Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 138

I put on a cold face and shot back, "What are you trying to say, Mrs. Bennett? Are you calling me ugly?"

"No need to be so formal, just call me Ophelia. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're ugly. I'm just trying to be kind. We're the same kind of people, so I understand how you feel. You've been hurt, and maybe men still feel sorry for you now, but men get bored easily. I've been through it, and we're about the same age, so I just want to help you."

She wasn't afraid of offending me with her words.

Even though she said we were the same, her high head and the look in her eyes said otherwise.

I replied indifferently, "Mrs. Bennett, you should worry more about your own family. As for my scar, the doctor said it would fade over time and won't leave a mark, so there's no need for a beauty salon. Besides, I rely on my abilities for my job, not my looks, so I don't care about anyone's pity."

I made my point clear.

Ophelia's eyes flashed with coldness when she saw I wasn't giving her any respect, but she was good at hiding her emotions.

She managed to hold back her anger and replied with a light laugh, "I understand! Ms. Turner, you have to say you have abilities in public. I'm just trying to have a private conversation with you. I've been through it, so I understand. But since I'm being so honest, you shouldn't hide anything either."

She was really persistent with her views. I knew that because she had a dirty mind, she saw everything as dirty. There was no point in arguing.

"Mrs. Bennett, you were so insistent on seeing me. Is it because of the Horizon Innovations acquisition?"

Ophelia nodded. "It seems you know why I'm here. Yes, I want you to persuade Mr. Collins to agree to the Quantum Dynamics Corporation merger."

"Then you must have found the wrong person. Mr. Collins makes his own decisions. As a secretary, I can't influence him. He has his own judgment. If it doesn't meet the evaluation, it won't pass." I stood firm in my stance.

This finally made Ophelia a bit angry. She looked at me with a slightly cold expression. "Ms. Turner, don't underestimate yourself. If you speak up, I don't believe Mr. Collins won't listen."

I frowned and retorted coldly, "Mrs. Bennett, I'm letting this slide because of Quantum Dynamics Corporation. What do you mean by 'if I speak up'? Mr. Collins and I have a professional relationship. Please take back your words and apologize."

Hearing that I wanted her to apologize, Ophelia's face twisted slightly. She glared at me with a mocking look. "Melinda, stop pretending to be so noble. Everyone knows what kind of person you are. If Mr. Collins has a bit of interest in you, you really think you're something special! I'm giving you a chance to expand your network and get to know me. Don't be ungrateful."

She continued, "Everyone knows that Mr. Collins only has men around him. Now that you're the only woman who suddenly became his closest secretary, how could it not be a mistress relationship? Don't take everyone for a fool."

"I advise you to listen to my suggestion. It won't do you any harm. Otherwise, with your family background and divorced status, if I say a word at the Collins Villa, you might not only be kicked out of the company but also never set foot in the Collins Villa again." She became more and more arrogant and threatening.

The Collins family was a long-standing family that had stood the test of time. Generally, such families required a suitable match to marry Christopher.

If I were just a mistress, I might be afraid, but I was not!

Christopher's parents had some connections with my family, so they might not make things difficult for me. However, Christopher's grandfather was still in charge, and he might get angry.

But all of this was based on the assumption that I was a woman who wanted to marry him by enchanting him.

I looked at her coldly. "I have a clear conscience, so go ahead and say whatever you want. I'm not afraid! Your threats have no effect on me."

My gaze was firm and sharp as I stared at Ophelia.

Ophelia's expression changed, seemingly not expecting me to be so tough.

Finally, she seemed to lose a bit of her composure under my gaze, gripping her spoon tightly.

Then she said, "What will it take for you to agree to persuade Mr. Collins?"

She was indeed a formidable person. Even though she was furious, she quickly adjusted her thinking and didn't take it personally. She even managed to smile at me.

I didn't answer her question. Instead, I curiously asked another, "Why are you so determined to have Quantum Dynamics Corporation acquire Horizon Innovations? If Horizon Innovations doesn't pass the evaluation, it doesn't make sense to merge. As the wife of Quantum Dynamics Corporation's president, you should know what's best for the company."

"I can't tell you the reason, but I must ensure Quantum Dynamics Corporation acquires Horizon Innovations! That's not something you should worry about, right?" Ophelia still thought I was a mistress.

Some people had such a persistent belief because they themselves succeeded using such means and thought it was the right way.

I didn't respond and took a few bites of the dessert in front of me, ready to leave. There was no point in continuing the conversation.

But Ophelia misunderstood, thinking I was waiting for her to name a price, so she tapped the table four times.

"This amount, won't you consider it? It's easier money than anything else." Ophelia hinted.

I remembered scenes from novels where a casual check would be in the seven or eight figures. So I blurted out, "Forty million dollars?"

Ophelia's spoon clinked against her cup at my words. Her face darkened. "Ms. Turner, are you mocking me? Or are you just ungrateful?"

I thought she had that much money. I felt a bit wronged because I didn't mean to say that. I really thought it was that amount.

Of course, I was angrier at her calling me ungrateful, just like the middle-aged man she sent in the morning. No wonder they were the same kind of people.

I coldly replied, "If you hadn't said that shameless thing, I wouldn't have remembered. You have no sincerity, asking for a favor while acting all high and mighty, just like that man. It's disgusting! You don't even know how to apologize and still expect me to do you a favor. It's revolting!"

I was really angry, so I didn't hold back. I thought I was being polite by not throwing milk at her.

"Melinda!" Ophelia was furious, looking like she was ready to beat me.

I didn't bother arguing with her and got up to leave.

But before I left, I had a mischievous thought to get back at her and the middle-aged man from the morning. "Why are you so fierce? Come and beat me! If you hurt me, I'll go complain. Mr. Bennett might have some influence in Starlight City, but you know the Collins family is powerful. Mr. Collins isn't someone you can easily offend. If he finds out you're spreading rumors about him and me, do you think Mr. Bennett can withstand Mr. Collins' anger?"

Ophelia pointed at my face, but she couldn't say a word.

I almost wanted to take a picture of her twisted face and send it to Paula for a laugh. But I held back and didn't do anything to further provoke her.