Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

“Really? You’re going over to Joneson Residence today?”

Elspeth was so excited that she grabbed Arthur’s hand. All along, she thought she would have to wait for much longer as she didn’t think Arthur would agree to do so this quickly.

“That’s right. If I don’t go, someone might end up destroying my house.” Arthur glanced down at their clasped hands and carefully withdrew his. His tone and manner seemed disdainful.

“Who are you calling a nuisance?”

Elspeth fished a cherry tomato out of the salad bowl and tossed it into her mouth in a huff. However, since he was willing to help her rescue her mother, she forgave him, albeit reluctantly. “Do you need me to head over to Joneson Residence with you today?”

Arthur set down his spatula and eyed her as she fiddled inside the salad bowl with her bare hand. “You? Are you even considering going over with me?” he remarked distastefully. “Aren’t you afraid that you’ll get caught and be locked up again?”

“Hah!”

Elspeth stuffed the final mouthful of salad into her mouth. After recalling Michael’s refusal to stop coming after her, she gave up on the idea. “You’d better go by yourself, then.”

Arthur grilled the last steak and cracked some black pepper over the top before serving it up on the dining table. “Go and get the fried eggs from the kitchen. We can have breakfast first.”

Elspeth was a little nonplussed to hear Arthur instructing her so casually. I’m not your maid, so why must I listen to you?

She stubbornly turned away and pretended she didn’t hear him.

“Hurry up and bring it over, or else, you won’t be getting breakfast.”

“Can’t you do it…”

Elspeth gritted her teeth. She was going to protest, but she remembered that her mother would be coming over soon, and if she didn’t have breakfast, her mother would be worried and upset, so she begrudgingly brought the eggs over from the kitchen.

Arthur placed one of the fried eggs on Elspeth’s plate and said, “What a good girl. Here’s a fried egg as your reward.”

“Why are you talking to me like that, Arthur?”

eyed the fried egg. His attitude

doing things that would rile him

gotten someone to teach her a lesson by now, but this time, he didn’t do anything

How… strange!

I talk to you now?” Arthur raised his

close either, so don’t act as if we know

avoid hearing any other kind of suggestive comments from him, she avoided his gaze and focused

so hard that

getting engaged soon, so what’s wrong with an engaged couple like us talking to each other

How nauseating.

to force a smile for the sake of getting what she wanted. “Right. Nothing’s wrong. Anyway, let’s drop this subject.

his eyebrow.

How can you say I’m using you?” Elspeth finished her food and wiped her mouth elegantly with a tissue before saying with a smile,

table and brought the dishes back

peculiar feeling rose in Arthur’s chest as he watched

noticed that she’s not as loathsome as

…

avoid delaying the trip abroad, Arthur headed out to Joneson

just “lost” his granddaughter, so he was visibly haggard. He even had more gray hairs

saying that you want to take Helena

she

and I’ll get it delivered to our country.” Michael rubbed his temples.

available abroad. It won’t be easy to set these things up elsewhere. Even if you bring in the medical professionals and the equipment, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to achieve the optimum results.” Arthur smiled faintly and took a sip of tea. “Why would so many people head abroad for treatment if they could’ve easily gotten their treatment in the

point, so Michael’s frown slowly disappeared. “Can you keep my

you keep my daughter safe for me if I hand her over

not. I’m just a doctor, not a bodyguard. I can’t

keep her safe, why should I let her go?” Michael fumed as he slammed his hand on the

have an excellent candidate who