Rayan's expression faltered. "I don't think that's possible."
His scimitar was a family heirloom that had been passed down for many generations. How could he easily give it away?
Elspeth looked disappointed at his answer. "That's a shame."
"Would you mind telling me why you want this scimitar?"
Rayan was extremely curious. This scimitar was just a plain weapon with a long history. Why was she interested in it right away?
Realizing her slip of the tongue, Elspeth covered her lips and sighed. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have asked you about this, but it particularly resembles one of my father's relics, so…"
Seeing Elspeth seemed to be in a bad mood, Rayan softened his tone and conceded, "However, it is not impossible. If you really like it, I'm willing to give it to you, but… I left the box I keep the scimitar in at home. Do you mind following me back to my house to retrieve it?"
The fact that Rayan was willing to relent was the best outcome she could achieve.
When she saw the look of triumph that he failed to hide in his eyes, Elspeth knew that this would not just be a mere trip, but she nodded happily. "I don't mind at all. I couldn't be happier that you're willing to give it to me, so how could I refuse to accompany you on this trip?"
"That's great. Let's go together."
The two quickly left the restaurant. When they arrived at the entrance, Elspeth subconsciously looked toward the spot where Callum had parked his car, only to realize he was no longer there.
When did Callum leave?
Before she could figure it out, Rayan courteously opened the car door and invited her in.
"Let's go, Miss Lynwood."
Elspeth nodded, thinking that she didn't have the time to worry about Callum at the moment, and followed him into the car.
They drove all the way to a place she had never been before, and as the car drove on, her fingers kept fumbling with the ring in her hand.
After seeing her behavior, Rayan assumed that she was nervous and smiled at her reassuringly. "Don't worry, Miss Lynwood. I won't harm you."
Elspeth returned a gentle smile and said, "Of course."
Of course, Rayan did not know that she was sending her location to Callum and attempting to establish contact with him. He hadn't been sending any messages to her, and it made her a little frantic. However, it was not a big problem. Even without Callum, she would be able to complete her mission successfully.
The Adlers were a long-established family with centuries of heritage, and the outside of the villa alone was as resplendent as a castle. It looked to be of medieval Gothic architecture, and the building was painted in a gloomy and eerie color.
Rayan stepped out of the car first and said, "Miss Lynwood, this is my house. I'll take you in now, and you'll be treated as a VIP guest here."
After leading her into the villa, Rayan took her to the parlor.
The moment Elspeth stepped inside, her face instantly tensed up. Unexpectedly, the person sitting in the first seat on the right-hand side was Callum, the man who had suddenly lost contact with her.
Just then, Callum noticed her as well, but there was no change in his expression as if they didn't know each other very well.
Rayan felt a trace of doubt regarding the man in front of him. His father was sitting in the head seat, so he politely asked, "Father, may I know who this man is?"
Inexplicably, he could sense a trace of displeasure from the handsome Charic man.
"This is our esteemed guest who's here to discuss a business collaboration with us. His maternal grandmother is a good friend of your grandfather."
His words stunned Elspeth. This was her first time finding out that Callum had such a background.
Callum said calmly, "That's mostly it. I wish to work with you, but under the condition that you hand your family's scimitar to me."
Elspeth was taken aback. Callum wants this scimitar too?
Rayan instantly turned displeased when he heard this. "Father, this scimitar is our family heirloom. How can we simply give it to a stranger?"
He had just promised to give this scimitar to Elspeth. If his father gave this away to someone else, he figured she would look down on him.
After seeing that his son was embarrassing him in front of other people, Andreas Adler instantly boiled with anger. "You're still young, so don't you go interfering in this matter."
Rayan immediately clutched the scimitar tightly in his hand. "I refuse!"
At once, Elspeth felt a headache coming on. If Callum had not intervened, she might have gotten the scimitar long ago. Now, she was put in a spot, and she had no idea what to do.
"So what if you refuse? Someone, come and take him away. I don't want him embarrassing me in front of my guest."
After the order from Andreas, several burly men emerged from the surroundings to drag Rayan away.
Rayan tried to resist but found that he was unable to break free with his strength and could only leave helplessly. Before he was taken away, he looked at Elspeth with a guilty gaze, as if to express his apologies.
However, Elspeth did not notice his glance. As she watched him being dragged away like a lump of meat, a look of disdain flashed past her eyes. What a sh*t show, she thought.
However, she soon became awkward and was just about to turn around and take her leave when the man behind her called out to her, stopping her in her tracks.
"Are you my son's new lover?" Andreas asked bluntly, clearly used to this situation.
All of a sudden, Elspeth felt as if she had been humiliated, and her smile dropped from her face. "No, I'm just a guest he invited. Since he already left, I won't stay any longer. Farewell."
What new lover? I'm speechless! Andreas scoffed and watched her leave.
After Elspeth left, he smiled helplessly at Callum. "I'm truly sorry. My son is used to being capricious, and he brings his women home every day. My sincere apologies for the unpleasant experience."
Andreas referring to Elspeth as Rayan's woman made Callum furious, but he said, "It's fine. He just needs to be disciplined."
"Then, about the collaboration you mentioned earlier…"
Callum smiled faintly. "We'll do as you said. The Winthrop Family is willing to make a deal with you at a loss."
"That's brilliant."
Andreas raised his wine glass toward him with a hearty laugh and downed it in one go.
"By tomorrow, I'll definitely deliver the scimitar to your residence."
Callum nodded and rose to his feet. "In that case, I shall stop disturbing you and take my leave."
After bidding Andreas goodbye, Callum had just left the villa when he saw a familiar figure under a nearby tree.
At the sight of Callum, Elspeth immediately widened her eyes in anger and demanded, "Do you have any idea what situation you've put me in now?"
"What else do you want me to do? Watch as another man fools around with my woman?" Callum's eyes darkened as he spoke. "I'm not that magnanimous."
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