Hiding Behind Her Superficiality Novel (Elspeth and Callum) - Season 1 Episode 67

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Margot shot Ophelia a look of admonishment. You should’ve told me so. Now, you made me misunderstand Elspeth.

“But… she doesn’t like me. I have no idea what to do. That was the only way to make her feel better.” Ophelia bit her lip. “Still, she wouldn’t forgive me.” She put on a victim act, trying to garner sympathy from Margot.

And it worked!

She’s not lying. A sigh escaped Margot’s lips. “You shouldn’t have beaten yourself up. That must’ve hurt, you silly girl.”

Elspeth arched her eyebrow. Gosh. She perfected the art of faking. Look at her, all frail and vulnerable.

“If that is all, you should leave. Get some rest, Mrs. Winthrop. You shouldn’t walk around too much,” said Elspeth coolly. She wanted them off.

Things were awkward for Margot, so she did not argue. Her prejudice led to a misunderstanding, then this mess happened. Now that Elspeth was chasing them off, she could only take Ophelia and leave.

Elspeth was about to take a nap, but not too long later, someone knocked again. “Come in.”

A frightened Lydia entered carefully and looked at Elspeth with guilt in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Elspeth. This is my fault. None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t insisted on going to work.”

“It’s alright. I offered my help and only got into this mess because I was careless. Don’t beat yourself up over it.” Elspeth grinned. At least she owns up to her mistakes.

“Oh, right.” She took out the silver ring and handed it to Elspeth. “I don’t want to work at the bar anymore. Can you help me out?” She looked at Elspeth with anticipation in her eyes.

Elspeth paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile. “Of course.” She whipped out her already prepared gold card and handed it to Lydia. “There’s about three hundred grand in there. PIN code’s the first six numbers of my phone number. Come to me if you need more money. You know where to find me.”

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Lydia held the card tightly, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you, Elspeth. I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

“It’s alright. I don’t need it. Just promise me you’ll focus on your studies, and don’t go to the bar. Any bar.”

“I understand.” She stared at the ground and muttered, “But my mother still needs a suitable bone marrow. I don’t know where to find one for her.”

“Leave it to me.” She called Harper and asked him to find a matching bone marrow for Lydia’s mother. He worked fast and returned with results half an hour later. Plus, the donor was close by. “Alright. Your mother’s surgery will happen in about half an hour.”

Filled with delight, Lydia gushed. “Really? Half an hour?”

“Yes, and she’ll have the best surgeon, I promise. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Lydia kneeled. “Thank you, Elspeth. I-I don’t know how to thank you. Just tell me if you need anything. I’ll do anything for you.”

Elspeth patted Lydia’s head with a smile. “Don’t overthink it. Just go to your mother.”

Lydia nodded and left the room wiping her tears away. Alright, I made a promise, so I have to go through with it.

Elspeth called Arthur, hoping he would do the operation. He might be young, but he was the most prominent doctor in the hospital, and he had talent far beyond most veteran doctors. He was a genius, so to speak.

“But what do I get from helping her mother?” He was smiling, but she noticed the underlying demand.

“Just a little help. Not like it’d kill you. Can’t you do something good for once?”

Arthur coolly asked, “And why should I do good?”

“Fine. Suit yourself.” She hung up. It’s not like there aren’t any other doctors who can help.

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Yet, before they could even go through with the surgery, Lydia made a sudden call and sobbed, “Elspeth, the doctor said my mother’s bleeding seriously. She’s going to die!”

“What?”

The first thought that went through Elspeth’s mind was that Arthur did it. However, she soon denied the idea. They had an emergency, and nobody in the hospital could help. She had no choice but to make the trip to his hospital.

“Can you save her mother?” she pleaded.

“I told you that you need to give me a reason to.” He leaned over and stared at her, smiling.

“What do you want? Just tell me.”

She was staring at him as well. Suddenly, she realized she might not have known Arthur at all. He wasn’t like this. He was kind and friendly, but now? Now, he’s nothing but a scummy businessman.

“I…” He heaved a deep breath. “I want you.”

“Why?” Her eyes widened.

He would not tell her the real answer, of course. Instead, he smiled. “I like you. Probably longer than Callum did.”

“You said you never liked me. Dating me was going to be hard for you.” Elspeth wondered what was going on in his mind. Weird. He doesn’t like me, but he still tries to get his hands on me.

Love welled in Arthur’s eyes. Not for her, but for something else. Yet, he said, “Of course, I like you. I was just answering your questions last time. Didn’t tell you my real answer.”

Ever since he found out Sonny was her mentor, he liked Elspeth even more. If he could get his hands on her, he could also use all the connections she had. It’d be great for me, but I have to take this slow. If I make one wrong move, she’ll know what I’m after. I need to make her fall for me. Hard. Slow.

“I can accept any condition, just not that.” She had no feelings for Arthur, so the prospect of dating him was a nightmare for her.

“But that’s the only thing I want.” He stretched his arms. “Think about it, but just a reminder—you don’t have much time. The girl’s mother will die soon. Tick-tock.”

Then, he smiled, much to Elspeth’s chagrin.

She felt anger coursing through her veins and spat. “I thought you were a doctor. This is not how a doctor should act.”