Chapter 3

In the blink of an eye, the day of Old Mr. Harrison's fiftieth birthday had arrived.

Perhaps, at this age, Old Mr. Harrison didn't want to celebrate extravagantly like in previous years. He desired a cozy family gathering with a good meal. Thus, he decided to organize a family feast at the estate.

As the titular stepdaughter of Old Mr. Harrison, Oprah was also considered part of the Harrison family. However, she had no interest in joining the festivities. She was compelled to attend due to Burgess's threat.

It wasn't until after seven in the evening that Oprah reluctantly arrived at the Harrison house. As she entered, she heard her name being softly called, "Oprah."

Oprah lifted her head to look, and there stood a well-dressed woman who had already made her way over, holding her hand affectionately. She said, "Oprah, it's been three years since we last saw each other, remember? I've missed you. Why haven't you contacted me?"

Oprah stared at the woman in front of her, momentarily stunned, until she finally recognized her as her former best friend, Zoey Nicholas. They used to gossip together about how annoying Burgess was.

But later, Burgess went abroad, and Zoey followed suit.

Until then, Oprah discovered that Zoey had always harbored a secret love for Burgess.

Zoey took the initiative to become Oprah's best friend to get closer to Burgess. After all, she was Burgess's titular sister.

But when Zoey realized she was no longer in use, she stopped paying attention to Oprah. She even complained to their mutual friends about Oprah's vanity, attempting to discredit her in front of Burgess.

Zoey did all this to please Burgess, knowing that he despised Oprah.

Upon hearing those words, Oprah never contacted Zoey again.

And now, after all this time, Zoey dared to proclaim that Oprah hadn't kept in touch. She was two-faced, pretending to be friendly while scheming behind Oprah's back.

Oprah sneered inwardly, pushed away Zoey's hand, and casually remarked, "Wasn't it you who didn't answer my calls?"

Zoey let out a sigh and displayed a remorseful expression. "I lost my phone before and got a new SIM card. Maybe you didn't remember my new number."

"That's because you didn't give me your new number," Oprah coldly exposed her lie.

Zoey forced a laugh, a hint of embarrassment and anger briefly flashing across her face. She quickly concealed it and continued to smile warmly at Oprah.

"What a lovely girl," Roxanne said, pulling Zoey to her side as though Zoey were her daughter. "It would be wonderful if you could marry into the Harrison family."

Zoey blushed and glanced at Burgess. "Auntie, you must be kidding."

"She's not," Old Mr. Harrison suddenly said, looking at Burgess. "Burgess, you know how Zoey feels about you..."

"Dad," Burgess interrupted him expressionlessly, perhaps aware of what Old Mr. Harrison was about to say. "I have no plans to get married at the moment."

Old Mr. Harrison glared at him unhappily while Burgess maintained his indifferent expression.

Zoey's face soured, but she forced a smile. "Uncle, truthfully, I'm like Burgess. I have no plans to get married for the time being. I still want a few more years of freedom as a single woman."

Oprah couldn't help but laugh.

So, Zoey had pursued Burgess for so long, yet she hadn't even secured the status of his girlfriend. And now, she dared to attend the Harrison family banquet. Her audacity knew no bounds.

As Oprah revealed her satisfaction, she suddenly noticed Zoey staring at her and asking with a smile, "Oprah, I heard your boyfriend cheated on you, didn't he?"

Oprah stared back at Zoey's smile and instinctively felt ill intentions behind it. She calmly replied, "Do you have a problem?"

Zoey's smile froze for a moment, and after a few seconds, she resumed her cheerful expression. "Oprah, you're my best friend. I always hope for your happiness."

Before Oprah could respond, Zoey continued, "The best way to move on from a past relationship is to embark on a new romance as soon as possible. I have some very suitable friends. Should I introduce someone to you?"

The person Zoey referred to was Alfred Jeffery, the eldest son of the Jeffery family. He was charming, gentle, considerate, and quite romantic, typically the epitome of what women often call Prince Charming.

Oprah looked at Zoey coldly. "If Mr. Jeffery is so outstanding, why don't you marry him?"

"Because I believe he's more suited to you. He will surely bring you happiness." Zoey's words sounded sincere, as if she genuinely wished for Oprah's happiness.

Oprah was uninterested.

On the other hand, Roxanne was swayed and hastily said, "Oprah, why don't you meet Mr. Alfred when you have time, have a meal together, and become friends first?"

Oprah was about to refuse when she happened to catch a mocking expression on Burgess's face. He seemed to ridicule Roxanne for eagerly selling her daughter and seeking status.

Burgess leisurely said, "The Jeffery family has always had high standards. I don't think Oprah and Alfred make a good match."

Upon hearing this, Oprah knew that Burgess was mocking her humble background, implying that she was unworthy of a prestigious family like Jeffery's. In his eyes, she lacked refinement.

She couldn't tolerate Burgess's condescending attitude.

Therefore, without hesitation, Oprah sneered, "Well, I'd like to try it and see if Alfred and I are truly compatible!"

Burgess's expression darkened. "You'll regret it!"

"What do I have to regret?" Oprah stood up and shrugged indifferently. "At worst, Alfred will break up with me, and then you can mock me just as you wish."

Burgess narrowed his eyes, giving her a cold and displeased look as if she had provoked him.

Roxanne quickly exchanged glances with Oprah, silently signaling her, "Oprah, Burgess is your brother. No matter what, he's doing it for your good. Don't always try to provoke him. Apologize to your brother and be more respectful from now on."

Oprah felt a knot in her chest. Unsure of what to do, she turned her head and walked away.

But Burgess grabbed her arm.

Oprah couldn't shake him off. Old Mr. Harrison said, "Alright, alright, let's go eat first."

The family dinner was tasteless.

Oprah hastily took a few bites, wished Old Mr. Harrison a happy birthday, and quickly left his house.

She didn't want to stay there for another moment.

The following day, Zoey enthusiastically invited Oprah and Alfred to a charming café and introduced them to each other.

After Zoey left, Alfred smiled and said to Oprah, "I never imagined that I would be sitting here, having a blind date with a beautiful girl like you."

His smile eased Oprah's embarrassment.

Oprah glanced at Alfred and found him as elegant and charming as Zoey had described.

So she playfully asked, "Alfred, you shouldn't have trouble finding a girlfriend, right? Why did you agree to this blind date with me?"

"I could turn the same question back at you."

They smiled at each other and decided not to dwell on that topic. Instead, they discussed other things that interested them.

At noon, Oprah had lunch with him. In the afternoon, they went to see a movie. In the evening, Alfred accompanied her back to her apartment, and they exchanged contact details on WhatsApp.

From then on, Alfred regularly invited Oprah to have meals together, watch movies, visit art exhibitions, and take strolls in the park... And each time they met, Alfred would bring her a thoughtful gift.

Oprah didn't refuse these gestures.

She found solace in being cared for and appreciated. It made her feel wanted rather than being treated as an object to please others.

Half a month later, on Valentine's Day, Oprah and Alfred officially announced they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

In the evening on the same day, Alfred called Oprah and said he had a prior engagement and couldn't have dinner with her. Therefore, Oprah went straight back to her apartment after work.

Before sleeping, Oprah received another unfamiliar text message, "Do you desire men that much?"