Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
A splendid idea came to Elspeth’s mind.
“What do you mean?”
Isabel was baffled.
“You’re found dead in the fire.”
Isabel finally understood Elspeth’s words. Despite Elspeth’s confident smile, Isabel was jittery.
“Will it work? What if he finds out?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll ask someone to suppress the news. The crowd saw you taken to the hospital; everyone knows that you’ve suffered burns. We can fabricate a death certificate with the hospital’s help.”
Isabel shook her head.
“I know, but seeking help from the hospital? Are you certain that they will help us with that?”
Elspeth chuckled.
“I’m sure Arthur can make it happen.”
Isabel finally grasped the whole plan. Right, he’s a doctor! He can pull some strings to help us.
“So, am I going to leave the country with you guys?”
Anticipation laced her voice.
Smiling, Elspeth nodded and pinched the girl’s cheek.
“Yup. You’re going to reunite with Miss Joneson soon.”
“I thought you would’ve hated me for hogging your mother for so many years.”
The uncertain Isabel dared not look Elspeth in the eyes.
“Why would I hate you? Didn’t I say that I’m grateful to you for looking after my mother for so many years? I don’t hate you.”
Elspeth patted Isabel’s hand.
“I’m sorry for being petty in the past.”
Elspeth clasped Isabel’s hands.
“From now on, we’re a family. Let’s look forward to the good days ahead of us.”
…
Three days later, the group was all prepped to leave.
Under Elspeth’s arrangement, the news of Isabel’s ‘death’ reached the Jonesons’ ears yesterday. Michael was obviously uninterested in Isabel as he did not show any sincere concern.
When they arrived at the port, Elspeth saw Edmund’s man, who greeted her respectfully upon noticing her.
“You’re finally here, Miss Lynwood. Mr. Winthrop told me to escort you to the ship personally.”
She gave a flat response before following him while supporting Helena. At the same time, Arthur was assisting Isabel behind them.
Isabel was as slow as a tortoise due to her injuries. Arthur’s patience eventually ran thin, so he simply carried her. She gasped in surprise, and her cheeks turned crimson.
The four of them boarded the ship until they stopped in front of a VIP room under the usher’s lead.
“This is it. Mr. Winthrop told me to give you the best and most luxurious room we have.”
The usher flashed a pristine smile as his slick tongue was on the move.
Isabel shook her head.
“I know, but seeking help from the hospital? Are you certain that they will help us with that?”
“You may leave now. Oh, when you deliver meals, please just place the food outside and give me a knock.”
Elspeth did not wish anyone to disturb Helena.
With his top-notch service, the usher thought she would be flattered or would put in good words for him. However, her aloof attitude proved him wrong. In the end, he left without gaining any advantage.
Each of them had a room for themselves. Elspeth settled Helena down in the biggest room, and no one had objections.
Elspeth chose the outermost room, where it would be convenient to check on the situation; she would be able to sense danger if anything happened.
Thankfully, nothing happened in the few days spent on the ship.
It did not take them long to arrive at Sunholde. There was a driver waiting to drive them to the airport when they disembarked the ship. To their guess, it should be Edmund’s arrangement.
“I never knew that Edmund has this meticulous side, especially when it comes to girls. What a sight to behold,”
Arthur teased.
Elspeth’s tress fluttered along the wind. Instead of looking like a mess, she seemed like a maiden in a painted picture. She tugged her hair behind her ears, glaring at him.
“Zip it, and get in the car. It’s a 2.00PM flight. I won’t forgive you if you’re the reason that we’re late.”
“You’re no fun.”
With pouty lips, he slid into the car first.
His words rang into her ears as she flashed him a menacing smile.
“One more word from you and I’ll kick you out of the car.”
Arthur did not expect his hostage to overthrow him with such confidence.
“Fine, fine.”
He gave a languid response. Her bullying him did not displease him. In fact, he took pleasure in it.
How strange.
Not knowing what was going on with his emotional nuance, Elspeth was absorbed in her thoughts. We’ll be in Eden soon. How am I supposed to get along with Arthur? Am I going to continue being his fianc?e and marry him?
While jumbled thoughts filled her head, the car was driven away steadily.
After a layover flight, they arrived in Eden at long last. Arthur took them to his residence. Elspeth observed the huge mansion, and a dubious glint fleeted across her eyes.This is not a bungalow, but a manor. He spends most of his time in the country, though. How did he have the time and money to build such a spacious manor?”You rarely leave the country. How do you own such a big property here?”Ignoring her, he unlocked the door before leading Isabel and Helena into the house.”Arthur Winthrop, is this house on a lease?”
Elspeth followed them, shouting from behind.This idiot. Arthur’s face darkened as looked back at her.
“My dad bought it.”Dad? That unfamiliar address conjured Theodore’s face, but she soon recalled that Arthur was no longer one of the Winthrop Family.Does he mean Yoel Blue? she guessed while following them into the house.The interior design was not Arthur’s cup of tea. She once had the chance to visit his room in Winthrop Residence. The gray theme color in that room bore no warmth at all. Yet, the warm tone color in this manor could readily lift one’s spirits.”You guys can stay here for the time being. I don’t come here often.””Where will you stay?”
Elspeth was curious.Seeing how Elspeth was asking too much, Helena pulled the hem of Elspeth’s sleeve.
“Enough. We shouldn’t pry on Dr. Winthrop’s privacy as the guests. He must be busy with his work.”Guests? We are fugitives.Elspeth could never say that aloud, though. Meanwhile, Arthur raised his chin at her provocatively.”Fine. It’s none of my business even if he’s dead,”
she muttered under her breath.”Hey. Don’t say that. Apologize to Dr. Winthrop, hurry.”
Helena was livid this time. To her, Arthur was the person who helped them out; not only did he save her life, but he also helped her daughter and treated Isabel. She perceived him as a good person.Yet, her daughter was not grateful to him one bit.Elspeth lowered her head meekly in fear that her rebellion would result in Helena’s relapsing.
“I’m sorry, Arthur Winthrop. I shouldn’t have said that to you.”Although the short apology bore zero sincerity, it was enough since Arthur was not offended in the first place.
“It’s okay. Why would I fight over it with a kid?”She glared at him. Whom are you calling a kid?You. He returned her an indifferent look.She could not let the steam off in front of Helena no matter how angry she was. Thus, the agitated Elspeth headed upstairs with her luggage and cooped herself in a room she randomly chose.Helena sighed helplessly.
“Dr. Winthrop, Elsie’s always like this. I hope you won’t take it to the heart.””It’s okay. She’s cute.”
