Revenge Of The Jilted Bride (Ophelia)
Jilted Bride 234

Chapter 234

The lounge wasn't just occupied by Matthew and two designers The spacious, cream-colored armchairs were arranged in a roundtable style, and no fewer than ten people were seated arouid them. Among them was Matthew, the president of the association, Ophelia had met him more than six months ago when he served as a judge at a designer competition she participated in.

The rest of the designers were also familiar to Ophelia.

Two of them, in particular, stood out, were Madeline Ximena, aenowned domestic designer, and Summer, an internationally acclaimed name.

Phoebe glanced sideways at Ophelia with a look that seemed to say, "See? I wasn't lying, was I?"

"Phoebe, who is this you've brought with you? Her outfit is just too casual," a female designer said, her gaze sweeping over Ophelia from head to toe. She snorted lightly and let out a disdainful chuckle.

The design world valued fashion above all else. Everyone here was dressed in luxury brand outfits, each costing at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.

And then there was Ophelia. She wore an ordinary blue plaid wornen's suit, with a white collar showing underneath and a small black tie around her neck.

Her crisp and professional look clashed completely with the ostentatious styles of everyone else present.

Ophelia quickly scanned the room. There was only one seat left. It was obvious Phoebe had known this beforehand.

Her intentions were clear to Ophelia.

Phoebe maintained a gracious smile and walked a few steps forward with Ophelia.

"Let me introduce..." she began, but before she could finish, Summer stood up from his seat and walked over to Ophelia with a delighted expression, grabbing both of her arms.

"Darling, it is you! I thought I was seeing things. You haven't forgotten me, have you?" Summer's voice was delicate, and he was dressed in a medieval aristocratic gown, his hair dyed silver gray, with expertly applied makeup. "Of course not." Ophelia's smile held a trace of awkwardness. After all, years ago, when Ophelia first met Summer, he had

been a man.

And Summer still was a man, though his style had always leaned toward the androgynous and unapologetically self-expressive.

The others knew very few people could get Summer to stand and greet them.

Their initial contemptuous and mocking looks toward Ophelia shifted to ones of curiosity and assessment.

Summer waved Madeline over. "Madeline, this is the one I told you about the incredibly talented young lady I adore. I absolutely love her designs!"

"Darling, when are you going to design an evening gown tailored to my body? I'd love you forever if you did." Summer looked at Ophelia.

Ophelia wasn't fond of designers who put on a fake flamboyant act, but Summer was different. "Of course. I'll make sure to send you one soon," she promised. "Oh, darling, you're too kind! I adore you!" Summer laughed.

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III

11:06 Mon, Nov 25 BB

Chapter 234

Phoebe stood frozen nearby, completely ignored.

1877%

The female designer who had spoken earlier was also stunned. Everyone knew Summer was famously stingy with praise and wasn't close to anyone.

None of them had ever seen him this openly warm before, let alone smiling so much. And all of this was directed at a young lady.

Clearly, she wasn't someone to underestimate.

Even Madeline who was usually aloof and unapproachable expressed unusual friendliness toward Ophelia. "I know her. She's the founder of La Reverie, very well-known." It was only then that the others realized Ophelia's true identity.

Those who had initially hoped to watch her embarrass herself were now practically bowing down to her.

"You... you all know each other?" Phoebe stepped forward with a gentle smile.

Summer, however, clearly disliked the sudden interruption. "And who are you? You brought her here, so your job is done. Leave. There's nothing else for you to do." Summer had effectively demoted Phoebe to a mere errand girl.

Phoebe's face turned gloomy.

What are you standing there for? Go already!" Summer shot her an irritated look, scanning her from head to toe, then turned to Ophelia with a curious expression. "Is she a friend of yours?"

His gaze clearly conveyed his disdain as he wondered, 'Surely, with your taste, you wouldn't be friends with someone this tacky?'

"Not exactly, but don't you know her? She's the chief designer at Mystique Moon," Ophelia explained, her expression genuinely innocent.

The mention of Mystique Moon made Phoebe's heart skip a beat, and she swallowed hard.

"When did Mystique Moon get a new chief designer? How come I didn't know about this? Wasn't it someone else before? Did she get plastic surgery?" Summer, notorious in the industry for his sharp tongue, rarely held back when speaking. Phoebe wanted to explain but didn't know how to start.

After all, the title of the Mystique Moon designer was something she'd paid for herself.

At that moment, Matthew, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "We're all here to exchange and learn, Summer. Don't be too stingy."

"I only talk to people I think are worth my time." Summer retorted, disregarding even Matthew's authority. "The standards for designers these days are so low, anyone and everyone can slip into the design world now. Humph..." That comment was clearly aimed at Phoebe.

Phoebe's cheeks flushed bright red. This was definitely not how she had imagined things would play out.

Ophelia turned her head, her clear, bright eyes locking onto Phoebe's with a piercing gaze.

'Looks like you've just shot yourself in the foot, Ophelia thought

"Alright, darling, why don't you sit over here beside me?" Summer's words were followed by the other designers quickly

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11:06 MON, NOV 20

Chapter 234

vacating their seats near him.

Ophelia took a seat beside Summer, and now all the chairs were occupied.

Phoebe stood there, her face clouded with frustration.

Ophelia could easily tell what Phoebe had been trying to do from the moment they walked in.

She'd planned to leave Ophelia without a seat, hoping to make her uncomfortable.

But, as it turned out, it was Phoebe who ended up in an awkward position.

Matthew glanced over at Phoebe, standing there awkwardly. "How about this, Phoebe? You can either have a waiter bring over a chair for you, or you can go out and mingle with the other designers. What do you think?" Phoebe, feeling utterly defeated, clutched her chest as though it were tightening. She forced a smile, trying to save her reputation.

With a stiff expression, she signaled for a waiter to bring over an out-of-place chair.

Sitting down, Phoebe felt even more out of place.

Since the meeting was about design, Phoebe understood nothing, only watching Ophelia as she confidently discussed the topic. Ophelia shone like the moon, while Phoebe felt invisible.

This roundtable meeting's primary purpose was to select the vice president of the Design Association.

The selection process was likely going to come from this group.

During the anonymous voting, a waiter arrived with coffee and small snacks for each person.

"Wow... the afternoon tea is really something today," Summer said, already parched. He took a sip of the coffee and delicately picked up a matcha-flavored pastry with his pinky raised. "Of course, it's all healthy snacks. Enjoy yourselves," Matthew added casually.

A few other designers nodded in agreement.

After casting her vote, Ophelia handed it over to the waiter.

She picked up her own cup of coffee, its rich aroma filling the air, and took a small sip. Her delicate, slender fingers held the lid of the cup with grace.

Noticing a lingering gaze, Ophelia turned her head. Her sharp eyes met Phoebe's in a precise, almost cutting way.

Phoebe, clearly caught off guard by the sudden attention, quickly averted her gaze.

She realized that Ophelia was as sharp as a hawk.

Ophelia lowered her eyes, briefly glancing at the coffee in her cup.

The rich taste of the coffee slid smoothly down her throat.

Phoebe watched her throat move as she swallowed, a flash of malice flickering in her eyes.

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