Hiding Behind Her Superficiality novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Pretending
Early in the following day, Callum appeared in the ward again.
“I feel flattered that the workaholic, Mr. Callum Winthrop, has disregarded his work just to visit me.” With a smile, Elspeth peeled off another wedge of orange. “The fruits are sweet. Would you like some?” After saying that, she plucked a banana and gave it to him.
Not caring about her outstretched hand, he looked at her with cold eyes. “My dad made me do this. Don’t overthink it.”
“You don’t want it? Fine.”
“I have a question for you.” With pursed lips, he thought about it for a moment and could not help but ask, “You actually broke my record at Death Canyon. How did a small-town girl like you get started on racing?”
This woman is too mysterious. She clearly has an ordinary background, but why does she always do something unexpected?
Elspeth laughed. “It’s just something I do to pass the time. Why do you care?”
Slightly shocked, Callum looked at her relaxed state and let his imagination run wild. Not only is she friends with Harper Summerfield and knows Albert Beischel, she also plays the piano well and even broke the record I set at Death Canyon. This ordinary small-town girl is not ordinary at all.
“Elspeth, I hope you don’t bear any ill intentions.” Those words sounded like a warning, but he could feel a gentle tug at his heart.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A series of orderly knocks woke him from his thoughts.
After announcing her presence, Ophelia pushed the door open and entered. When she saw the two being alone, jealousy surged inside her, but she maintained her smile and went forward to pull Elspeth’s hand. “Why do you look so pale? Are you badly hurt?”
Her grip was very tight and Elspeth smiled while looking in Callum’s direction. Then, she immediately understood the situation. A woman’s jealousy is so terrifying.
“I’m fine. Also, Miss Fleming, you don’t have to grab my hand so tightly. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you hate me.” She simultaneously pointed out Ophelia’s thoughts upon retrieving her hand.
Ophelia’s face immediately fell, but she managed to keep her smile again. “I’m just worried for you. Mr. Winthrop would be devastated if something happened to you.”
With a smile on her face, Elspeth retorted, “You haven’t even married into the Winthrop Family, yet you’re already worried about Mr. Winthrop’s feelings. How thoughtful of you.”
Isn’t she just a pick-me girl? Who doesn’t know how to do that?
“Elspeth, you seem to not like me…” While Ophelia spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.
“Miss Fleming, aren’t you being a little too presumptuous by saying I don’t like you because of a few words I said?” It was rare for her to meet a woman who liked putting on airs like Ophelia.
“I only wanted to visit you, but I didn’t expect you to say such hurtful words. I guess I’m bothering you here. I’d better leave.” She then stood up and acted like she was about to do so.
Noticing the situation, Callum frowned and criticized, “Elspeth, watch your words. Ophelia is only here to visit you.”
“I don’t need her to do that. I’m not feeling well, so Mr. Winthrop and Miss Fleming, please don’t disturb my rest.” Elspeth immediately sent them away so that she would not have to bear the anger.
When Callum noticed her slightly angry countenance, his eyes darkened a little.
“Okay. We’ll be leaving now. Have a good rest, Elspeth.” Since Ophelia wanted to drive them apart so desperately, she hugged his arm and left the room after getting the ‘permission’.
Once the two left and the world was quiet once again, Elspeth found that she could not calm herself down as she suddenly realized that she had forgotten something important.
Only a few people knew that she was at the college with Max, so how did that crazy fan know her exact location and find the perfect time to kidnap her?
A brave thought appeared in her head, so she called to ask the police to question that crazy fan. Soon, the name ‘Ophelia Fleming’ appeared on her phone and her eyes immediately turned ice cold.
Just as she had expected, the person behind this was that pick-me girl! Again and again, you’ve crossed my line, Ophelia. We shall see how this goes.
Days later, Fleming Group inexplicably met with a financial crisis and some of the company’s higher-ups began selling their shares.
Since they could not hold on anymore, they requested the Winthrop Family for help to save their company. Margot was worried about her future daughter-in-law, so she asked Callum to assist her and the Fleming Group’s crisis was finally over.
Due to her family matters, Ophelia did not have the time to visit the hospital and pretend to be nice. In other words, Elspeth could finally get some peace and quiet.
Today, Arthur came to do his rounds and did a checkup on her condition. Subsequently, he removed his stethoscope and grinned. “You made a fast recovery. You can be discharged today.”
“Alright. Thanks.”
“Is Callum not coming today?”
Thanks to the Fleming Group’s crisis, he had not visited her for days nor was she not looking forward to it either. She continued to eat her breakfast while casually replying, “That’s his business. You’ve asked the wrong person.”
Not expecting the answer, Arthur chuckled and changed the topic. “So, after five compulsory dates with us, who are you most satisfied with?”
With a raised eyebrow, she laughed. “Well, who do you want me to say?”
She speaks so well-roundedly. This is not going to be easy. Then, he smiled amicably and responded, “Since you’ve put it that way, I won’t bombard you with any more questions. After all, I’m not interested in you.” After saying that, he turned around and left.
By the time it was afternoon, Callum still had not shown up, so Elspeth discharged herself and rode the Winthrops’ car back home. Since her body was almost fully healed and staying home all day was not an ideal option, Theodore suggested letting her work at Winthrop Group, which received different responses.
Max’s reaction was the loudest. He glanced at Elspeth, who was calmly drinking tea on the couch, and reasoned, “She’s just a woman from a small town. How can she possibly know how to run a company? Dad, you’re overestimating her!”
“Do you think you can, then?” Elspeth found it funny to see him acting so irritated.
“The bar is low. Of course, I’d be better than you in any way!”
Meanwhile, Callum remained silent as he watched the scenario. He had a feeling that she would bring him some sort of surprise.
Theodore had a stern expression as he looked at Max with eyes filled with displeasure. “Even though she came from a small town, you shouldn’t throw sarcastic remarks at her. There’s no dinner for you tonight. Head back to your room and reflect on what you’ve done!”
On the other hand, since Blake had accepted her microphone, he was naturally nicer to her. He even helped put in a good word for her. “I think we should let her give it a try. Otherwise, she’d only be staying at home all day, which is quite boring.”
It was then that Callum finally spoke up, “Let her try as an intern. If she can’t do it well, we’ll find something else for her.”
The final decision had been made and nothing could change that decision.