Chapter 12 Winford’s Gift
“Who upset you?” Winford asked.
Ophelia glanced at him, whining silently.
Then she answered, “No one.”
Watching her walk away, Winford hesitated for a long time before asking Graham aside, “Why is Ophelia upset?”
Graham was slightly surprised, thinking, “Seriously? Since when does Mr. Pruitt care about anyone?
“And how would I know? I’m not her husband.”
Though he thought so, he didn’t dare to say it out loud.
Pretending he was experienced, he said, “Sometimes reasons aren’t important. You just need to cheer her up.”
Pondering, Winford figured his words made sense. “How?”
Graham racked his brains and suddenly thought of something.
“Mrs. Pruitt is a student at Ventura University, right? Since they’ve been offering to send you roses recently, why not have them delivered to her?”
Ventura University was a prestigious institution with a hundred-year history, and it was also known for its sea of roses, which always attracted countless tourists when they bloomed in summer. Among them grew rare varieties cultivated by the university itself, and these exclusive roses would be cut and gifted as honors.
Of course, not just anyone could receive these roses. Since there were so few cuttings, the receivers were either famous alumni or outstanding students, and most of them took pride in having them.
Ventura University had been reaching out to Winford, inviting him to an event, but Winford wasn’t quite interested, leaving Graham to deal with them.
Yesterday, Graham received a call from the university, asking about Winford’s preferred varieties. When others could only accept what was sent to them, Winford could name any variety he wanted.
Yet, though the roses meant a great honor to others, Winford didn’t take them seriously at all, and of course, so did Graham. He replied that flowers weren’t to Winford’s liking.”
Graham suggested, “Since Mrs. Pruitt is a student at Ventura University, my guess is, she’s interested in the roses. Mr. Pruitt, it’ll be a big surprise if you give her the roses.”
After thinking about it for a while, Winford nodded. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Graham nodded and called Ventura University’s coordinator right away.
The coordinator was very delighted and said, “Of course. It’s our honor that Mr. Pruitt likes our roses. We’ll deliver them now!”
Ophelia didn’t know anything about the surprise. She had received a call from Erin and was on the phone now.
Erin’s birthday was next week, and there would be a party. Erin invited her and probed, “Maybe Mr. Pruitt will have some time to attend, too?”
Ophelia almost burst out laughing.
Erin knew exactly how influential Winford was.
Those big shots in Minston couldn’t have the privilege of inviting him to their birthdays. What made Erin think she could?
“I don’t think so,” Ophelia said straightforwardly.
Erin said, “Why? Didn’t you tell him? I know that given our family’s status, we aren’t qualified enough to have him, but you’re his wife now…”
“I told him already, of course,” Ophelia interrupted. “He said he’d be there for my mom’s birthday. But you’re not my mom, aren’t you?”
The smile on Erin’s face froze.
Her expression darkened as soon as she hung up the phone, feeling deeply irritated. She wondered if Ophelia had said so on purpose.
She thought, “Am I overthinking it? If it were in the past, the old Ophelia I raised would never have spoken to me like this. She was so stupid. But it seems something has changed. Ever since she married Winford, she has changed! That damned girl!”
Ophelia was in her bedroom in Sunset Vista.
After hanging up, she smiled sarcastically as her gaze fell on the phone screen.
Meanwhile, Elva was in the guest bedroom not far away from her.
She was engaging passionately in Ventura University’s freshman group chat, blending in effortlessly while enjoying the attention.
Walking to the windows, she took a photo of the garden downstairs and posted it in the group chat.
Elva: “The sun is scorching. I don’t wanna step out at all.”
In the photo were all sorts of precious flowers and plants, which were apparently taken care of meticulously. Coupled with the size, layout, and facilities of the garden, anyone could tell Elva’s “family” was rich.
Everyone else exclaimed.
Jenny: “Wow! That’s amazing! Elva, your family’s garden is gorgeous. Where do you live? Can we hang out there sometime in the future?”
Being envied and fawned upon, Elva felt great.
After quite a while, the others gradually calmed down, and the subject was changed.
Nikki: “The uni is doing its rose giveaway again this year. A senior I know got some. Gee, I’m green with envy. But I don’t think I ever get to be so lucky. My grades are so poor.”
John: “It’s not entirely depending on grades. If you come from money or power, they’ll send roses to you, too. Some freshmen have already received some.”
Jenny: “Seriously? Elva, are you one of them? If so, could I have one stem? Just one will be enough. Pretty please?”
Being tagged, Elva didn’t reply. She tossed her phone away and then snatched it back after a second, wanting to say that they were making a fuss over some roses and that she could have anything she wanted.
Just then, Madeline knocked on the door. “Elva, someone from Ventura University sent roses here. Are they for you?”
Elva’s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes lit up. She sprung to her feet, saying loudly, “Where?”
She then ran downstairs and indeed saw roses there. However, the person who brought them over didn’t say they were for her. Instead, he said, “We hope Mr. Pruitt likes them.”
Elva asked, “Mr. Pruitt wants them?”
The man nodded. “Yes.”
Thrilled, Madeline nudged Elva. “I bet these are for you! No one else here has ties to Ventura University.”
Elva’s heart was racing.
Madeline continued, “Mr. Pruitt promised to award you after you were admitted to Ventura University, and that bitch snatched the second bedroom away from you. This must be Mr. Pruitt’s way of making it up to you.”
Overjoyed, Elva reached out, saying to the man, “Mr. Pruitt isn’t here. I’ll take the roses.”
As the man left, the servants around fawned on Elva with smiles, saying, “See? Mr. Pruitt cares about you a lot, Elva. How thoughtful of him to make it up to you in this way.”
“So true. He gave the flowers to you instead of Mrs. Pruitt. You do know what this means, right?”
Someone said bluntly, “You know what? I think in no time, we’ll be addressing Elva as Mrs. Pruitt.”
Blushing, Elva felt both complacent and shy. Lifting her chin, she said, “Enough, guys. Go back to work.”
She skipped up the stairs with the roses in her arms.
Once back in her room, she immediately took photos of the bouquet from different angles and posted them to the group chat.
Elva: “Check these out!”
Nikki: “Holy crap! That’s a huge bouquet! It’s at least three times bigger than what my senior has received! And, if I’m right, those are the rarest variety!”
Jenny: “Elva, please! They are so pretty! Can I have a stem? You’re the best!”
Elva didn’t know anything about roses, but their excitement alone was enough to make her feel good.
Elva: “Really? These roses are different from others? I had no idea.”
Pleased, she agreed readily to Jenny’s request.
Meanwhile, Ophelia received a call from Winford.
He said, “Have you received my gift?”
