Chapter 241: Find A Solution Immediately
Ophelia stormed into the grand salon, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor. The lingering scent of expensive perfume and the faint echo of hushed voices filled the air, remnants of the unwelcome visitors who had dared to trespass on her family’s privacy. Her mother, Faye, sat in her usual armchair, her gaze distant, her expression fragile.
"Mother!" Ophelia’s voice rang out, sharp and accusatory. "How could you allow those... those people into this house? Talking about our family business, our personal affairs, with complete strangers!"
Faye’s eyes fluttered, her gaze shifting to Ophelia, her expression momentarily clearing. "Ophelia?" she whispered, her voice frail. "Is that you, Ophelia?"
"Yes, Mother, it is me," Ophelia said, her voice laced with exasperation. "And I am appalled that you would allow such a breach of decorum. This is our home, not some public forum for gossip and speculation."
Faye’s expression shifted, her eyes clouding over again. "They were talking about Maeve," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. "They said... they said she had a daughter, I... have a granddaughter."
Ophelia’s breath hitched. She had feared as much. Those women, those interlopers, were trying to exploit her mother’s fragile state, to manipulate her into validating their fabricated claims. And if her mother got involved it could become messy.
"They are lying, Mother," Ophelia said, her voice firm and reassuring. "They were trying to deceive you. They have no right to be here."
Faye’s gaze drifted away, her mind wandering back into the labyrinth of her memories. Ophelia sighed, her frustration mounting. Dealing with her mother’s erratic behavior was becoming increasingly difficult, especially now that these opportunists were trying to exploit her vulnerability.
"Mother," Ophelia said, her voice laced with a hint of impatience, "you must remember that you cannot just trust everyone who comes to this house. Some people have... ulterior motives."