Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
Seeing that, Elspeth understood instantly and smiled as she hugged Isabel. “From today onward, you’ll be my little sister. My real little sister. If you want, you can change your name to Isabel Lynwood. I’ll take care of you from now on.”
After hearing that, Isabel’s heart was pounding. She never expected that Elspeth wouldn’t blame her for telling Helena those words. Instead, Elspeth even offered to take care of her.
“Thank you, Elspeth.”
Afterward, Elspeth looked at her, then at Gilbert standing nearby, and said in a low voice, “I think you’ve been here for a long time. You must be tired. Let Gilbert take you to rest. I’ll stay here and keep watch.”
Gilbert initially wanted to refuse, but he immediately understood what she meant and nodded in agreement. “Sure.”
Elspeth wanted to be alone and spend some time with Helena. Soon, Isabel was also tactful and left the room.
Then, Elspeth looked at Helena’s body and couldn’t help but sigh. “Mom, you’re as stubborn as I am.”
…
In the meantime, Gilbert accompanied Isabel on her exit. As soon as they stepped outside and inhaled the crisp air, she recalled that his clothes were still in her room. So, she ran to get his clothes.
When she came out with his suit jacket, she saw him leaning against a tree trunk by the door, smoking with an elegant posture but with a hint of melancholy. Due to its suffocating and detrimental effects, she disliked the scent of cigarette smoke. In contrast, when he smoked, she detected an indescribable allure about him. She felt a bit shy as she handed him the jacket.
“This is your jacket. You lent it to me last time, and I’ve washed and ironed it. Here it is.”
On the other hand, he had already forgotten about that incident, but seeing the clean and neatly folded jacket she handed him, he was touched.
“Thank you,” Gilbert said. When he noticed Isabel’s awkward expression, he realized she might be shy and uncomfortable, so he refrained from saying anything further.
Hearing that, she nodded and pursed her lips, not saying anything. The atmosphere between them was a bit strange.
Eventually, he broke the silence. “You know, Miss Joneson was a brilliant person.”
When she suddenly heard those words, her mind was occupied with the charm of his voice. She didn’t catch what he said and only made an “ah” sound without responding.
“I said Miss Joneson was brilliant. When you went to work at Luna Bar, she already guessed what was happening, but she didn’t stop you. Everything happened as she planned. I found you there and found her, and when Elspeth found out, Miss Joneson had already left.”
Although this sounded a bit mystic, the na?ve Isabel couldn’t help but show an expression of disbelief. “So, you mean Miss Joneson had already planned everything and was waiting for us to fall into her trap?”
She thought momentarily and realized that Helena had probably been planning it for a long time. With that, she felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
“Yes, that’s what I mean. Although this is my guess, my guess is not wrong.
She nodded and was able to recall some things from her memory. Many things that had seemed confusing to her before suddenly became clear in her mind. “I also remember something. Miss Joneson rarely let me go out before, but I’ve been working so far away recently, and she had been turning a blind eye to it.”
“Yes, because she knew that place was under Elspeth’s turf, she could let you go without worrying. Unfortunately, she didn’t know that Elspeth hadn’t been there recently, so you might have had a few tough days. Fortunately, you ran into me.”
After Gilbert finished speaking, he looked at Isabel’s face and asked, “How have these few days been? Have you been bullied while working at the bar?”
Hearing the caring tone, she suddenly became nervous and stuttered, “I-I’m fine. I did meet some people who weren’t nice, but I handled it.”
How could she work at a bar and not encounter any perverts? She would hide and pretend to be sick if she couldn’t. In any case, those people didn’t really force themselves on her.
When she saw how surprised Gilbert looked, her heart beat faster. “I’m fine.”
“Thank goodness you are. I was so scared that Elspeth would get upset with me for not taking care of you.”
He had been in charge of the bar all this while. If Elspeth’s precious sister was neglected, he would be done for.
Isabel felt disappointed after hearing what he said. It turned out that he was concerned about her because of Elspeth, whereas she thought he had other intentions.
Seeing the change on her face, Gilbert assumed she recalled her previous bad experiences, so he quickly comforted her, “Don’t worry. You will be Elspeth’s sister soon. You’re a precious charm, you know? No one will dare to bully you. Otherwise, you can tell them that you’re acquainted with me. I’ll be able to ensure your safety.”
Isabel could tell that all Gilbert cared about was Elspeth, seeing how he repeatedly mentioned her name. The affectionate feeling that she felt for him earlier was instantly shattered into pieces.
However, she wouldn’t take anything that belonged to Elspeth, including her feelings.
“I know. Thanks, Gilbert.”
With a smile, she thanked him softly.
Elspeth and Gilbert… sound like a good match, Gilbert mused. His affection for Isabel instantly increased a little.
“Come on. Let me take you to dinner. You must be hungry after staying for so long.”
Isabel accepted his kindness without hesitation. “Sure. Thanks, Gilbert.”
Gilbert sent a text to Elspeth to inform her that he would be taking Isabel for lunch. After that, he left the sanatorium with Isabel.
…
Eventually, Elspeth decided to send Helena’s corpse to Joneson Residence. To be able to return to Joneson Residence should be what Helena wanted the most.
Elspeth entrusted Gilbert to take care of Isabel for a few days while she brought the body to Blaydal. At the entrance, Elspeth knocked on Joneson Residence’s door.
Michael nearly fainted after discovering the news, so it was Frank who came to pick Elspeth up as he sent someone else to take over the corpse.
When the two met, Frank noticed traces of weariness and fatigue on Elspeth’s face. He couldn’t help feeling bad for her. “Have you been doing well?”
She was indeed thin since young, but when he met her this time, he noticed she had lost weight again.
Fronk smiled. “Sure. Come with me.”
While the two shuffled through Joneson Residence, they bumped into mony people in the house. All of them hod their heods lowered, not doring to speok.
She was indeed thin since young, but when he met her this time, he noticed she had lost weight again.
He knew that he had just asked a dumb question because anyone sensible could tell how much she had suffered.
“I’m fine.” Elspeth offered him a smile, but her voice sounded thin and spiritless.
“I know Aunt Helena’s death has taken a toll on you. Just cry if you’re sad. It’s okay. I won’t laugh at you.” Frank could tell she was suppressing her feelings, so he persuaded her awkwardly.
“I already cried a lot. I think it’s enough.” Elspeth chuckled and flicked his head. “Do I look that fragile?”
He rolled his eyes. “I was simply trying to console you. Why’d you have to flick my head? What a heartless woman.”
Elspeth felt much more comfortable hearing him say that. “What are we going to do with Grandfather?”
Frank felt a headache when he recalled the situation. “Grandpa heard the news when he was chatting with a few guests in the living room and immediately fainted. He’s awake now, but he refuses to meet anyone. I suppose he’s in a depressing mood right now, so maybe you should visit him. I’m sure he wants to meet you even though he doesn’t want to meet others.”
Does he want to see me? Elspeth felt puzzled. “You know he hasn’t liked me since the beginning.”
“That’s just what he shows. Who knows if he truly feels that way? He has always been arrogant, weird, and stubborn. He can’t stand others disobeying him and even though he did make you suffer a few times, his intention was never to hurt you, was it?”
Elspeth looked down at her toes. To be honest, she had no affection for the Joneson Family at all. Except for Frank who more or less made her feel the warmth of family affection, she didn’t care about the rest at all, not to mention Michael, who always tried to oppress her.
“I’ll go and meet him right now.”
She didn’t believe Frank’s words but merely wanted to have a good talk with Michael instead. On one hand, she wanted to help him get over her mother’s death, and on the other hand, she also wanted to know more about her mother.
Frank smiled. “Sure. Come with me.”
While the two shuffled through Joneson Residence, they bumped into many people in the house. All of them had their heads lowered, not daring to speak.
“What’s going on? Why do they look like they’re intimidated by me?” Watching the abnormal reactions on those people’s faces, Elspeth found it strange and funny.
“What’s going on? Why do they look like they’re intimidated by me?” Watching the abnormal reactions on those people’s faces, Elspeth found it strange and funny.
Frank’s expression was also slightly strange, but he made her ignore them.
Elspeth nodded thoughtfully, took a few steps forward, and suddenly overheard a conversation occurring behind the rockery.
“Do you think Miss Lynwood is cursed? Why is everyone related to her always getting involved in accidents?”
