Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 173

I walked right past her and left.

"Don't go! How can you be so heartless?" Ophelia probably didn't expect me to ignore her and leave. 

She stomped her foot and hurried to block my way. "I... I'm really hungry. I haven't eaten in almost two days. Please help me out. When I have money, I'll pay you back double, no, ten times!"

I wasn't about to be tempted by her promise of ten times the money and bring more trouble upon myself.

"With you, forget ten times, even getting back the same amount is doubtful. Who knows how long that would take," Paula said, having overheard enough.

Ophelia looked embarrassed but still shook her head. "No, I will make money soon, I promise."

In just a few days, I noticed Paula had lost quite a bit of weight. Her once round face was now noticeably thinner.

Paula scrutinized her and frowned. "If I remember correctly, the Bennett family kicked you out but didn't take your jewelry, bags, or clothes. How did you end up like this, unable to afford a meal?"

Ophelia lowered her eyes and mumbled, "My parents took everything."

Paula and I exchanged a surprised glance.

Given Ophelia's personality, she didn't seem like someone who would easily let others take her things.

Paula couldn't help but voice my thoughts. "You let your parents take your stuff? Are they more difficult than you?" This was a jab at Ophelia.

Ophelia looked awkward. "If I could get my things back, I wouldn't be in such a dire situation asking for your help. I'm really hungry. Can't you help me out?"

Her eyes were big and pleading, like a puppy's, making it hard not to feel sorry for her. But knowing how troublesome she could be, I turned away to avoid softening.

After thinking for a moment, I said, "I passed a dessert shop on my way here that's hiring. It's not far. As long as you have hands, you can work and not starve."

"No way, I can't do that kind of work. If I have to work, it should at least be in an office!"

Paula couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think you're still who you used to be? Money earned with your own hands has no status distinction. Go if you want, starve if you don't. It's your choice."

I understood that Ophelia, having fallen from grace, found it hard to adjust. But Paula was right. If she couldn't face reality, she deserved no sympathy.

Ophelia looked at me, then at Paula, realizing we had no intention of helping her. She finally said, "If I have to work, I'll go to a café. At least I won't get covered in flour and look a mess."

"Suit yourself," Paula said indifferently, linking her arm with mine as we walked away.

We went to a private restaurant and ordered a lot of our favorite dishes.

While waiting for the food, Paula couldn't help but wonder, "Do you think Ophelia will really work at a café?"

"Maybe. She was genuinely hungry. While we were standing there, I saw her clutching her stomach and swallowing several times at the smell from the nearby restaurant. She probably hasn't eaten in two days."

"She used to be quite annoying, but just now, saying she'd work at a café, she seemed a bit cute," Paula remarked.

I thought about it. "Yeah, she is kinda pitiful."

Her family situation probably wasn't great either. This made me think of Quinlan. She worked so hard, burdened by her family. Her parents were like vampires, draining her dry.

I had been so busy lately that I forgot to check in with her. I wondered how she was doing at the magazine.

Wasn't Quinlan supposed to interview Paula? I thought about it and mentioned Quinlan.

"Marlowe may seem capable, but from my dealings with her, I know she got where she is by flattering the rich and powerful," Paula said with disdain. "Do you know how she treated me the first time we met? She probably thought I was just a small-time lawyer and didn't take me seriously. She even implied that I got my success because of my looks, basically saying I slept my way to the top."

"I didn't let her get away with it and snapped back. When she found out who I was, she changed her tune so fast, trying to please me." Paula's achievements were earned through her hard work. How could that not make someone angry?

Marlowe's attitude changed just because Paula was the Ellis family's daughter. While others might take pride in that, Paula hated being treated differently because of it. No wonder she didn't like Marlowe.

Naturally, I sided with Paula. I trusted her judgment. If she didn't like someone, I wouldn't either. Besides, Marlowe had indeed made things difficult for Quinlan.

Paula leaned in closer, lowering her voice mysteriously. "But do you know who was the first to interview Christopher?"

Since she brought up Marlowe, I had a guess. "Marlowe?"

Then I couldn't help but wonder. "I don't remember Christopher ever giving an interview."

Since I was joining Summit Innovations Group, I had researched the company and its CEO, Christopher. If he had given an interview, there should be a record, but I found none. Wasn't that contradictory?

Paula thought for a moment before explaining. "This happened when Christopher first became CEO of Summit Innovations Group, years ago. He was young and handsome, making waves in Starlight City. Every magazine wanted to interview him, but he declined them all. Marlowe wasn't the editor of Echo Magazine back then, just a junior reporter at Vivid Views Magazine."

"But she managed to interview Christopher. With that interview, she made a name for herself and demanded to be made editor of Vivid Views Magazine."

I was wide-eyed with surprise. I didn't expect Marlowe to be so bold, making such demands back then. "And? Did Vivid Views Magazine agree? If they did, she wouldn't have moved to Echo Magazine as editor, right?"