Chapter 42


    Chapter 42 Scathing Tirade


    Osborne couldn’t help butugh, sneering. “Wesley, I called you out by name, and you still have the


    nerve to ask who thepdog is? Did you leave your brain at home? The way you grovel, isn’t that


    exactly what apdog does?


    “And I was clearly insulting you, so how did it be an insult to Ms. Radcliffe in your twisted


    mind? Do you think Ms. Radcliffecks intelligence like you?


    “Vulgar? So what if I’m vulgar? What are you going to do? Bite me?”


    Osborne’s face contorted in disgust as he unleashed a scathing tirade against Wesley, leaving both


    Wesley and Ophelia stunned. Wesley, in particr, was seething with anger, wanting to retort and


    insult Osborne back.


    But ncing at rissa, he restrained himself.


    He thought, “I endure! I must maintain myposure! I absolutely cannot act as recklessly as


    Osborne, who’s like a rabid dog, embarrassing himself in front of Ms. Radcliffe!”


    Clutching his teeth together, Wesley simmered with suppressed


    rage.


    Little did he know, rissa was observing the situation with curiosity, her beautiful eyes reflecting


    genuine interest in


    Chapter 42 Scathing Tirade Osborne.


    2/5


    For her, the typical ttery she received from people like Wesley was nothing new. Many individuals


    with even more prestigious. backgrounds than Wesley went to greater lengths to tter her.


    However, encountering someone like Osborne, who dared to use harshnguage and insult others


    in her presence, was entirely novel to her.


    This novelty intrigued rissa.


    She found Osborne’s unfiltered reactions refreshing and authentic – a stark contrast to the


    restrained gentlemanly facades put on by others when challenged.


    In fact, she felt a surge of fondness towards Osborne rather than revulsion at his “vulgarity“.


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    If Wesley knew, he would probably be fuming with jealousy.


    s, he remained unaware of rissa’s thoughts, still convinced that Osborne’s crude words had


    turned her against Osborne.


    As Osborne looked back at him icily, Wesley returned to his seat, ring at Osborne.


    Ignoring Wesley as if he didn’t exist, Osborne mulled over how to broach the subject of bing


    rissa’s bodyguard.


    Soon, the formal lunch began.


    Chapter 42 Scathing Tirade


    3/5


    Ophelia and Wesley continued their efforts to impress rissa. Ophelia demonstrated more tact


    than Wesley, wisely avoiding provoking Osborne.


    After their ttery session, rissa surprisingly warmed up to Ophelia, even exchanging contact


    information with her.


    This thrilled Ophelia, fueling her efforts to please even more.


    Osborne remained mostly silent, observing Ophelia’s performance with detached amusement.


    To his surprise, his proud ex–wife was now bending over backward to please someone else.


    “Indeed, the power of influence!” Osborne thought inwardly, studying rissa with a watchful eye.


    He noticed that, contrary to her cool exterior, she was unexpectedly approachable.


    Although of noble status, she wasn’t aloof.


    However, a sense of distance always lingered around her.


    As the banquet neared its end, Osborne knew he couldn’t wait any longer.


    “It’s time to act!”


    Just as he prepared to make a move, rissa said first, “Mr. Augustine, did you bring that painting


    with you? Could I see it


    Chapter 42 Scathing Tirade


    again?”


    Osborne froze, halting his preparations and retrieving the artwork.


    4/5


    rissa took it carefully as if holding the most precious treasure, her beautiful eyes filled with


    nostalgia and tenderness.


    This surprised Ophelia.


    To her, the painting seemed quite ordinary, so much so that even knowing rissa painted it, she


    didn’t know how to praise


    1. it.


    After a moment of hesitation, Ophelia asked, “Ms. Radcliffe, does this painting hold any special


    meaning for you? You seem to care a lot about it.”


    rissa smiled faintly and nodded.


    “It does have a special meaning for me because it’s the first painting I ever did. The content on it


    represents the most cherished memory of my life.”


    Before Ophelia could ask more, rissa continued, “I was only five years old that year. I was born


    into the Radcliffe family, and while my parents and elders loved me dearly, I felt like a canary


    trapped in a cage.


    “I had to learn so many things, piano, violin, variousnguages, all of which I didn’t enjoy. In reality,


    I just wanted to be like other children, with many friends my age, free to y in the


    Chapter 42 Scathing Tirade


    fields without a care in the world.


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    “That day, my father told me he had hired a famous painter to teach me how to paint, and I couldn’t


    take it anymore. So, I sneaked out.”


    As she spoke, rissa seemed lost in her memories.


    Ophelia, Wesley, and Osborne remained silent, listening intently.


    “The escape that day is a memory I can never forget. It was unforgettable because I was in danger.


    I got lost in a dark alley, terrified.


    “But then, a group of terrifying wolves appeared out of nowhere, snarling at me with sharp teeth. I


    was scared, crying, frozen in fear, thinking I was going to die.”


    Ophelia gasped, eximing, “Wolves?


    “The wolves in the painting?”