Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

As soon as Callum finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

As for Emma, her heart was throbbing in pain as she cried. “Even if you don’t like me anymore, Callum,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. “We were once in love. Why are you being so cruel to me?”

Elspeth could not contain her sarcasm in response to Emma’s dishonest behavior. “You brought up your previous relationship with him while his current girlfriend was present. Three guesses as to why he was so vicious.”

What else is there to say besides being disgusted?

“I—” Emma ducked her head down, hiding the intense fury burning in her eyes. While she would love to slap Elspeth right then and there, everyone was watching. She had to make everyone think Elspeth was the bully.

However, to her surprise, Arthur decided to step up and calm everyone down. “It’s all in the past, so let’s leave it be,” he said with a smile. “After all, Callum is dating Elspeth now, and Emma is happy for them.”

Emma nodded with a look of gratitude on her face.

“Dad’s birthday party is happening in a few days,” he continued. “I plan on returning to do my duties as his son.”

Max’s hands clenched into fists as he retorted, “Return? Arthur, how can you say that without embarrassment? I have yet to deal with you for how badly you angered dad last time. You have the nerve to offer yourself up!”

Edmund shot Max a look as he coldly said, “Why do you care about someone like that? His skin was thicker than a city’s defenses. Who knows what he actually thinks about all this?”

Evidently, none of the Winthrops liked Arthur anymore.

However, Arthur acted as though he heard nothing as his smile remained gentle and calm. “Then, it’s settled. If that’s all, I have to go. See you the day after tomorrow.” Afterward, he stood up and left.

The other Winthrop men were only relaxed after he left the room.

To regain her dignity, Emma passed a plate of food to Max. “Don’t blank out. Here, I think you love this dish the most.”

“Thank you, sis,” he replied without thinking.

brightened. She then shot Elspeth a smug look as if it were

Edmund glared at Max. “What did

made a mistake. “I’m sorry

that Emma

to others. If memory serves me right, I am paying for the meal. If I don’t like someone, I

the message, she would have lived under a rock for

pay now, so I think it

before asking him with a raised eyebrow, “Do you have a problem with paying when I

all,” he calmly answered after wiping his mouth. Callum’s answer was

had stayed at the stable longer, she might die from anger and frustration. So, she rose to her feet and uttered, “If

languidly said. “Still,

when she heard that. It caught her by surprise, almost making her trip and fall. She is so rude and disrespectful! Hence,

Bam!

and extended foot saved Emma from hitting the

among us, but you don’t need to stand on ceremony. You are a celebrity. Your face cannot withstand

With great effort, she crawled up from the floor and tidied up her hair

“Excuse me.”

even more hurried than Arthur’s, giving

waited for her to leave before lowering his head in apology. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean

waved the apology away. “It’s fine. You’re still a

hard. “I’m not a

she then asked, staring at

a long time since she last talked to Yelena.

of hers isn’t actually her cousin, yet he’s constantly hovering around her door. Unable to deal

together?” Elspeth was