Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“That’s enough talking. I’ll take her to Grandpa while you wait for me by the lake. I’ll be there soon.”
Frank raised his chin toward Spencer.
After Spencer heard his words, he nodded and strode off.
Seeing that he was gone, Frank glared at Elspeth hatefully and said,
“Let’s go. You’d better watch your mouth when you’re in front of Grandpa.”
Hearing his words, Elspeth snorted and said,
“Mind your own business. I know the rules.”
“Whatever.”
Frank didn’t want to talk to her anymore and led her to the living room.
The living room was crowded with people, and everyone was curious about Elspeth whom they had never met. They had heard that she was outstanding and wanted to see just who she was.
When Elspeth stepped into the room, she wasn’t scared by the sight of them.
When the crowd saw her at first glance, they were amazed by her beauty. Then, they started having different thoughts in their mind.
With those looks, she was even prettier than Helena, also known as The Beauty of Blaydal. The people approved of her when they saw that she was bold and didn’t chicken out as she faced the crowd.
Is she the same person that the detective told us about? I thought Elspeth was a country bumpkin from a small village and knew nothing. However, by her looks, she doesn’t look like one.
Elspeth didn’t care about the others and only noticed the sixty-year-old man who sat in the middle of the living hall. He was looking at her with teary eyes.
Is he my grandfather, Michael, the head of the Joneson Family?
When Michael saw Elspeth, who looked similar to Helena, he was filled with emotions. However, he suppressed his excitement and asked,
“Are you Elspeth?”
“That’s right. Hello, old Mr. Joneson.”
Elspeth didn’t feel the familial bond with them and wondered if it was because she had never gotten in touch with them. On the contrary, she felt nauseous and resistant as she looked at Michael.
When Michael heard her words, disappointment flashed in his eyes. However, he quickly regained his composure and said,
“You should call me Grandfather, not old Mr. Joneson, Elspeth. Come here and let me have a good look at you. You are all grown up now.”
Then, he beckoned Elspeth to come over, but she didn’t move.
“What’s the matter?”
Elspeth suppressed the uneasy feeling in her and explained,
“I don’t like to be near strangers with whom I’m not familiar.”
“I understand.”
Michael nodded.
“After all, we have been separated for twenty years. It’s understandable if you don’t see me as your grandfather. However, we have everything you need. If you ever need anything, just tell me, and I will tell Mr. Wordsworth to get it.”
His words indicated that she would be living here.
However, Elspeth shook her head and said,
“I’m here today because old Mr. Joneson invited me to come. I have no purpose here and do not wish to become one of the Jonesons. I wish that you can leave me be.”
Everyone was surprised by how straightforward she was.
At that moment, Michael’s smile stiffened.
“What did you say?”
Elspeth gritted her teeth and repeated,
“I do not wish to become a part of the Joneson Family. I hope that you can understand this.”
“Leave? You’re my granddaughter, Elspeth. How can I bear to watch you staying outside all alone?”
Elspeth didn’t know if he was telling the truth, but she felt that he held extreme views, and so he was probably not benevolent.
“I don’t need the Joneson Family’s protection. I can protect myself.”
Michael snorted and said,
“Whose help do you need if not ours? The Winthrop Family’s? Mr. Wordsworth told me that you are engaged with Callum. I never understood what good you saw in him when he is nothing compared to you.”
In that split second, Elspeth knew why she had a nauseous feeling when she looked at him. When she heard his words, her face turned gloomy and she thought, He’s trying to control me by saying he cares for me. He looks like someone who wants all the power to himself.
“I have the right to choose whom I want to marry. It’s the 21st century, yet you still want to arrange my marriage for me?”
Elspeth retorted.
Her stubbornness shocked the crowd.
After all, aside from Frank, Elspeth was the only one who dared to talk back to Michael.
“Fine. I’ll leave that be, but you have to promise me that you will stay here.”
Is he putting me under house arrest? Elspeth’s face darkened even though she had expected the outcome.
“No. I can’t stay here, as I still have places to be.”
However, Michael wouldn’t approve of anyone disobeying him.
“Listen, Elspeth. If you be a good girl and stay here, nothing bad will happen to Callum,”
he said calmly as if he wouldn’t hurt Callum the moment Elspeth disagreed with him.
They are threatening me with Callum again. Elspeth knew that the Joneson Family had men in both law enforcement and the underworld. No one could compare to them in terms of power, nor would they be brave enough to challenge Michael.
Elspeth’s eyes darkened as she hummed in response.
Only then did Michael look happy and praise her for being obedient.
Frank suddenly said impatiently,
“Alright, that should be it. Can we leave if there is nothing more to say? Do we really have to put such a big effort into welcoming her?”
Frank was Michael’s favorite. Seeing that he was impatient, Michael stopped asking Elspeth questions and rolled his eyes at Frank.
“How can you say that? She’s your cousin! We will be family from now on!”
“Family? I doubt that she wants this.”
Frank snorted.
Although his words were harsh, he was saying what everyone already knew.
Seeing that Frank was about to fly into a rage, Michael didn’t argue with him. He then cleared his throat and said,
“Alright. Everyone get back to what they are doing. Frank, since Elspeth is unfamiliar with the surroundings, why don’t you take her for a stroll?”
“What? Why me?”
