Hiding Behind Her Superficiality

Chapter 397

Chapter 397 Margot’s Birthday

Callum stood by the company’s entrance in a well-fitted black suit in front of his car. He looked like he had just left work.

His eyelids were slightly lowered. With his tall nose bridge and pale, thin lips, every contour and line of his face looked gentle, yet laced with a sharp coldness.

Standing not far away and looking at him, Elspeth felt a myriad of emotions flood her chest.

Callum’s still eyes were colder than usual when he took a moment to look her up and down. He finally hissed in an annoyed voice, “Why are you standing so far away? Do you think I’m going to eat you?”

For some reason, although he clearly sounded sick of her behavior from his tone, she didn’t feel the slightest discomfort of being loathed.

She obediently took a few steps forward. After doing this, she wanted nothing more than to hit herself on the forehead and crack it open to see what was going on in her mind.

I’m doing everything he tells me to do! Am I really lovestruck?!

The man in front of her had also taken a step closer to her while she was quietly chastising herself.

With his tall and big build, he appeared to be looking down at her as he stood in front of her.

“Is there something you need me for?”

He wouldn’t come just to take a look at her now, would he?

His thin and sharp black eyes narrowed slightly. “We’re celebrating my mother’s birthday tonight. You’re invited.”

Hearing that, Elspeth pressed her lips together before asking, “Why am I invited to your mother’s birthday?”

Margot already knew that the two of them didn’t have anything to do with each other anymore.

Callum had already briefly explained his situation, but seeing how indifferent she still was, he said in a cold voice, “She just wants to see you.”

It wasn’t like she deliberately wanted to refuse. It was just that the two of them had nothing to do with each other now. It was obvious that her being there would make it awkward.

She tried to negotiate again. “Can I not go?”

Callum had already turned around and got into the car without saying a word by the time she looked up again.

Just when she thought that her communication with him was futile and that he was about to drive away, he suddenly lowered the car window. A familiar low voice then rang out from inside the car. “Call her and tell her yourself.”

The corners of her mouth twitched then. Considering how well Margot treated her, she couldn’t bring herself to give Margot a call to reject the request.

After pondering it, she decided to attend her birthday party.

“Can you drive me there?” She looked at him with earnest eyes.

She might be late if she got a taxi now during what was possibly the peak hour.

She thought about it for a second and must have been worried that he might misunderstand when she honestly explained, “I’m not trying to take advantage of you, nor do I want to have any other ideas. It’s just that there is too much traffic at the moment. I might reach there late if I take a taxi.”

There was a sudden movement from the initially expressionless person when his eyes, as dark as the abyss, looked at her deeply. “Why do you think I came here?” he asked in return.

When the realization abruptly hit her, she no longer hesitated as she opened the door to the backseat and got in.

However, the car showed no signs of moving even after a minute.

“Aren’t we going to your house? Why aren’t we moving?” Elspeth was somewhat puzzled. Did he run out of gas?

The man only spoke in a low and cold voice after some time had passed. “Why are you in the backseat?”

“I saw something in the passenger seat. I think there’s a note written by Miss McGrath, saying it’s a special seat for Jasmine McGrath. I’m afraid it’s not right for me to sit there.” Elspeth’s voice grew softer with each word she said.

She noticed the note seemingly drawn in a haste using lipstick the moment the car window was rolled down earlier. The delicate and elegant handwriting looked like that of a woman’s.

She couldn’t find the words to describe how she felt, but it was a wretched feeling in her chest.

This used to be your seat, Callum thought. However, he quickly swallowed those words just as he was about to say them.

Instead, he replied, “Okay.”

Then, he stepped on the accelerator and drove off.

The two of them were silent along the way, and when they arrived at the Winthrop Residence, Elspeth was the first to get out of the car.

Callum followed closely behind, but he constantly kept a distance that was neither too far nor close to her. They looked restrained and distant from one another.

As soon as they stepped into the gate of the Winthrop Residence, Ms. Layme greeted them with a smile at the entrance when she saw the two of them coming back together. “Mr. Callum! Mrs. Winthrop! You came back together.”

The way Ms. Layme addressed her sent a chill down Elspeth’s back.

After a momentary pause, she corrected, “Ms. Layme, Callum and—”

Ms. Layme didn’t seem to care about what she said when she abruptly showed them the beef ribs she was washing in her hand. “I’m making braised beef ribs tonight. It’s Mr. Callum’s and your favorite! You must eat more, okay?”

After saying that, she lowered her head and continued to get busy.

Elspeth seemed to realize something suddenly. She was silent for a long time before she asked, “Have you never brought Jasmine home?”

Callum didn’t seem to bother about this. “We aren’t ready yet. I’ll bring her home after some time,” he answered in an indifferent voice.

Elspeth didn’t know what she was expecting, but the disappointment that suddenly surged left her at a loss.

“Alright.”

She then continued to walk ahead.

They didn’t invite friends over to celebrate Margot’s birthday. It was only a meal together with the rest of the family.

That was why Elspeth saw only familiar faces sitting in the room when she walked in.

“Miss Elspeth! You’re here!” Max, who was in a great mood upon seeing her, welcomed her without any hesitation.

He had always been friendly toward her.

“Miss Elspeth, sit here and wait for a while. Yelena will be here soon.”

He had revealed the surprise to her in advance.

“She is my mother’s daughter-in-law-to-be after all. It’s only right for me to introduce her to the family. I’ve been so busy preparing for this the past few days that I’ve neglected her. I told her that I came here to pick up something. Don’t tell her the truth! This is her first visit to my house. I have to give her a big surprise!”

Elspeth suddenly understood the reason Yelena had been in a bad mood for days now. So, this brat has been making his preparations, huh? Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

After they had a brief conversation, Elspeth shifted her gaze to Edmund.

She didn’t think he would be here. From the rumors she heard, the Cole Family had been keeping him occupied as they were training him to be their successor.

He didn’t seem that different from before, but the mocking smile that used to hang on his lips all day long had faded by a lot.

He looked more mature and prudent now.

“Long time no see, Elspeth.”

She smiled at him despite feeling somewhat awkward seeing him. After all, the two of them had a fallout before, and she even faked her death.

“I always knew that you were this amazing, Elspeth, but I didn’t know that you could even come back from the dead.”

Hearing those sardonic words that she was used to gave her a feeling of familiarity. Just like that, the awkwardness and nervousness left her body.

“Alright, alright. It’s true that I didn’t execute it well. You win.”

She then flashed him an amiable smile.

Max quickly chirped, “Oh, Miss Elspeth! If only you knew how sharp his tongue still is. I think you’re the only one able to keep him in check!”

“Hahaha!” Everyone else laughed heartily when they heard that.

“Everyone sounds so happy! I hope my being here doesn’t ruin the mood.”

It was a familiar voice which unfriendliness and gentleness Elspeth knew well.

Elspeth whipped her head around, and that was when she saw Arthur standing not far away. He was coldly looking at everyone with scrutinizing eyes.