Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

The man was stumped, and his heart skipped a beat when the benign young woman’s gaze at him turned hostile the next second. “What do you want?”

“Nothing, of course.”

Sure, that was what she said, but Elspeth still rotated her wrist while approaching the man.

“I’m warning you, you better not touch me. I’m—” the man cautioned in panic and nearly revealed his identity, but he quickly shut up, his face dark.

“You’re what?” Elspeth was rendered stupefied, and during the moment she zoned out, the man’s countenance shifted multitudes. “No, nothing. I’m no one. Alright, what do you propose?”

Lo and behold, Elspeth clasped his wrist the next second, and it was only now that he realized her grip on him half an hour ago was already considered loose. Now, not only could he feel a sense of restraint but even intimidation.

At that, he gulped, suddenly realizing this young lady wasn’t someone he could mess with.

“Do as I say. Be a good doctor and hand me the herbs I want.”

“Ptui! Dream on!” the man cussed.

“Right now, you’re in my hands, and there are only the two of us here.” Elspeth shrugged. It seemed that she wasn’t afraid at all. “What makes you think I will listen to you?”

The man sneered in response. “I’m warning you—there’s a trap in here…”

At that, Elspeth moved to his back and yanked the button out when she felt it by his feet. Then, she dangled it in front of him and asked him with feigned innocence and shock. “What trap? You don’t mean this thing, do you?”

The man’s smile disappeared instantly, replaced with disbelief. “How did you know that was it?!”

He had never told anyone—even his mentee—about the trap in here. So how was it possible for a young woman, who had just entered his dispensary in less than half an hour, to know about the trap he had set up?!

grew by the second, but Elspeth made nothing of his paranoia and only asked with discontent. “You

young woman standing in front of him wasn’t only artful but also

too devious! Just like Schwartz, that old

grumbling, “Can you let go of me first? I’ll try and find you whatever it is

She pulled a rope out and tied him

see.” Elspeth smiled at him with a tilted head before disappearing into the dispensary

then minutes later, she came back out with a bag—from who knew where she got—full

she failed to hold back and guffawed when she saw his grim look.

up. Then again, he had lost to her, so he couldn’t flip out. But of course, his countenance had

came for. Can you release me

you’ll

certainly catch her if she released him now. He should wait until his subordinate

smile at him, then waltzed out of the medicinal herb dispensary, leaving the man shouting

how he rued

man came in a couple of minutes later, only to be freaked out by what

for the foreign man to untie

the man. “Why are you tied up, Doctor? I thought you were looking for me? The lady

glared disappointingly at the foreign man before saying,

“What?”

not whom she appears to be. She’s a skilled fighter and is even well-versed in traditional medicine. Too

bad she was Schwartz’s

unfortunate even at

man’s words. “What do you say, then, Doctor? Should I

“First, you’re no match for her. Second, I will beat you into a pulp if you dare ruin such a