Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Feeling the wound on his arm, Callum smiled softly. “I don’t know. Alright now, do you need other herbs?” he asked, shifting the topic because he didn’t want to bring up the past.

Scratching her chin, Elspeth said thoughtfully, “I still need a 500-year-old ginkgo, but it can only be bought from the auction. We’ll have to wait until evening.”

He scanned around. “Are you hungry? We’ll grab a bite if you’re hungry.”

Similar to a small commercial street, the underground black market had all sorts of facilities within, including food, drinks, and entertainment, but the prices were sky-high. Checking the menu in front of her, Elspeth was flabbergasted to see that just a plate of pasta was priced at 100 dollars.

She didn’t even bat an eyelid when paying one million for herbs but felt it was daylight robbery when the pasta cost one hundred. Bearing the pain, she ordered the pasta. Just then, she saw a familiar person at the next table when she returned the menu.

Isn’t that… Arthur? Isn’t he in Damoria? What’s he doing here? she wondered.

However, the important thing now was he shouldn’t discover them here. In a hurry, she came up with an idea and fished out two pairs of sunglasses from her bag. After putting on a pair, she shoved the other into Callum’s hand.

“Arthur is around. Put it on quickly.”

Callum understood it and put the sunglasses on obediently. “Why is he around here?” he whispered.

Actually, he had caught sight of Arthur earlier, too, but he wasn’t sure. It seemed like he had been right all along.

“What else could it be? Most probably, he’s also here for the auction. Do you think he’s here for the ginkgo, too?”

At the thought of this, Elspeth’s heart raced nervously.

“It’s okay. The Winthrops are loaded.”

“It’s not about the money. If Arthur is up to some hanky-panky, it will be tough to get the ginkgo this time.”

She thought about it, and all of a sudden, she came up with a great plan.

At the auction, she looked around, and as she expected, she saw Arthur seated not far away with his head lowered and reading something. The almost unnoticeable smile on his lips made her worry, though.

was uninterested in the items that were auctioned in the beginning, Callum was rather engrossed in the

different from usual, and that

it was time for the grand

ginkgo leaves locked in a glass incubator, Elspeth

ginkgo. Starting price at 1.5

just waiting for this, and he raised his paddle decisively, calling the

time he called a price, Callum would follow closely and call a price as

like he was making enemies with Arthur

and Callum was wearing sunglasses.

stared in their direction thoughtfully before

others were bidding as well, but soon, many gave up as the price went up. In the end, only Arthur and Callum

Arthur called directly,

over the value of the ginkgo, and Elspeth

her words, he raised his paddle.

is there anyone higher than 200

one final thought and decided to give

going twice. 200 million going

I had known this would happen, I would have just blackmailed

Callum stroked her head. “It’s okay. I’m

have money, too. But some things are not worth the money, and we

spendthrift. I wonder who is so unlucky to be his wife, she grumbled silently. Oh, I’m

to her and said in a serious tone, “Here’s the

“Deal!”

her. When they were at the door, their way was blocked by a

Didn’t you mention before that

put up an arrogant stance as he stared at Callum, which seemed