Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“It’s no big deal. Find new resources to fill the vacancy immediately.”
Those words sounded as though she planned for this very scenario in advance, but why would she even entertain the idea of dismissing a cash cow like Jethro?
Harper was greatly puzzled until he noticed Callum, who was sauntering behind Elspeth. Callum’s appearance answered all the doubts in his mind instantly.
It’s definitely that man again. I’m sure he is affecting Elsie’s ability to earn money.
He rolled his eyes and gave Callum an annoyed glare. Then, he finally shook his head and left.
Callum scowled. “What’s up with him?”
Elspeth had worked with Harper for a long time. So, she naturally understood what he was thinking at this moment. Nonetheless, she would never tell Callum about those thoughts. Otherwise, she would have to face another round of torture.
“He might be having a bad day today, and everybody just annoys him when he’s in a mood. It’s fine, don’t worry about him. Let’s head to the office.”
After she said that, she dragged Callum into the office without giving him the chance to resist.
Alas, when she pushed the office door open, she was greeted with a familiar figure lounging inside the office.
Frank was sitting at the desk, leisurely munching on a bunch of grapes. When he saw Elspeth and Callum together in the same room, he couldn’t hide the trace of disbelief that swept across his face.
“I can’t believe you reconciled so quickly. I thought it would take a while longer. Amazing! Your methods are amazing indeed, Callum.”
When Elspeth heard Frank’s words, she couldn’t help but feel that something was odd. Why does it feel as though they not only knew each other but also had a close relationship with each other?
She closed the door behind her and asked seriously, “Do you have some sort of connection with each other behind my back?”
He had a slip of the tongue and accidentally blurted out the truth. “You might not know, but this guy is very cunning. Do you remember the last time your company was in trouble? Although he pretended to be cold and kept his distance from you, he flew to Blaydal and asked us to help your company through the difficult period that very night.”
She was slightly taken aback by the revelation. It had never occurred to her that something like that had taken place. Regardless, when she turned to look at Callum in bewilderment, Callum did not seem overly surprised by the situation.
“That’s not all. All the money used to help your company came directly from his own pocket. I was wondering how a man like him could be so stupid. But now, I can see that it was all just a strategy to capture your heart.” Frank rubbed his chin and looked pensive. “Not bad. He has all the qualifications to be your suitor. Not only does he have good looks, but he also has wealth and brains. A man like him is not easy to find. As your uncle, I am fully in favor of you being together in a relationship.”
“Did you sell me out just like that, Frank? Why didn’t you tell me about this incident at the time?”
Elspeth stared at Frank’s face with a sinister smile.
“Why would I tell you about it? It would just mess up Callum’s plans if I told you anything. Come on… I did that for the sake of your future happiness.”
His expression seemed to say that she should be touched by his selfless sacrifice. Regardless, she was filled with an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face when she noticed that particular expression.
“If something like that happens once more… If you keep me in the dark again, I will punch you in the face.”
Frank rolled his eyes and decided to abandon his act. “Whatever. In any case, I received a lot of benefits from Mr. Winthrop.”
Callum coughed lightly. “He’s exaggerating. I only gave him a car.”
“It’s a discontinued model! You call that nothing?! If you give me another one, I will give you all the information you want on my useless little sister!”
Frank winked wickedly, which only increased Elspeth’s need to give him a beating.
“Frank!”
He shrank back slightly with an embarrassed look on his face at her angered yell, seemingly realizing that he had probably gone a bit overboard.
“Let’s talk in secret over the phone next time. We should avoid her, lest she gets mad again.”
Elspeth strode forward and slammed her palm against the table. “Frank, if you utter another word of nonsense, I’m going to catapult you back to Blaydal right now.”
“Why are you like this… How boring…” Frank muttered under his breath. Still, he knew that he had truly gone overboard this time, so he obediently shut his mouth.
Callum watched the two of them messing around with each other and suddenly felt that giving away a car in exchange for information might not be a bad idea after all. He had harbored some complaints about Frank in the past, but he was starting to actually like Frank.
“I think he’s right.”
Callum’s statement aroused a strong sense of dissatisfaction in Elspeth. “It’s bad enough when he was messing around by himself. So, why are you joining him?”
“But he is speaking the truth. We are really a good match for each other.”
Frank raised his chin and confidently said, “Of course. You are the best-matched couple I’ve ever seen. I won’t allow any external factors to destroy your relationship.”
His words sounded as though there was another meaning behind them.
Elspeth instantly sensed that something was not quite right. “What do you mean?”
He thought it over for a moment and explained slyly, “Somebody sent you a resignation letter by email earlier. I happened to read the email. Let me tell you; the words were practically dripping with jealousy. I could tell that he had ulterior motives with just a glance. So, I immediately approved the resignation and replied with two simple words-‘Get lost’.”
The instant Frank’s words registered in the other two’s minds, Elspeth and Callum immediately entertained various ulterior motives of their own.
Elspeth gasped in astonishment when she thought about the repercussions of Frank’s actions. If the walking time bomb, Jethro, had seen the email, he would probably regard her as a heartless and cruel person.
As for Callum… When he heard that his uncle had worked so hard to solve a massive problem for him, he immediately decided to gift the car to Frank.
“Please don’t take such liberties again. At least inform me about the situation beforehand.”
Elspeth sighed in resignation. At this point, those words might just be the final push needed for Jethro to give up on her completely.
In any case, she did not know whether she had made the correct decision.
Frank nodded and seemed somewhat absent-minded. “Okay, okay. But I have a question for you.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “What is it?”
“That is… Do you have a woman called Agnes Braille working at your company? Can you give me her contact details?”
Agnes Braille? How did Agnes get into trouble with this devil in disguise?
Still, she noticed that he did not seem to hold a grudge against Agnes, so she couldn’t resist probing further, “What grudge do you have against Agnes?”
Her response immediately elicited a sharp retort from Frank, “Do I look like such a troublemaker?”
“Why else would you suddenly demand her contact information? She is a good and honest woman.”
“It’s… Oh, just leave me alone. Can’t you just give me her contact information?”
Elspeth had never seen the abnormal flush that crept up Frank’s face before, but she immediately understood the reason behind his strange request.
“I can give you her contact information… On one condition.”
Frank quirked a seemingly disinterested eyebrow at those words, but his voice betrayed his anticipation, “Speak. What is your condition?”
“You are not allowed to give any of my information to Callum!”
He glanced at Callum, who was standing nearby. Then, he looked back at Elspeth with a troubled expression. “Are you blackmailing me?”
“That depends on how you look at it. But, of course, if you truly want Agnes’ contact information, you should know how to make that happen, yes?” Elspeth merely sniffed proudly and tilted her head at him.
She took a seat on the couch and crossed her legs elegantly. Her posture screamed nonchalance, as though she was confident that he would give in to her demands.
“Fine. In that case, I have to apologize to Callum…”
She nodded with a smug smile upon receiving a satisfactory answer. Then, she tapped on her phone lightly with her fingertips and sent him Agnes’ phone number.
Frank narrowed his eyes at the sight of Agnes’ profile picture in the background. Meanwhile, several schemes began forming in his mind.
Since he had gotten what he wanted, he rose to his feet and prepared to leave. “In that case, I won’t disturb your alone time together any longer. I have some urgent business to deal with, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
She couldn’t bring herself to expose his lies when she saw his impatient and excited expression painted across his face. It was clear he wanted to leave and possibly bother poor Agnes.
“Fine. Go ahead.”
