Chapter 4

Blake paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, the sound rumbling in his chest. He placed his large hand on Ophelia's head and ruffled her hair. "Get some sleep."

After he left and closed the door, Ophelia slowly turned her head to look at herself in the vanity mirror. Her mouth gradually settled into a more neutral expression.

Ophelia's eyes were now dark and intense, a stark contrast to her earlier carefree demeanor.

She reached up to smooth out the bangs Blake had messed up. Hearing the sound of a car pulling away downstairs, she slowly got out of bed and got dressed.

Taking advantage of a moment when the house staff were distracted, Ophelia stealthily avoided all the security cameras and quietly slipped out of Pine Ridge Estate.

She had barely taken a few steps when a familiar voice sounded in her ear.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Ophelia froze, her foot suspended awkwardly in mid-air, unable to move forward or back.

Turning slowly, she saw Blake leaning casually against the large iron gate of Pine Ridge Estate, arms crossed, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he watched her.

A storm was brewing in Blake's eyes.

Ophelia swallowed hard, trying to calm her racing heart.

The next moment, with Blake's stunned expression fixed on her, she suddenly spread her arms like wings.

She ran around the garden once, then darted up to Blake, sniffing him like a puppy.

"I'm a big bat!"

"If you don't leave, I'll suck your blood!"

Lucas, who was returning from outside, froze at this statement. "Mr. Weston... the car's fixed. We can head out now."

Blake didn't respond, his gaze lingering on Ophelia for a long time.

Then, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms, striding back into the house. The staff watched, stunned.

In her room, Ophelia tried to struggle, but Blake held her down with one hand, pinning her to the bed.

The door closed with a thud, making Ophelia tremble as she looked at Blake in shock.

The dangerous man narrowed his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, staring at her silently, making her feel like prey under a hunter's gaze.

He grasped her chin, tilting it slightly, his deep voice murmuring in her ear.

"Try any more tricks, and I'll send you straight back to Oak Haven Retreat. Got it?" Blake's fingers slid from her chin to her neck, lingering on the necklace.

The necklace was specially designed by Oak Haven Retreat for monitoring and locating patients.

Ophelia had long since tampered with its programming, making it no different from any ordinary necklace now.

"Got it." Ophelia tried to respond with a voice that was purely fearful but innocent. Blake didn't press further.

Seeing her compliance, Blake ruffled her hair again. "Stay put. I'll be back soon, and I want to see you here."

Without waiting for a response, he left the villa.

Ophelia stood quietly by the bed for a long time, only moving when she was sure Blake had left. She walked to the balcony.

Holding a box of matches used for lighting candles in Pine Ridge Estate, Ophelia's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

She struck a match and tossed it down.

The bushes began to burn, the flames turning a bright orange. Satisfied, Ophelia smoothed her bangs and screamed loudly.

Her scream attracted many staff members, who rushed to extinguish the fire, using pool water and fire extinguishers in a panic.

Ophelia glanced at the chaos, quickly returned to her room, grabbed a small bag, packed essential items, and ran out, avoiding the cameras.

After leaving Pine Ridge Estate, Ophelia headed to Harold Plaza.

Standing at the base of the towering building, she looked up. It was one of the tallest in the city, second only to Weston Tower, with over a hundred floors.

Inside the glass revolving doors, the spacious and luxurious interior was visible.

Ophelia entered and headed straight for the elevators, but a few security guards quickly approached and blocked her path. "Excuse me, Miss. Are you an employee here? You seem unfamiliar."

Ignoring them, Ophelia kept walking.

A guard reached to grab her shoulder, but Ophelia flipped him over, slamming him to the ground.

Angry, the guards tried to restrain her, and more joined in.

Surrounded by guards, Ophelia found herself trapped.

The commotion attracted attention, and people in the lobby began filming and taking pictures.

Outside Harold Plaza, a luxurious Bentley pulled up, and Felix stepped out, his custom-made shoes hitting the pavement, followed by his long, elegant legs.

Felix Hall stood by the car, his posture regal, like a prince from a fairy tale.

His assistant quickly closed the car door and followed him, organizing the day's schedule.

Felix entered the revolving doors and stopped, noticing the crowd nearby.

The assistant, surprised to see so many people, looked in the same direction and shivered.

When did all these people gather?

Felix's brow furrowed slightly, showing his displeasure.

The assistant hurried to disperse the crowd.

The guards were still struggling with Ophelia, having realized she was a formidable opponent despite her delicate appearance.

They circled her, looking for an opening, but suddenly a deep voice sounded from behind.

"What's going on?"

The familiar voice made the guards stiffen and stand at attention, saluting Felix.

"Mr. Hall! We're trying to remove this miss. She didn't make an appointment but insists on seeing you and tried to rush to your office."

Felix turned and saw Ophelia partially obscured by the guards, his eyes widening in surprise.

The guards and the assistant watched as their usually composed boss, Felix, the CEO of Harold Plaza, hurriedly approached Ophelia.

"Ms. Hayes?"

Ophelia looked at Felix with a helpless expression, shrugging. "I managed to get out and remembered you might be able to help me. But your staff stopped me."

Felix glanced at the guards and said lightly, "You don't need to come back tomorrow."