruitt family in Kingchester was influential, and even Arturo, the illegitimate child, could behave arrogantly in Minston. So even if people knew, who dared to mention it? But unexpectedly, Ophelia, with her boldness, not only spoke up but repeatedly humiliated Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was seething with anger. “You…”

Cullen happened to arrive and, supporting his grandmother, reprimanded harshly. “Ophelia! Mind your attitude before you speak! This is the Pruitt’s place! Who gave you the nerve to talk to my grandmother like that?” His superior tone made it seem like his grandmother’s status was extremely important.

“How did I talk to your grandmother? Aren’t the things I said true?”

As for who gave her the nerve, Ophelia glanced at her husband, her eyes sparkling with a playful thought. “Here is the Pruitt’s place, but so what? With my husband here, I can say whatever I want.”

Upon hearing this, Cullen sneered contemptuously, “Your husband? As far as I know, your husband is just a man with some money, not even worthy of polishing my shoes!”

Cullen spoke arrogantly, but after his words fell, Ophelia didn’t show any sign of embarrassment or anger. Instead, she gave him a smile as if she were gloating. Without hesitation, she turned her head. “Hubby, Cullen says you’re not even worthy of polishing his shoes.”

The voice of accusation was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. Then, everyone was surprised. Hubby? Was Ophelia’s husband here?

Immediately, many people looked at Ophelia. The next moment, something unexpected happened. Ophelia, with her dress fluttering, ran towards Winford! The hall suddenly became very quiet. The first sound to break the silence was Graham’s cold voice, and he was standing next to Winford.

“Mr. Cullen, you just said that Mr. Winford is not even worthy of polishing your shoes?”

Cullen’s face turned pale. “No, that’s not what I meant, Uncle Winford. I didn’t realize that you are her husband…”

Winford, however, didn’t pay attention to Cullen, and he didn’t even look at him. Winford was looking at Ophelia, who had come to his side. “Did you wander around in this area for a while?”

Seeing his deep eyes, Ophelia looked away guiltily, knowing her small tricks couldn’t escape his attention. “I’m not just wandering around, hubby. I heard someone insulted you,” she said angrily, pointing at Cullen.

This time, Winford finally looked at Cullen. With just one glance, Cullen’s legs felt weak, and he almost knelt down. “Uncle Winford, I really didn’t mean to offend you. I didn’t know her husband she was talking about was you!”