Chapter 130 The Old Lady's Mistake
The presence of old lady Abbott startled not just Ophelia but also Dovie and Niamh.
What was even more shocking was that old lady Abbott seemed to know Ophelia.
"Ma'am, what brings you here?" Dovie rose rapidly to greet her.
Ophelia was equally baffled. Was the elderly lady there to see Dovie?
What was old lady Abbott's background that she knew Ms. Parks?
Holding on to Ophelia's hand, old lady Abbott explained, "Oh, you're Dovie. I'm here to see my grandson's wife. Your daughter is quite the looker – so pretty. I like Niamh. I was wondering, when is Niamh going to marry my grandson? I am eager to hold my great-grandchildren."
At that moment, Ophelia realized old lady Abbott had mistaken her for someone else.
Catching on, Dovie quickly understood that old lady Abbott's dementia had led to a mix-up.
"Ma'am, this isn't my daughter, this is one of my employees. Over there, that's my daughter, Niamh," Dovie explained patiently.
Dovie waved at Niamh, beckoning her over to greet the old lady.
Niamh walked over and politely called out, "Grandma."
Old lady Abbott's gaze swept over Niamh indifferently, her withered hand still clutching Ophelia without letting go, smiling, "Dovie, you're playing with me, aren't you? Are you testing me to see if I recognize Niamh? I haven't lost my marbles yet. This one here is Niamh. Look at how much she resembles her grandfather, especially the nose and eyes."
Hearing old lady Abbott say this, Dovie subconsciously glanced at Ophelia and indeed, started to see a resemblance to her late father in her.
Old lady Abbott added, "Look at Niamh, she also looks like you, how could I get it wrong?"
Ophelia felt awkward and let out a strained chuckle, "Granny, you've got the wrong person."
Niamh, noticing old lady Abbott mistaking Ophelia for her, wasn't pleased, and shot Ophelia an unfriendly glare.
Ophelia felt wronged inside. It wasn't her fault the elderly lady had dementia and confused their identities.
This was the first time Dovie had heard someone say Ophelia looked like her, although she herself had thought so even before this instance. Some of Ophelia's behaviors and ways of doing things did seem familiar, and that's why she appreciated Ophelia.
However, Dovie was certain that Niamh was her daughter and old lady Abbott was simply muddled.
Dovie didn't ponder further and said with a laugh, "Granny, you're really mistaken. This is Ophelia, one of my employees, and that is my daughter, Niamh."
Dovie explained again.
Old lady Abbott persisted, "No, this one is Niamh. Dovie, how can you be more muddled than me, confusing your own daughter?"
Dovie felt embarrassed but didn't want to argue with old lady Abbott, who was clearly dealing with memory issues. Niamh, however, was irritated and said to Ophelia, "What are you waiting for? Get out."
Ophelia pulled her hand back from the old woman's grasp and said to Dovie, "Ms. Parks, I'll step out then."
Dovie nodded, and Ophelia left the room.
Old lady Abbott was reluctant to part ways and wanted to chase after Ophelia. Dovie held her back, "Ma'am, did you let Celiaknow you were coming here? They'll be worried with you running around like this."
"I snuck out," old lady Abbott confessed. "If my grandson won't bring Niamh back to me, then I'm going to make the trip myself."
"You're just like a child, aren't you?" Dovie said with a chuckle. "I'm going to call them right now so they don't worry." Turning to Niamh, she added, "You keep Grandma Abbott company for a bit."
Niamh was reluctant and murmured under her breath, "Mom, Grandma Abbott can barely recognize anyone with her dementia. How could she mistake Ophelia for me? She is just an orphan."
Dovie's expression soured. "Niamh, how can you speak like that? She's your elder, and you should show some respect. Besides, Ophelia is impressive and excels at her job. If only you could be half as accomplished as Ophelia, I'd be content."
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