Hiding Behind Her Superficiality novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Refusing to Sign the Contract
The day of Max’s birthday soon came, and the Winthrops invited Ophelia to attend the birthday party.
When Max opened the gift from Ophelia during the gift-opening segment, he exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, this racing suit is really nice! Thank you so much! I hope you brought it without breaking your bank account.”
Ophelia smiled. “You’re welcome. It’s not very expensive.” Then, she cast a smug glance at Elspeth.
When it came to Elspeth’s gift, it was merely a tiny box.
“Elspeth, don’t you think you’re a little too stingy—” Ophelia feigned confusion as she started bringing Elspeth’s so-called ‘miserliness’ to light.
Max unwrapped the gift and saw a car key inside. “Oh my goodness!” he shrieked in excitement. “This is my favorite car! This is the only one in the world, and you can’t buy it even if you have all the money in the world! Elspeth, you’re the best! How did you pull this off?!”
Max was ecstatic. For him, this gift was the best present he had received!
Ophelia looked at the racing suit and quickly realized that her gift was the shabby one in comparison.
“Well, Miss Fleming, you are wealthy indeed to think of my gift as nothing,” Elspeth mocked.
Ophelia lowered her head in embarrassment as she glared fiercely at Elspeth.
Callum’s gift was the segment’s finale, and Max highly anticipated just what he would receive this year. So, when he unwrapped the square box, he was surprised when he saw that all it contained was an asset transfer contract.
“You’ve always liked Death Canyon, haven’t you? You’re an adult from today onwards, so this is my welcome gift to the adult world.” The gift from Callum was equally surprising.
As a result, Callum’s generosity made the presents Max had received from Edmund, Arthur, and Blake seem less note-worthy.
When the party ended, Theodore asked the driver to send Ophelia home. As she gazed at the sky outside, she muttered, “Mr. Winthrop, can you please let Callum send me home? It’s getting dark outside, and I’m a little scared.”
“Sorry,” Callum politely refused, “I may not have time to send you home because there are some things I need to deal with later.”
“Is that so…” Ophelia smiled awkwardly. “Okay then. I’d better go back by myself.”
“Callum!” Margot snapped in dismay. “Ophelia has requested you to send her home. Go.”
“But, Mom—” Callum’s eyes sank in displeasure, and he remained unmoved.
“No buts! Are you trying to piss me off?!” Margot barked furiously, covered her chest, and began to gasp. “Sooner or later, I’ll die of a heart attack because of all of you!”
Her threat worked as Callum reluctantly sent Ophelia home.
Along the way, Ophelia, who sat in the front passenger seat, lowered her head shyly. “Callum, thanks for sending me home.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just doing what I was told.” He focused on the road and did not even bat an eye at her.
She was taken aback by his cold attitude. Then, she bit her lower lip and muttered, “Y-You liked me very much when we were kids, though. You often held my hand, took me to the playground, and dined in nice restaurants. Have you forgotten?”
He pursed his lips in annoyance. “That was all in the past. Also, you’re younger than me, so I should take care of you.”
“But, I—” She suddenly turned her head, her eyes full of tears. “I like you! I have liked you for almost ten years.”
“What?!” A trace of surprise flashed across his eyes.
“Yes, I liked you from the first moment I saw you. I liked to cling to you all the time when we were young. Can’t you see that? I always thought you would marry me, so my dream since I was a kid was to marry you.”
Her affectionate confession didn’t touch him as he replied seriously, “Ophelia, forget about me and like someone else.”
“No!” She suddenly leaned forward and wanted to kiss him, but he shoved her away.
“Ophelia, I hope you can come to your senses. We can’t be together.” Callum’s eyes were hooded with coldness. “If you can’t change your mind, it’d be better for us not to contact each other.”
Soon, they arrived at the Flemings’ house. He motioned her to get out of the car and then left decisively.
As she glared at his car, she stomped her feet in a huff, and her resentment coiled around her heart like poison ivy.
It must be because of that b*tch Elspeth! He would not have been so indifferent to her had it not been for Elspeth! You’re so dead, Elspeth!
It was already 1.00AM when Callum finally returned home. When Elspeth came downstairs to drink water, she saw him and snorted, “Oh, you’re finally home, huh?”
He did not answer her question. Instead, he asked, “Why are you still awake?”
“I’m thirsty. What? Did you think that I would be waiting for your return, your highness?”
Her remark irritated him, and he frowned. “Don’t stay up too late. We need to sign a contract with the business partner tomorrow, and you’re coming with me.” With that, he went straight to his room without waiting for her reply.
Punctuality was of paramount importance to the partner. Therefore, they rose with the sun and went straight to the hotel where they had arranged to meet.
The potential business partner for this project was Alphascape Group, which specialized in the jewelry industry. Alphascape Group was the only company in the market which could compete with Azure Corporation.
The vice president of Alphascape Group, Dominic Little, personally came to discuss the contract, but he kept glancing at Elspeth and checking out her body while reading the contract. “I’ve read the contract. It’s well written. Miss Lynwood, did you write this?”
Dominic stared straight at Elspeth with a lecherous grin on his face. She was utterly disgusted by his behavior so far, but she suppressed her emotions and nodded. “Yes, I did, but if you have any criticism, please let us know. We will discuss it now.”
Dominic suddenly extended his hand and grabbed Elspeth’s hand. “Miss Lynwood, you’re so polite and graceful. How about I invite you to dinner, and we can discuss the contract privately.”
Callum felt the rage burning inside him as he glared at the chubby hand pawing at Elspeth’s hand. So, he pulled her into his arms and said, “Mr. Little, why don’t you discuss this matter with me? She’s my fiancée, so I know what her plans are.”
Fiancée?! Elspeth’s eyes widened in bewilderment, but to avoid being taken advantage of by this pervert and get the contract signed as soon as possible, she bit the bullet and leaned against Callum.
Dominic’s face turned gloomy. “Oh? I didn’t know that the two of you were engaged.”
“We will be engaged sooner or later,” Callum quipped in a deep voice.
“This meeting is such a disappointment.” Dominic muttered in displeasure, “I think there is no need for the collaboration to continue.”
Elspeth huffed in derision at his comment, “Mr. Little, we’ve spent a week drafting this contract, but now, you’re going to overturn the contract just because you’re upset?!”
“This project is a dime a dozen for us. The profit isn’t eye-catching enough for the Alphascape Group!”
After he said this, he stood up and walked away, but after taking a few steps, he stopped in his tracks and grinned at Elspeth. “But, Miss Lynwood, there is room for discussion if you come to see me in person.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary, Mr. Little.”
Elspeth’s cold expression irritated Dominic, who scowled. “Hmph! If that’s the case, we will never collaborate with the Winthrops from now on!”