Hiding Behind Her Superficiality novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Elspeth Is Anny
“Do you have any proof that she plagiarized someone else’s work?”
Gritting her teeth, Ava submitted the evidence she had compiled while Elspeth narrowed her eyes at the scene. So, this is her plan…
“The creativity of this design comes from Anny’s work. She’s a famous college student from abroad. This woman who came from the countryside clearly plagiarized her work!”
One was from a prestigious college while the other was a country bumpkin, so everyone could distinguish the situation at this point.
“That’s some acting skill Elspeth has!”
“It’s fine if she can’t do it, but why does she have to plagiarize?”
“How can someone like her stay in the company?”
Discussions broke out throughout the room, but Callum avoided everyone’s gaze and looked at the accused in question. “Elspeth, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Looking into those smiling eyes, he had an inexplicable sense of calmness. It was as if he was sure that she had done nothing wrong in this matter. Still, he wanted to hear her argument before anything.
Smiling, she nodded. “You’re right. I did borrow some inspiration, but I didn’t expect you to be so meticulous.”
Ava thought she was nearing success and started speaking without any restraint, “Mr. Winthrop, not only is this country bumpkin free-riding, she plagiarized someone else’s work! Someone like her shouldn’t stay in the company, so I suggest that you fire her!”
Meanwhile, Callum lightly furrowed his brows while waiting for Elspeth to speak.
“Then, what if… I’m Anny?”
That had Ava bursting out in laughter. “You’re Anny? Stop joking, Elspeth. If you’re Anny, I’ll immediately tender my resignation and hand over my position to you!” How could Anny, the genius who finished her double major at an early age, be willing to become an ordinary employee after returning from her studies?
“Are you sure about that?” Elspeth asked slowly.
Feeling that she had the upper hand, Ava raised her chin and confirmed, “Yes, I’m positive!”
After that, Elspeth went on stage, took out her phone to connect it to the big screen, and made a video call. Seconds later, a kind-looking, old foreigner appeared on the screen. That old man was none other than Professor Andrew, who had won two Nobel Prizes!
How did Elspeth know such a person?
“Professor, I’m sorry to disturb you in such a way.” Elspeth smiled to show her apology.
On the other hand, Professor Andrew did not seem to mind as he became full of smiles after seeing her face. “Anny, it’s been a long while since you last contacted me. I’m so delighted to receive your call that I no longer feel like doing my experiments.”
“Oh, no, Professor. Your experiments need you!”
While the two were happily chatting in Edanian, the crowd went silent and no one dared to make a sound. Those who were able to enter Winthrop Group were basically graduates from prestigious colleges, so they were able to understand most of what the two were conversing about.
However, the thing they found most difficult to understand was not the conversation but the fact that Elspeth knew such a person. Also, from how Professor Andrew had greeted her, she was indeed Anny!
At that moment, Ava’s victorious mood instantly collapsed as she looked disbelievingly at the big screen. Looking at Elspeth, she felt herself crumbling into insanity. I lost. Completely.
Soon, Elspeth hung up the phone and glanced at the pale Ava with a smirk. “Do tell me, Ava. Am I plagiarizing if I’m inspired by my own creation?”
Ava had her mouth agape, but she could not utter a word at all.
On the other hand, the word ‘surprise’ was not enough to describe the feeling Callum had right now. Indeed, this woman will always bring me unexpected surprises.
“Ava Wiley, head to the finance department tonight to receive your salary and leave.” Callum despised having such arrogant people like Ava in the company. At last, he sealed her fate with one single sentence.
Now that the farce had ended, he decided to send Elspeth home, but she rejected his offer as she had something even more important to do. She came out of the door and ascended a car, which Harper had been waiting inside for a long time. “Elspeth, how’s your condition?”
She chuckled. “I’ve been alright for a while now. Let’s hurry up or we won’t make it before it ends.”
Nodding, Harper stomped on the accelerator and the car sped off.
The place they were heading to was an underground black market and there would be a high-tech computer being auctioned there tonight. It was said that the computer was left by the world’s best hacker and it was the only one of its kind.
She enjoyed tinkering with such things, so she needed to get that computer.
Arriving at the scene, they were lucky enough to make it before the last item was presented—the computer. The starting bid for it was ten million, which received a lot of responses from the crowd. Meanwhile, Elspeth stayed patient and waited until there were lesser bidders before starting her bid.
“A hundred and twenty million. Would anyone like to add to the bid?”
Harper slowly raised the paddle. “One hundred and thirty million.”
“A hundred and thirty million. Any more? A hundred and thirty million, once. A hundred and thirty million, twice. A hundred—”
“Two hundred million.”
The smile on Elspeth’s face froze and she looked over in the distance to see a very familiar figure. Unfortunately, there were many with glasses at the scene, so it was difficult for her to distinguish who it was.
“Three hundred million.” Harper continued to bid.
Three hundred million for a computer was slightly exaggerated, so the others stopped adding to the bid, except for that unfamiliar man with spectacles. He raised his paddle and said, “Four hundred million.”
Four hundred million? Turning to face Elspeth, Harper asked if she wanted to increase the price, but she shook her head and surrendered. “Let that person have it.”
With a tap of the mallet, he no longer raised his paddle and the computer now officially belonged to the other person. After the auction, he was about to send Elspeth home when they were blocked by a group of men as they arrived at the entrance.
The man in the lead was a man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pair of glasses. He was manifesting a temperament that indicated that he was no ordinary man. “Elspeth, it’s been a while.”
Even with the glasses on, Elspeth could recognize who it was at a glance. She suddenly called out in surprise, “Mark! Why are you in Damoria?”
They learned from the same master and were both top hackers.
Chuckling, Mark Griffin replied, “I’m here to get this computer. Have you forgotten? It’s your birthday in two days. I know this is right up your alley, so I came all the way to Chars just to get it.”
“How long will you be staying here?”
“Not long. I’m leaving tomorrow. I was planning to mail this to you, but it seems like I can just give it to you now.”
Feeling frustrated, Elspeth answered, “If I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have competed for it. It’s a waste of all that money.”
Mark caressed her head. “It’s alright. It’s just four hundred million. All that matters is that you’re happy.”
Meanwhile, a figure moved in the corner, but it quickly disappeared. The two spent some time chatting until Mark had to leave to catch his plane, so Elspeth returned to the Winthrop Residence.
Early the following day, Elspeth came downstairs for breakfast and was met with strange gazes from everyone.
Max snorted. “How surprising. You’re actually smart.”
She took a seat and ignored his sarcastic remark.
“Alright, stop it.” Theodore glared at Max and cleared his throat. “Since today’s the weekend, I’ve decided that we’re going hiking as a family.”
Pfft! Everyone on the scene dropped their jaws in shock.