Chapter 136

Gavin smiled at Alice and said, "Let's eat first. Don't worry about the school issue; the news will die down in a few days. Focus on preparing for your finals!"

Alice obediently nodded, making James, who was watching from the side, almost grit his teeth. As the former youngest in the family, he was now frustrated that Alice, who was both younger and higher in the family hierarchy, had taken that position.

At this moment, Felix seemed to notice James's emotional change and deliberately put some meat into James's bowl, silently expressing his care and comfort.

In the following days, the media's attention on Alice gradually waned. Whenever reporters attempted to approach her for an interview, they were invariably blocked by bodyguards in black suits.

Now she was recognized as David's wife by the Tudor family. Although she received praise, there were also people gossiping behind her back.

The once ostracized and isolated Alice had suddenly become the center of attention. This dramatic change made her feel somewhat out of place.

"How does it feel to go from Cinderella to a princess?" After finishing the first exam, Esme packed up her things and ran to Alice's side to ask.

Alice glanced at Esme and said flatly, "Are you here to mock me too?"

"How could I!" Esme took out her phone and showed her a few new posts. "New posts, all titled 'Cinderella becomes a princess,' but most of them are mocking you, saying you look down on others now that you're mighty overnight."

Esme put her phone back in her pocket and walked out of the exam hall shoulder to shoulder with Alice.

On the way, many classmates from the same department came to chat with her, asking about exam questions, where to have lunch, or holiday plans. Esme stood by, laughing secretly, with no intention of helping.

Alice glared at her. Usually, Esme paid so much attention to her, but at critical moments, she became a bystander. After finally dealing with everyone, Alice was sweating all over.

Esme laughed heartlessly. "Alice, you're so cute! The fierce image that no one dared to mess with suddenly became flustered, just like a little kitten! "

As soon as she finished speaking, her cheek was pinched, and her smile instantly froze on her face.

"Esme, let's temporarily break up until the end of the final exams." Alice said.

Esme was stunned, confused. "No way. Alice, I was wrong! Don't leave me!" She quickly ran after Alice, holding her hand all the way to the school gate.

Esme sent Alice off in the car. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly spotted Ophelia, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and immediately ran over to greet her warmly.

"Hey! Ophelia, long time no see!"

Ophelia's face was gloomy, and the sudden voice startled her. She instinctively took a few steps back, looking at Esme warily.

Esme was a bit puzzled. "Ophelia, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm fine." Ophelia quickly shook her head, bypassed Esme, and hurried away.

Watching Ophelia's departing figure, Esme frowned. She thought, 'Something feels off. Could Ophelia's odd family be back again?'

Esme irritably rubbed her hair, hesitating all the way home about whether or not to help.

At the same time, Ophelia left the school gate and unusually took a taxi to the city center, checking the time all the way and looking a bit anxious.

Finally arriving at her destination, Ophelia hurriedly took money out of her bag and handed it to the driver before rushing into the café. She quickly scanned the room and finally found the person waiting for her by the window.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Ophelia hurried over, apologizing repeatedly.

"It's okay, I just got here too." The stylishly dressed Lila smiled and withdrew her gaze, pushing a piece of cake and hot cocoa in front of Ophelia. "You must be hungry, right? Have some to fill your stomach, and then I'll take you to dinner."

Ophelia sat nervously on the sofa, took a sip of the hot cocoa, and couldn't help but sneak a few glances at Lila.

Ophelia first met her at the supermarket where she worked part-time. At that time, she was checking out when Lila suddenly asked her, "Are you Ophelia?"

She nodded in surprise, and Lila smiled at her, handed her a business card, and gently said, "Hello, I'm Lila."

And that was how they met.

Ophelia didn't understand what Lila wanted from her. She was just a student who needed to work to support herself, living in a shabby rental house. Unless Lila had ulterior motives.

Lila propped her chin with her hand, watching Ophelia finish the cake, and said, "What do you want to eat later? Steak? Barbecue? Or something else? You name it, my treat. Don't feel burdened because I have something important to tell you."

Ophelia opened her mouth but couldn't speak for a long time, feeling at a loss due to Lila's strong presence.

"Then steak it is." Lila stood up, walked to Ophelia's side, picked up her bag, and, like a mature sister, linked arms with her. "Let's go."

At the restaurant, Ophelia looked around, constantly checking her outfit, looking very uneasy.

Lila ordered two steaks and other food. After the waiter left, she got to the point. "Do you remember what I told you last time?"

Ophelia was drawn in by Lila's words, and after a few seconds of daze, she nodded and said, "I remember, but..." She hesitated, cautiously asking, "Ms. Green, can you really find my biological parents?"

"Of course." Lila smiled, took a document from her bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it to Ophelia. "You were adopted, right? This is your info from the orphanage. There were no cameras back then, so we couldn't find out who brought you there. But the old director remembered some things. I asked him specifically, and he said an old man brought you in. I think it might have been your grandfather."

"My grandfather?" Ophelia's voice trembled, her hands unconsciously gripping her pants under the table. "Why did he send me to the orphanage? Was it because I was just a girl?"

Lila shook her head. "I'm not sure, but there are some clues. I think we'll find info on your biological parents soon. I'm telling you this first so you don't think I'm a fraud."

"How could I!" Ophelia quickly explained, "You're helping me find my family. I'm grateful!""

Ophelia thought that if she could really find her biological parents, she could leave her current home and get away from her disgusting foster parents. She was so grateful that she didn't know how to repay this kindness!

"Then I'll continue to investigate for you. I'll let you know if there are any new developments." Lila smiled at Ophelia, thinking that Ophelia was really naive. She was so happy with a little benefit and so obedient.

Lila had already gathered enough information to bring Alice down. But that wasn't enough for her. She wanted to make sure Alice could never rise again.